CD Review: Appalling by Zack Hammond

Written by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Photograph taken by Paparazzi Paul.

There are numerous individuals who set foot on a stage, begin sharing thoughts they deem humorous, and call themselves comedians. Occasionally, some of these comedians are funny. Others apparently think, if they spew enough obscenities or incite laughter from the vast number of friends and relatives that populate the audience, they're good. So, it's a rare treat to experience a comedian who not only share a colorful vocabulary and is appreciated by friends and family but who is actually funny.

Zack Hammond is one such comedian. His observations on life and all it's variations not only inspire laughter but also expands the audience's conceptions of all they encounter during the show and afterwards. From the very beginning of the CD, Mr. Hammond draws his audience into his humorous renderings as magically as David Blaine does with his prestidigitations. He then moves onto other equally funny topics with such tracks as “17 yr Old Crotch Rot” and “Fighting Bulimia, One Purge at a time.”

The CD titled, “Appalling” was recorded at The Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or www.originsgallery.org on Friday September 18^th, 2015 with Spoken Word Artist: The Carlton serving as the opening act for the evening. The event was recorded by TwentyFiveEight Studios www.facebook.com/TwentyFiveEightStudios as a result of a recording session Mr. Hammond won in a contest. Listening to the CD leaves one with a desire to partake of a live performance given by Mr. Hammond. However, until one can learn of and make plans to go wherever he'll be, information on how to obtain a copy of the CD can be gained through Mr. Hammond's Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/zackhammcomic or his Website at www.zaxcomedy.com.

Zack Hammond is from Maryland and have performed in numerous venues throughout the New York, Philadelphia, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Stroudsburg, PA area. The venues include open mics nites, talent shows, and poetry readings. He also has appeared at Wisecrackers Comedy Club, Donahue’s Hourglass Lounge, the Main Bean, The Allentown Alternative Art Gallery, The Sherman Theater, The Leonard Theater, The Vintage Theater, The Woodlands, Whistles, and Just Rumors. Mr. Hammond has won a number of awards for his performances including the NEPA Comedy Idol award in 2010. He was also featured at the NEPAScene Mid-Winter Showcase in Wilkes-Barre, PA.