LP Review: Show Your Hand
Released: 1973
LP Charts: #39 R&B, #39 Pop
The definition of a solid album, this thang right here. And like many debuts (or otherwise early albums) from musicians, Average White Band sounds a different here than the material they’d get super famous for later. There’s some stylistic choices present on Show Your Hand that you’d never hear again on an AWB album.
Okay, I don’t wanna overstate the situation.
AWB didn’t do a 180 after this LP. Nonetheless, they’re rawer here than even on their very next release, and certainly by 1979’s Feel No Fret. Just some funky Scottish cats ready to get down, get funky, and get loose.
The Funky
“The Jugglers” is gritty funk without any real hook. It’s just the dudes jamming with lyrics that don’t really matter.
Need some struttin’ music? “Put It Where You Want It” has got your back with some smokin’ sax and bluesy guitar. No surprise this song is good, though, cuz this is actually a cover of a Crusaders instrumental released the previous year. Alan Gorrie wrote up some lyrics to go with it, et voila!
“Reach Out” is some good blues/rock/funk. Wish AWB explored this area more, but this ain’t what made them their money. Dance floor funk did that, so I understand their future decision to never again get so rockish. Even artists gotta pay the rent.
“T.L.C.” is a good, if overlong funk groove. Few funky grooves fully justify eight minutes of runtime. However, this one is justified enough for me. Good background/cleaning music.
The Soulful
“This World Has Music” straddles the line of R&B, soul, and jazz quite nicely. “Show Your Hand” is some decent R&B.
“Twilight Zone” is a perfunctory soft soul ballad with yet more jazzy influences. Competently performed, though. Ditto for “Back in ‘67” except it’s country-soul. Yeah, that ain’t ever coming back into their repertoire.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
Overall an enjoyable with no bad/weak tracks, but also nothing outstanding except for “Put It Where You Want It”, but that was quasi-pilfered from the Crusaders. Nonetheless, a good listen for fans of AWB or early 70s R&B.
Song Scores
The Jugglers: 7.5/10
This World Has Music: 7/10
Twilight Zone: 6/10
Put It Where You Want It: 8/10
Show Your Hand: 6.5/10
Back in ‘67: 6/10
Reach Out: 7/10
T.L.C.: 7/10