Singer/songwriter Snider has come a long way since his 1994 debut, Songs For The Daily Planet, on Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville label. Although his most recent effort appeared on Universal, he built a strong following during his fiveyear stint with John Prine’s Nashville-based Oh Boy Records. Compiled with Snider’s assistance, this 14-track project is a fascinating assortment of rarities, B-sides and demos, including firstblush solo versions of Snider staples such as Nashville, Deja Blues (co-written with mentor Billy Joe Shaver) and Missing You.
Other highlights include a couple of songs co-composed with Jack Ingram (Feel Like I’m Falling In Love and the unsettling bar saga Barbie Doll), country-rock band such as like Old Friends, East Nashville Skyline (with legend Lloyd Green on pedal steel), a hard-driving Cheatham Street Warehouse and a reflective cover of Jerry Jeff Walker’s nostalgic Stoney. The witty Combover Blues and a gospel-drenched I Will Not Go Hungry are also noted.
Definitely not a post-contract, barrel-scraping affair. We can’t wait for the promised Volume Two. More material from Eric McConnell’s house would be particularly welcome.
