Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Snail
Company: Cream
Catalog: CR
1009
Year: 1978
Country/State: Santa Cruz, California
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: cut top right corner; white promo label; includes lyric insert
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5809
Price: $10.00
This is one I bought without any knowledge, or familiarity with the group. I actually bought it because I was kind of curious to hear what a white, long hair quartet sounded like when they were signed to a label I normally associate with soul acts - namely the Los Angeles-based Cream imprint.
Turns out that Snail had a rather long and convoluted history, tracing its roots back to the early-1960s and a series of Santa Cruz-based bands including The Vistells, The Cobras, and Talcon Wedge. The original Snail was formed in 1968 as a Cream-styled blues-rock trio featuring the talents of:
- former Gold Coast Five and Talcon Wedge drummer Ron Filmore
- former Vistells and Cobras lead guitarist Dave Kibler
- ex-Cobras and Talcon Wedge rhythm guitarist Bob O'Neill
In 1969 band expanded to a quartet with the addition of ex-The Bubble lead guitarist Ken Kraft. They then spent the next decade as local favorites playing clubs like The Valley Barn, Bodegas, Catalyst, Chateau Liberte, and The Wooden Nickel while also serving as a support act for touring national bands such as Clear Light, H.P. Lovecraft, The People, and Stained Glass.
Co-produced by Jerry Barnes and the band, by the time 1978's "Snail" was released the line-up featured Kraft, drummer Jim Norris, O'Neill, and bass player Jack Register. Musically this one wasn't bad, especially if you were into mid-1970s Doobie Brothers boogie, Firefall pop, or Poco-styled country-rock. On the other hand, if you wanted to hear their blues-rock roots, you were out of luck. True, there wasn't a great deal of originality to be found here, but exemplified by tracks like '' and '' these guys had a nice sound that was quite energetic and commercial.
left to right: Bob O'Neill - Ken Kraft - Brett Bloomfield - Don Baldwin
- Two parts Poco country-rock and one part Doobies boogie ... What do you get? 'The Joker'. Nice with a great wah-wah solo that would have sounded fine on mid-1970s top-40 radio. rating: *** stars
- Right down to the acoustic guitar, the ballad 'Here with You' sounded very much like a Patrick Simmons contribution to a Doobies album. Would have gotten an extra star were it not for the hackneyed backing orchestration. rating: ** stars
- Yeah the theme and imagery were pretty shopworn, but 'Music Is My Mistress' was one of those songs where the performances more than made up for the lack of originality. Nice group harmonies and a blazing lead from Kraft certainly didn't hurt the song. rating: *** stars
- 'Childhood Dreams' found the band dipping back into the Poco catalog. This one really did sound like a Paul Cotton/Rusty Young outtake. Great if you liked classic Poco. Not as impressive if you weren't a fan. rating: *** stars
- 'Try and Wonder' started out as a country-flavored number, but generated a little energy as it rolled along. Probably sounded far better after a couple of beers in a club. rating: ** stars
- 'Keep On Livin'' dipped back into Doobies-styled rock. It wasn't immediately impressive but with the nice harmonies and a hook that slowly dug into your head. rating: *** stars
- Kicked along by a nice choppy guitar figure, 'You Gotta Run' was the most rock oriented track (showcasing yet another nice Kraft solo) and was probably the most commercial effort. Interestingly this one's always reminded me of something out of the 38 Special catalog. rating: **** stars
- With Kraft handling lead vocals, 'Carry Me' was a little too country for my tastes. rating: ** stars
- Imagine Poco recording a concept album and you'd get a feel for the closer 'Freedom In the Country'. Yeah it was kind of pompous and once again the string arrangements threatened to drown the band, but the tune was actually pretty good. rating: *** stars
The album was also tapped for a single in the form of:
- 1978's 'Joker' b/w 'Childhood Dreams' (Cream catalog CRE 7827)
Not sure why, but judging by these two picture sleeve 45s these guys seemed to attract an audience in Germany !
Shame they couldn't have shown a glimmer of originality since that would have made it much easier to recommend the album. Still, if you liked the genre, this might be of interest. Otherwise call if competent imitation and leave it at that.
"Snail" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) The Joker (Randall Zacuto) - 5:08
2.) Catch Me (Ken Kraft - Bob Aquirro) - 3:12
3.) Music Is My Mistress (Victor Phillips) - 4:17
4.) Childhood Dreams (Bob O'Neill) - 5:14
(side
2)
1.) Try and Wonder (Bob O'Neill) - 4:09
2.) Keep On Livin' (Bob O'Neill) - 4:10
3.) You Gotta Run (Bob O'Neill) - 4:23
4.) Carry Me (Larry Hosford) - 3:04
5.) Freedom In the Country (Bob O'Neill) - 4:48
-
There was also a non-LP single
- 'Catchy Me (Give Me a Sign, Show Me a Reason)' b/w 'Keep On Livin'' (Cream catalog number CRE 7830)
There's a sophomore Snail LP, but I've never bothered to track a copy down:
1979's "Flow" (Cream catalog number CR-1012)
"Flow" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I've Got a Lady (Bob O'Neil) - 3:20
2.) Here with You (Ken Kraft - Bob O'Neill) - 3:43
3.) Love Should Flow (Ken Kraft - Bob O'Neill) -4:09
4.) Threw It Away (Ken Kraft) - 3:35
5.) Lettin' Go (Ken Kraft - Bob O'Neill) -
(side 2)
1.) Tonight (Bob O'Neill) - 3:33
2.) Rollin' In Your Love (Ken Kraft - Bob O'Neill) - 3:49
3.) Forever (Ken Kraft) - 3:15
4.) And Your Bird Can Sing (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:28
5.) Broke Up, Broke Down (Bob O'Neill) - 6:20
There's one final 45:
- '1979's Forever' b/w 'Tonight' (Cream catalog number CRE 7938)
The band's reunited a couple of times, including a March 1996 Santa Cruz performance that reunited Bloomfield, Kraft, Norris and O'Neill.