CD Pick: The Snake Charmers - Been Gone Too Long
The Snake Charmers
Been Gone Too Long (2008)
www.snakecharmers.com
Label: Skunk Eye Records
Genre: Blues
The Snake Charmers have been mesmerizing the larger-than-life city of Houston since 2002, when husband and wife team, Marie Angell and Will Blumentritt, formed their own band “to play what we like and like what we play.” Been Gone So Long is the eclectic group’s first professionally produce CD, although a 2006 homemade demo is available for download at the band’s website.
The ten-track contemporary blue CD opens with “Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,” a slow burn that showcases the sultry pipes of lead vocalist and keyboard player, Marie Angell. The honey-drippin’ opener segues easily into “Mercy,” a southern rockin’ celebration of bass lines courtesy of Will Blumentritt and rockin’ guitar from Larry Meeker. Son Eric Blumentritt on drums complete’s the group’s tight performance.
The emotionally charged “Can’t Trust a Heart,” is up next, a bluesy ballad enriched by Meeker’s plaintive guitar licks and powerful lyrics by Angell - who, by the way, wrote all ten tunes on the CD.
“Big, Big Love” will get your shoulders moving, your hips swinging and your toes tapping. Give in to it - get up and dance!
The bass-driven title track combines raw sexiness and yearning as the singer misses an old love, even as she notes her newfound independence. Additional tunes include the very danceable “I Wanna Do Right,” and the 12-bar “Move On Blues.” Closing out the CD is “Hoochie Mama,” or, more accurately “(I Wanna Be a) Hoochie Mama,” a fasat-paced, fun ending to a completely charming disc from The Snake Charmers.
Guest artists on the recording include Alan “Otis Futhermucker” Gould, on harmonica for “Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,” and “Big, Big Love;” guitarist David Coronade on “Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,” “I Wanna Do Right” and “Hoochie Mama;” and Tracy Wilson provides finger snaps and handclaps on “Just a Little Kiss.” DB. April 7, 2009
