Hustler were a British band that were prominent during the 1974-75 timeframe, signed to a big label, and with a host of 7 inch singles to accompany their two sole albums released during this period.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Hustler
ALBUM: High Street
LABEL: A&M
SERIAL: AMLS 68276
YEAR: 1974
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Steve Haynes – vocals * Mickey Llewelyn – guitar, vocals * Kenny Daughters – keyboards * Kenny Lyons – bass, vocals * Tony Beard – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Just Leave A Good Man * 02 Piranhas * 03 Let The Wind Blow * 04 Uptight Tonight * 05 Get Outa Me ‘Ouse * 06 Jack The Lad * 07 Midnight Seducer * 08 Miranda * 09 The Hustler
WEBLINKS: NA
Background
Hustler were a British band that were prominent during the 1974-75 timeframe, signed to a big label, and with a host of 7 inch singles to accompany their two sole albums released during this period. Hustler have been lumped in with a few contemporaries from that same era.
Heavy Metal Kids, Status Quo etc, but really, these guys rise above like cream because of their adherence to melody, and pop/rock ideals. They really should’ve been an American band judging by what’s on display with their debut ‘High Street’.
For my reckoning, I think they sound like a watered down version of Bad Company, with Steve Haynes’ superb bluesy vocal mixing the likes of Paul Rodgers, Peter Frampton plus many other front-men from that era. I guess when they do rock out, that boogie feel starts making its presence felt.
The Songs
‘Just Leave A Good Man’ is great slice of guitar/keyboard interplay, and opens up the album promisingly. Fans of Uriah Heep or Deep Purple will love the extended ‘Piranahas’, the organ work from Daughters gives Ken Hensley a run for his money. ‘Let The Wind Blow’ is a gorgeous ballad which reminds me of Couchois, and is one of the album highlights – despite not being a rocker.
‘Uptight Tonight’ is definitely one for Bad Company fans, while the scouser anthem ‘Get Outa Me ‘Ouse’ is a rampant 70’s blues/boogie/pop workout which would’ve sounded great in the hands of Roger Daltrey, Rod Stewart or Status Quo! This one is sung by guitarist Mickey Llewelyn.
‘Jack The Lad’ is a bit of 12 bar boogie rocker, it’s followed by ‘Midnight Seducer’ which strangely enough veers down a Legs Diamond path – believe it or not! ‘Miranda’ starts off slow, but by songs end, it has moved into George Hatcher Band territory. Perhaps the best representation of the band is the closing track ‘The Hustler’ – fusing together a variety of styles from hard rock, pop, orchestral and blues.
In Summary
Only ‘Get Outa Me ‘Ouse’ was released as a single from this album, most of the singles came with their next LP – 1975’s ‘Play Loud’. The band lost the services of drummer Tony Beard, to be replaced by Henry Spinetti.
Unfortunately, Hustler never made it beyond that album, and by mid 1976 it was all over. Most of the band members all moved on to other projects, and you can do a Google search on them to see what they are up to now.
Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
