David Rubinson's production of
Phoebe Snow on the 1976 release
It Looks Like Snow is an overpowering collection of pop-jazz-funk-folk that puts this amazing vocalist's talents in a beautiful light. Whether it's the
Bowen/
Bond/
Hazel blues classic "Shakey Ground," which
Elton John,
Etta James, and so many others have explored, or her exquisite interpretation of
the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down," there is no doubt the material here should have ruled on the airwaves the year after her Top Five smash, "Poetry Man." How could Columbia Records not have this material saturating radio across America is the question. There are string arrangements by
Sonny Burke and horn arrangements by
Kurt McGettrick; the guests galore -- from
David Bromberg and
Ray Parker, Jr. on guitars (along with
Snow,
Greg Poree, and
Steve Burgh) to
David Pomeranz on keys -- make the
Snow/
Pomeranz co-write "Mercy on Those" into a majestic and extra-special showstopper. The singer's solo composition "Drink Up the Melody (Bite the Dust, Blues)" has her dipping into
Maria Muldaur territory, and a duet between the two divas here would've been sensational. "My Faith Is Blind," soaked in gospel introspection, takes the album to another level with its soul searching and sense of spiritual discovery.
It Looks Like Snow is a major work from a fabulous performer traversing styles and genres with ease and elegance. The loving mom appears with her daughter on the back cover in a photo by collaborator
Phil Kearns ~ Joe Viglione