Snakefarm

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Alternative pop ectronica, versions of traditional, early jazz and blues songs

Status:

Most recent release, My Halo at Half-Light (2011)

See also:

A Snakefarm bio

An Anna Domino site

The Ectophiles' Guide entry for Anna Domino

Comparisons:

i think anyone who likes robin holcomb will particularly dig this album. (woj@smoe.org)

I don't hear any robin holcomb connection, myself. To me this sounds as though Portishead or Lamb or Baxter decided to do versions of traditional, blues, and early jazz tunes. (Neile)

Covers/own material:

Covers

General comments:

Snakefarm's debut album consists of radical treatments of old, traditional songs. Dark, but not in a gloomy way, more in an atmospheric, moody way. Trip-hoppy, electronic. Very cool. (JoAnn Whetsell)

Comments about live performance:

Snakefarm showcased a little while ago in Los Angeles at Luna Park and the songs were more memorable seen performed. (thecritics@earthlink.net)

Recommended first album:

Songs From My Funeral

Recordings:

• Songs From My Funeral (1999)
• My Halo at Half-Light (2011)

Songs From My Funeral

Release info:

1999—RCA Records/Kneeling Elephant—07863-67687-2-4

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Anna Domino—vocals and vocal fx, electric guitar, accordion
Michel Delory—electric, acoustic, & classical guitars, dobro, banjo, keyboards, drum programming

Guest artists:

Paul Dugan—upright, arco and fender bass
Stephen Ulrich—electric guitar solos and fx
Paul Shapiro—tenor sax, flute, recorder

Produced by:

Snakefarm

Comments:

New Anna Domino! New Anna Domino!! New Anna Domino!!! (Sorry. :)
     I heard "Frankie And Johnny" on the radio—I was driving to lunch going "hey, this is cool!" :). I like it. The beats are trippy and interesting, and I love, love, LOVE Anna's voice. You never would know these are old songs without really paying attention to the lyrics. (meth@smoe.org)

I love this list. After Mysteries Of America I was eagerly awaiting a new Anna Domino release until someone recently mentioned the Snakefarm album. I immediately ordered it and I'm not disappointed. These are some of the best cover versions of traditionals that I ever heard. And it still sounds like an Anna Domino album. (Dirk.Kastens@rz.uni-osnabrueck.de)

I've just run across an oddity, which is the new CD by Snakefarm called Songs from My Funeral. Snakefarm consists of Anna Domino (vocals, accordion, guitar) and Michel Delory (additional guitars, keyboards, drum programming) doing a dozen or so very dark, traditional American ballads (includes "St. James Infirmary", "Frankie and Johnny", "Tom Dooley", "Rising Sun"). I really like Anna Domino, but this is the last sort of music I ever thought I'd hear her perform. The arrangements are very hip, Euro, Anna Domino-ish. In fact some of the songs are only identifiable with the originals by their lyrics.
     Also notable is the photo of Anna Domino that could have been taken by Dorothea Lange. I haven't decided if I like the CD or not. (valrichardson@igc.org)

i've been looking forward to this album for a while (as meredith exclaimed, "new Anna Domino! new Anna Domino! new Anna Domino!") and am quite happy with it. of all the albums that wended their way into our house this past week, this one has gotten the most airplay.
     i have to admit that had some misgivings about the concept—modern treatments of traditional ballads—which sounds like it could be very annoying or, at the very least, goofy, but they pull it off very nicely. the arrangements are, yes, hip but i think they really capture the soul of the songs without being simple remakes using new instruments or being different from the originals just for the sake of being different. (woj@smoe.org)

Delighted to hear Anna Domino on a project that shows a different side of her vocal talents. These electronic versions of old standards is great fun and a truly enjoyable listen. I'm sure my dad would hate their version of "St James Infirmary" though. I'll have to test it on him. Hah! (Neile)

My Halo at Half-Light

Release info:

2011—Fledg'ling Records—FLED 3086

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Anna Domino—vocals, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, knives, finger snaps
Michel Delory—acoustic, dobro and electric guitars, mandolin, banjo, bass, synth and drum programmes, percussion

Guest artists:

Hearn Gadbois—hand percussion
Al Pahanish—drums
Sebastian Steinberg—electric bass, upright bass

Comments:

I am so thrilled to have a new Snakefarm album. Songs From My Funeral has received steady play over the last 12 years, both on my stereo and on my iPod (a real measure of love since I do not listen to most of my physical CDs digitally). My Halo at Half-Light has more great reinterpretations of traditional songs. The aesthetic is similar, but it's less electronic (though "Darlin' Corey" is a notable exception). Highlights include "Little Maggie," "Sadie," and "Omie Wise (You Forgot to Answer)." (JoAnn Whetsell)

One of the best albums of the year. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.

41 - 80 of 120 entries

Sa-Si  Si-Sp  Sp-Sy

	Siddal
	Jami Sieber
	Sigur Rós
	Silly Sisters
	Silverman
	David Simon
	Paul Simon
	Kerri Simpson
	Rie Sinclair
	Sinforosa
	Single Gun Theory
	Sixpence None The Richer
	Sixteen Horsepower
	Sheryl Skye
	The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
	Megan Slankard
	Sarah Slean
	Sleater-Kinney
	Sleigh Bells
	Margot Smith
	Mindy Smith
	Patti Smith
	Rachel Smith
	Smoke Fairies
	Snakefarm
	Sneaker Pimps
	Snowdrift
	Soap&Skin
	Jill Sobule
	Sara Softich
	Sohre
	Sojourn (see Grey Eye Glances)
	Maria Solheim
	SONiA (see SONiA & Disappear Fear)
	SONiA & Disappear Fear
	Nijole Sparkis
	Tori Sparks
	Kathy Sparling
	Regina Spektor
	Spires That in the Sunset Rise

Sa-Si  Si-Sp  Sp-Sy