Show of Hands - Formerly Anthrax 1970

So here's an obscurity with one of those immensely tangled histories ...   Drummer Rick Cutler, keyboardist Jack Jacobsen, and singer/guitarist Jerry McCann initially started their musical collaboration in 1967.  Originally known as National Debt, the band reportedly had a jazz-rock catalog and made minor headway in their native San Diego before McCann quit to join the band Framework.  Cutler and Jacobsen soldiered on under the name Anthrax.   Their jazz-rock repertoire eventually attracted the attention of Elektra Records, which signed them to a recording contract in 1969.

Working with producer Russ Mill they recorded an album of jazz-rock and experimental instrumentals, but label head Jac Holtzman found the results non-commercial and also had issues with the band name, resulting in the tapes being shelved.  The band's response to the naming controversy was fairly simple - they became Formerly Anthrax which Elektra management concurred with.  Cutler and Jacobsen also managed to recruit McCann back into the band; subsequently gaining permission from Elektra to re-record some of their original material with new vocals added to the mix. 

Produced by Miller, 1970's "Show of Hands" reflected relatively little of the band's earlier jazz-rock leanings.  With the exception of the instrumental 'I Want To Fly', the seem to have taken Elektra's concerns to heart, crafting an album that was far more commercial than you would have expected.  Reflecting a mixture of band originals and outside covers,

 Yeah   Interestingly, given the album's confusing packaging lots of folks thought the band name was Show of Hands and the album title was "Formerly Anthrax". badcatrecords.com

Tracklist:
01.No Words Between Us 4:15
02.Stanley's Theme 3:08
03.Moondance 3:44
04.These Things I Know 3:15
05.I Want to Fly 6:47
06.No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed 3:39
07.May This Be Love/One Rainy Wish 3:21
08.Mount Olympus Breakdown 2:08
09.Like a Child 5:05
10.Toy Piano and Goodbye 4:50

Show of Hands:
Rick Cutler - Percussion
Jack Jacobsen - Keyboards and Keyboard Bass
Jerry McCann - Vocals, Guitar and Flute