It Looks Like Snow

With a range of more than four octaves, Phoebe Snow spun her singular songs with extraordinary flexibility. Sadly, she died in 2011 at just 60, but she left several albums of wonderful substance. Released in 1976, this is another record that cannot be left out of any account of her career.

Reaching No. 29 on the American chart, it was recorded in Los Angeles and San Francisco by the East Coast-born singer. Leading West Coast musicians, including Ray Parker Jr. on guitar and James Gadson and Harvey Mason on drums, supply an easy, supple sound blending jazz, soul and blues. Alongside her originals, she makes Memphis Minnie's ‘In My Girlish Days,’ Lennon–McCartney's ‘Don't Let Me Down’ and the Temptations' ‘Shakey Ground’ her own. The bluesy ‘Teach Me Tonight,’ the prayer-like ‘Mercy on Those’ and ‘My Faith Is Blind,’ with its impressive gospel chorus, offer further pleasures. An album full of substance.