| Speech | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Steamhammer |
| Cover: | Steamhammer-Speech-cover.jpg |
| Released: | Early 1972 |
| Recorded: | Winter 1971 |
| Genre: | Progressive rock |
| Prev Title: | Mountains |
| Prev Year: | 1970 |
| Next Title: | Wailing Again |
| Next Year: | 2022 |
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.[1]
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.[2]
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)[3] and drummer Bobby Caldwell, formerly of Johnny Winter's band and Captain Beyond, to form Armageddon.[4]
Also: