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SNAKEFARM Songs From My Funeral (BMG/Kneeling Elephant) http://www.kneelingelephant.com Snakefarm is Anna Domino & Michel Delory, with Paul Dugan, Stephen Ulrich and Paul Shapiro. My first observations of Snakefarm were, that this has to be a psychedelic version of Michelle Shocked. It's better than that! Some of you may remember Matt Johnson of 'The The' performing the music of Hank Williams on Hanky Panky, well Snakefarm have derived a certain amount of inspiration from this. Anna and Michel have taken traditional folk songs and put them into a completely new light i.e. old songs with a refreshingly new theme-backdrop. Songs From My Funeral opens with 'St James', that is the famous folk ballad (Cocker & Bobby Bland) for a lover lost, but now with a funky, fresher, acoustic melody. 'Rising Sun' is a tale of the fall into misery that The Animals had a hit with; and yet Snakefarm capture the true essence of this lament. 'The Train I Ride' has had many titles, and this is the best version I've ever heard. 'Frankie And Johnny' is best remembered being performed by Elvis, yet I can imagine that Snakefarm and Portishead have teamed up for this version. Shit I love 'Texas' guitar for its twang and essence, it reminds me of sand and snakes, and 'Laredo' has that western flavour. 'John Henry' is folklore, and this story is told in a convincing, and memorable song-tale. I'd love Marianne Faithfull to perform 'John Henry'. 'Black Girl' is the haunting tale of a lover's lost railway worker-husband, whose head was found, but not the body; and Snakefarm add a really fantastic psychedelic-rock backdrop to this song. Snakefarm deserve full marks for adding a celtic flavour to 'Tom Dooley'. Some of us that are old enough just might remember The Kingston Trio performing 'Tom Dooley'. Snakefarm's rendition has an almost funeral march theme, and the well paced ever-striking tolling bell! My favourite song on Songs From My Funeral is 'Banks Of The Ohio', and yes Olivia Newton-John had a hit with this song. This version is a saga, a melodic journey into regret, and overlaid with strings and a haunting flute/recorder. Finally 'Pretty Horses' that takes its cue from a children's lullaby, that not only rocks, but delivers a charming poetic narative. On Snakefarm all of the ghosts have come back to life with an avengence, and Anna's vocals are truly memorable, and totally complimentary for these exquisite themes. Songs From My Funeral is my favourite album from 1999! Gazz 
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