Speech (Steamhammer album)

Speech
Studio album by
Steamhammer
ReleasedEarly 1972
RecordedWinter 1971
GenreProgressive rock
Label
  • Brain
  • Metronome
Producer
Steamhammer chronology
Mountains
(1970) 		Speech
(1972) 		Wailing Again
(2022)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Speech is the fourth album by the British rock band Steamhammer.

In 1971, bassist Steve Davy left the band, and Louis Cennamo was recruited as his replacement - then, vocalist/guitarist Kieran White also left after a summer tour. Guitarist Martin Pugh, drummer Mick Bradley and Cennamo (with guest vocalist Garth Watt-Roy, of Fuzzy Duck) then went in the studio to record Speech, which was released in 1972. It consisted of three lengthy (and mostly instrumental) songs in a heavier progressive-rock vein, that was somewhat different from their initial blues and folk/jazz-influenced albums.[2]

Bradley died from leukemia shortly before the album's mixing was completed (the album is dedicated to him on the inside album cover). The band continued with American singer/guitarist Bruce Payne and drummer John Lingwood, touring in Germany in support of the album, where they were more popular than back home in England.[3]

After Steamhammer wound down, Pugh and Cennamo joined up with former Yardbirds vocalist Keith Relf (who had provided production assistance on Speech, as well as contributing background vocals)[4] and drummer Bobby Caldwell, formerly of Johnny Winter's band and Captain Beyond, to form Armageddon.[5]

  1. ^ Hundey, Jason. "Speech - Steamhammer | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Steamhammer : Featured Artist – Classic Rock Discussions –". Last.fm. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Keith Relf Articles". Mnbvcxzl.tripod.com. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  4. ^ "The Yardbirds, Renaissance, Medicine Head, Steamhammer, Armageddon". Keith Relf. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Northern Lights - The Renaissance Fan Site". Nlightsweb.com. Retrieved 1 November 2016.