On August 1, 1971, “Columbia” label released “How Hard It Is”, the fourth and final Big Brother and the Holding Company studio album. It was recorded in 1971, at “CBS Studios” in San Francsico, and was produced by Roscoe Segal and Roy Segal.

Personnel:

• Sam Andrew – vocals, guitar
• David Schallock – lead guitar
• Peter Albin – guitar, bass, mandolin, vibraslap
• James Gurley – bass
• David Getz – drums, percussion, marimba, piano
• Mike Finnigan – vocals, keyboards
• Kathi McDonald – vocals
• Nick Gravenites – vocals
• David Brown, George Engfer, George Horn, Mike Larner – recording
• Dennis Nolan – artwork

Track listing:

1. How Hard It Is – David Getz, Sam Andrew
2. You’ve Been Talkin’ ‘Bout Me, Baby – Ray Rivera, Gale Garnett, Walter Hirsch
3. House on Fire – David Getz, Louis Rappaport
4. Black Widow Spider – Sam Andrew
5. Last Band on Side One – Roscoe Segel, Sam Andrew
6. Nu Boogaloo Jam – Dan Nudelman, Sam Andrew
7. Maui – Roscoe Segel, Sam Andrew
8. Shine On – David Getz, Peter Albin, Sam Andrew
9. Buried Alive in the Blues – Nick Gravenites
10. Promise Her Anything but Give Her Arpeggio – David Schallock