Hangin' Around the Observatory

Hangin' Around the Observatory is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter John Hiatt. It was released in 1974 through Epic Records. The recording sessions took place at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville. The album was produced by Glen Spreen. The song "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here" was released as a single, and was covered that same year by Three Dog Night on their album Hard Labor, and was a top 20 hit.

Reception

A Billboard magazine reviewer says that the album "showcases a young writer and vocalist of obvious promise," and that "Hiatt's rich, slightly crazed and occasionally overwrought vocals are sympathetically buoyed by Glen Spreen's production, ranging from buzz-saw rock to sweet country without losing its coherence." A Record World reviewer calls Hiatt an "unusually gifted writer and performer whose voice and songs are strangely compelling and often insightful."

Personnel

John Hiatt – songwriter, arranger, design
Glen Spreen – producer, remixing
Gene Eichelberger – recording engineer
Stan Hutto – recording engineer and remixing
Ron Reynolds – recording and technical engineer
Mike Figlio – recording engineer
Ed Hudson – technical engineer
Jerry Watson – technical engineer
Charles Bradley – technical engineer
Freeman Ramsey – technical engineer
Lou Bradley – remixing
Bill Barnes – design
Peggy Owens – design
Wilbur "Slick" Lawson – photography