Customer Reviews

Second Childhood

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If I had one album to take to the proverbial desert island this would be it. Phoebe Snow's talent for writing, singing, and conveying deep meaning through subtle yet powerful lyrics is second to none. In my opinion, the only other writer who comes anywhere near Snow's standard on this record is Paul Simon. I first heard 'Second Childhood' on vinyl in 1976 and cannot remember ever being knocked over so quickly by a modern musical work. Repeated listenings have served to confirm that this is a truly classic album. It has never been available on CD in Australia and I have therefore taken care to preserve my vinyl copy. Phoebe's voice caresses melodies, soars and swoops with ease and great accuracy over the astonishingly wide vocal range she possesses. The musicians accompanying her play with a sensitivity and empathy rarely heard in popular music, but that's hardly surprising when you consider that the players featured on the album read like a who's who of America's finest. Artists in their own right, they bring their expertise and improvisatory abilities to the magic in this amazing work. Their joy in making music of the highest calibre sparkles and glistens through every piece. Without a doubt this is the jewel in the crown of Phoebe Snow's recorded output, which amounts to a series of patchy albums, all of which contain gems among the dross in their tracks. This is not to belittle Snow's other records, far from it, however apart from "Never Letting Go' and 'Poetry Man' her releases were inconsistent in that each one featured a few elegant and beautiful songs, but none spread the power she was so capable of across the entire musical canvas as convincingly as 'Second Childhood'. Yes folks, strong words I know, but all you have to do to test my opinion on this is listen to the album! Allow the music to transport you and you will understand my enthusiasm for Phoebe and her 'Second Childhood '.

Second Childhood is possibly Phoebe Snow's masterpiece. The songs - the self-written ones - examine every neurosis imaginable. Being frightened by children laughing in the streets, terrorised by romantic entanglements, depression, loneliness, substance abuse. There is nowhere she isn't willing to go.

Phoebe doesn't remember much of this material. If you shout out for these songs at her concerts, she's likely to say, "I can't remember it."

By the way, Phoebe isn't - as some weird reviewer alleged - a pale-skinned black woman. She's caucasian, Jewish, with very curly hair. That comment reminded me of the people who thought Janis Ian was black. No matter. It's just odd that people think that race is relevent when assessing an artist. Phoebe could be white, brown, black, red, yellow, indigo, or purple. She'd still be Phoebe Snow, and for that I'm thankful.

Phoebe Snow is one of the vocal wonders of the world. Of all her albums, this -- along with her self-titled debut record -- is the one to have! A very fun, lush and funky mix of tunes. Very much a product of the Paul Simon-influenced Mid-'70's NY scene, this is a major achievement in popular music.

She sings a folk-like blues pop with that patented PS hinged/unhinged je ne sais quoi in her voice. She herself called her technique an inspired insanity. Simply, it's a classic voice used like a virtuoso violinist. Instantly recognisable, and yet, earthy, soulful and real. (She has done a lot of commercials, by the by). I dig her body of work overall, but this is my favorite CD/album with the great tunes "Two Fisted Love" and the jazzy "No Regrets".

I remeber my father playing the album when I was a kid. It is simply one of her best and turned me into a lifetime fan! Phoebe displays a classic smooth jazz sound and a hint or R&B with her sultry voice. 10 THUMBS UP!/A TRUE CLASSIC!

I really took the news of the loss of Phoebe Snow to heart today. I cannot think of another voice like hers.
This album, and other tunes of hers I adore, were little moments in lost days I lived, that I find this remarkably beautiful to hear again. If you had to offer a tribute to her, you might just as well put this on, close your eyes and dance to the music.
It's been years since these were penned but I don't find them dated, naive, or in some way lost to another time. I find them remarkably prescient. By far my favorite of her albums.
Sad loss of a lovely singer songwriter and a mom that had uncompromising love for her child.

A quintessncial 70's album with all the right flavorings. Pheobe's voice is unstoppable, breaking in and out of her trademark falsetto. A quiet album with hippie adornments and sensibility. Almost jazzy with bells and chimes and instrumentation you'll recall and enjoy hearing again. A wonderful time capsule that showcases one of the great voices of all time.

I don't know any fancy music talk. I just know that I have listened to this album/cd since 1976 and loved it. I like to put a log in the fireplace, kick back in the ol' Lazyboy and enjoy. Thanks Phoebe!

I've love Phoebe since I first heard her. The lst song I ever heard be her was Poetry Man. Then I was introduced to Second Childhood by my sister. I've loved her every since. I haven't heard an artist in years that can top her style and originallity. Her unique, incomparable lilt and sultry style cannot be copied and we need more of her right now. In this particular album she writes about things that everyone can relate to at sometime in their lives; like Cash In and All Over. I particularly like San Fransico Bay Blues. Anything she sings; including commercials :) is alright with me!

I was first introduced to the "soulfull blues" sound of Phoebe Snow by my sister at the tender age of sixteen.The youngest of four girls--my insightful sister handed me this album and said,"Listen to this,it might help you understand what being a woman is about." She was right!Phoebe's jazzy voice reaches out to you and her songs touch every woman's heart, more now 22 years later. I will always love this album. Phoebe's voice is incredible! This album helped me to understand the many women in my life. My sister was so right,and she was right on time.