Michael Snow, Never Say No To A Jar (IYE967)
Michael Snow has the easy grace of a pub singer, you can see him in your mind informally holding forth in a pub. Indeed a lot of songs center around pub life, as the title of the CD suggests. There is a directness and honesty fundamental to Michael Snow's music, which pretends to be nothing than what it is. That is part of the appeal of his album.
Michael Snow sings as he speaks, and speaks through his songs. He easily goes form an engaging monologue / conversation, as in "The Dogs in the Street " to "Black Sheep: Barney Star" an ode to Irish American pubs with great ease and in a way you can't but listen to.
Michael Snow is an artist of the personal and universal. One universal statement is "One of Us." This gets an A+ for hitting the nail on the head graphically about the worst thing that stains past human history and threatens the future of the human race. This song is sadly universal be it China, Germany Saudi Arabia, Ireland, or the United States. Anyone out to abrogate another persons right in the name of religion or community or some other lame excuse outh to be forced themselves to listen to this to understand the shame of it all. That's how good Michael Snow is.
"Brand New Uniform" is a song about the individual thing: love, breaking through all the barriers set by regulation and controls imposed by a few men. Michael Snow sings it with his characteristic directness, and it is grand. "peeling the Layers Away" is the darker companion piece to this, sung with the manner of an angry man whose had a bit too much. Both songs have great instrumentals.
"Old Irish Tunes" is about the continuation and changes in Irish music in this New World, and our Celtic legacy. Michael sings this with chorus, and it is fine indeed.
In with these deep statements are joyous songs such as "A Pub On Every Corner" and "Dandy Vernon." Here there are poignant reminiscences such as "Cailin Dall" and "River Remember Me."
I hope that Michael Snow will be on tour soon so that we can hear this fire and passion live. In the meantime the CS does just fine. -AK
Michael Snow sings as he speaks, and speaks through his songs. He easily goes form an engaging monologue / conversation, as in "The Dogs in the Street " to "Black Sheep: Barney Star" an ode to Irish American pubs with great ease and in a way you can't but listen to.
Michael Snow is an artist of the personal and universal. One universal statement is "One of Us." This gets an A+ for hitting the nail on the head graphically about the worst thing that stains past human history and threatens the future of the human race. This song is sadly universal be it China, Germany Saudi Arabia, Ireland, or the United States. Anyone out to abrogate another persons right in the name of religion or community or some other lame excuse outh to be forced themselves to listen to this to understand the shame of it all. That's how good Michael Snow is.
"Brand New Uniform" is a song about the individual thing: love, breaking through all the barriers set by regulation and controls imposed by a few men. Michael Snow sings it with his characteristic directness, and it is grand. "peeling the Layers Away" is the darker companion piece to this, sung with the manner of an angry man whose had a bit too much. Both songs have great instrumentals.
"Old Irish Tunes" is about the continuation and changes in Irish music in this New World, and our Celtic legacy. Michael sings this with chorus, and it is fine indeed.
In with these deep statements are joyous songs such as "A Pub On Every Corner" and "Dandy Vernon." Here there are poignant reminiscences such as "Cailin Dall" and "River Remember Me."
I hope that Michael Snow will be on tour soon so that we can hear this fire and passion live. In the meantime the CS does just fine. -AK