PHOEBE SNOW
"Phoebe Snow"
1974 Shelter Records

Another favorite of mine (yes, I know seems they're all favorites). Though this one doesn't quite make it to my TOP 100 VINYL list...possibly in the top 200. Phoebe Snow's unique vocal style is suited just right for this particular grouping of compositions.

Harpo's Blues starts this LP out on the right note. One of the two favorites on this album features Zoot Sims on tenor sax (something I never really noticed until just now). There's a list of "guest" artists on this album that is quite impressive for a "first" release. This first tune gives us the piano, acoustic bass, and drums going off into a quiet instrumentation. I can close my eyes and see Harpo Marx doing his little shoe shuffling dance.

Poetry Man" is the other favorite, but that doesn't mean the listening pleasure stops after the first two songs on Side One. Phoebe's expressive vocals makes this whole album a very enjoyable listening adventure. The lyrics...something that tends to be lacking in a lot of songs out there today (and even back then). An art that truly only a few have mastered. Zoot is back with a very nice sax solo that allows you to sink further into the warmth of this vinyl.

So, you maybe assuming that with my two favorites out of the way, the rest of this review will be over with quite shortly...wrong. The third song, Either Or Both, David Bromberg joins Phoebe on complimentary acoustic guitars. Simple song with just the addition of David also playing the dobro. This song asks the significant question of whether "both sides" of a person's personality are accepted by their "significant other". Got to accept the good with the bad, ain't that what love's all about? Except in extreme cases, right?

This side of the record ends with San Fransico Bay Blues. Another simple song...acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, and acoustic vocals. Absolutely no clutter here.

Flip the record over now please.

I Don't Want The Night To End with it's addition of a little voltage (electric guitar and bass...and Bob James on the organ. This song makes me believe that Phoebe Snow could get together with Mark-Almond (the group...whenever I mention this duo I would always have to explain that "he" isn't a member of the Allman Brothers Band, but actually Jon Mark and John Almond). This reproduction of a timely classic is done quite well.

Starting with the tick-tock of the simulated clock, Take Your Children Home, works its way into an inquirying quest of the answer to "why"? You may ask, "Why what?" Hey, listen to the song and if you still have to ask, then you shouldn't be listening to anything, especially that little voice in your head.

Melodic, got to love the lyrics of It Must Be Sunday.

"Watch the world surround me form inside a phone booth"