Search - Serpent Power, David & Tina Meltzer :: Serpent Power

Two wonderful albums from a magical past

William Timothy Lukeman | 11/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Meltzer -- poet, essayist, interviewer, novelist, scholar, teacher -- and on the two albums collected here on one CD, songwriter & performer. The Serpent Power will be remembered by those of a certain age & cultural inclination for "Endless Tunnel," which received quite a bit airplay on progressive FM radio, once upon a time.



But this isn't a case of a countercultural one-hit wonder, far from it! The entire Serpent Power album is a fine collection of songs, obviously owing much to the San Francisco sound of the times, but notable for their pure, often melancholy melody & their distinctive lyrics. David Meltzer was reading & recording poetry back in the late Beat days, and knew how to put words & music together. He also knew that lyrics require something a little different than poetry, ensuring that his songs are intelligent & emotionally charged without becoming pretentious. Their beauty is heightened by the clear, honest, haunting voice of his wife Tina.



Which brings us to the second album, "Poet Song." Here the songs are interspersed with poems, and the overall theme is a study of love. Aided by tasteful strings at times, carried by Tina's lovely, aching voice, these songs celebrate the wonders, joys, fears & aspirations of love between husband & wife, parent & child. Let me single out "Lullaby" as an exceptional song, never maudlin, always moving -- something very difficult to pull off successfully, but it definitely works here.



Some forgotten albums perhaps deserve their fate. But this is a genuine find, well worth rediscovering. There's a quiet but powerful spirit driving these songs, giving them real substance that makes them much more than just charming period pieces. Most highly recommended!



(If you enjoy this CD, you'll also want to track down Tina & David Meltzer's "Green Morning," the follow-up to "Poet Song," which was unfairly & unceremoniously shelved in 1970 & only recently released on CD -- it's just as good!)"

Poetic Psychedelia

Mark Roland | 12/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had heard of this band and even had a song or two on tape, but the first time I really HEARD them was the song "Up And Down" on the recent "Love Is The Song We Sing" collection. Tina's voice really grabbed me and the feelings of the song captured that era; the hope, the possibilities and the wistful sadness that was also everpresent. Discovering the story of David and Tina, from the Beat era to these recordings and beyond was another revelation. I wasn't sure if the rest of the music would be as strong, but was very pleased. David's voice has a rougher edge, but it works well in the context of the more bluesy numbers he is featured on.



There is a clear feeling that this is a Vanguard group. John Fahey was living in Berkeley at this point and recording for Vanguard as was Country Joe and the Fish, both of whom influenced The Serpent Power, in guitar style, and the mixture of eastern raga modes with the folk and blues background. "Endless Tunnel" also reminds me of the extended musical explorations of Kaleidscope like "Beacon From Mars." David's guitar leads are lyrical and fluid, not the firey virtioustic sound of Cipollina, or even the explosive style of labelmate Barry Melton, but very well suited to the band.



Poet Song was a pleasant surprize, I thought it might be more of a bonus track thing, but is very solid. More focused on spoken word, it does have some great songs, my favorite being the haunting "Pure White Place." For anyone who is enamored of that point in the 60s when anything seemed possible, and all forms of music and poetry could be combined into a glorious hybrid, this release will be appreciated in a major way."