In a career beginning in Merseybeat
era Liverpool, this songwriter / producer / multi-instrumentalist
has seen success as a composer, (with the international '70's
hit "Rosetta" and an ongoing collaboration with Dr.
Hook frontman Dennis Locorriere among the highlights) as a touring
and studio musician/arranger; and as the operator of his own
publishing companies and recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee.
In recent years, Michael Snow's music has gravitated to reflect
his Liverpool-Irish roots. The result is a collection of original
songs titled "Here Comes The Skelly," recorded
in Nashville over a six-week period in the autumn of 1998. The
album features outstanding musical contributions from Mr. Locorriere,
respected British folk-rocker Clive Gregson, and the Nanci Griffith
band rhythm section of Pat McInerney and Ron DeLaVega. Included
in the song sycle is a collaboration with the late great pianist
Nicky Hopkins.
Born and raised in Liverpool, England, the son of Irish immigrants,
Michael Snow began his professional music career in 1962 with
the Merseybeat group The Barons, who recorded for Parlophone/EMI.
Moving to London in 1964, he joined West Five, scoring
a chart hit with the early Jagger / Richards composition "Congratulations,"
after which his Irish roots showed briefly in a six-month stint
with the prominent showband from Waterford, The Blue
Aces (HMV Records).
As a London resident, Michael established
himself as a freelance touring pianist/musical director with
visiting R&B stars such as Doris Troy, Edwin Star,
Ben E. King, and The Checkmates.
Michael joined The Checkmates
as a full member in 1966, helping the band's transition to mainstream
rock acceptance under their new name Ferris Wheel. Having
tasted songwriting success composing Marmalade's first
hit "Can't Stop Now" (CBS), he became chief writer/arranger
on a string of popular European releases from Ferris Wheel, retiring
from the band in 1969 to pursue songwriting and studio session
work, while also serving as a music publishing manager for the
world renowned Robert Stigwood Organization. During his
period he contributed to works by, most notably, Dusty Springfield,
Lulu, P.J. Proby, Badfinger, and a career highlight John
Lennon's "Power to the People" (Plastic Ono
Band.)
1971-72 saw a return to concert work
for Michael Snow with a 60-date tour as pianist with Chuck Berry,
appearing on the much sought-after bootleg "Six Two Five,"
and hisChess single "South of the Border." Micheal
also served as pianist and orchestra conductor on the solo debut
tour of ex-Zombies lead singer Colin Blunstone, and also
contributed to Colin's career highlight album "Ennismore"
(CBS)
Reuniting with soul music legend Doris Troy, he worked on her
George Harrison-produced album "Doris Troy"
(Apple Records) and her subsequent live concert album "The
Rainbow Testament."
In 1973, Michael moved stateside, settling
in Nasville, Tennessee, where he pursued songwriting, record
production and stints as a publishing executive. During this
period, his songs were recorded by Ray Stevens, Earl Scruggs,
and Julie Andrews. At the same time, Michael Snow
managed publishing for the legendary Bobby Russell ("Honey,"
"Little Green Apples," etc).
In 1986, Michael re-establshed his collaboration
with Dr. Hook lead singer/songwriter Dennis Locorriere (pictured
above), and the inception of his own recording studio and wholly-owned
publishing compnay, Irish Eyes Music.
A long standing friendship with fellow
Brit and guitar ace Ray Flacke (of the Ricky Skaggs Band
and studio fame) led to Michael co-writing and co-producing Ray's
1990 solo instrumental album "Untitled Island" (Intersound),
which was re-released in December on Pharaoh Records.
In the Ninteties, Michael has returned
more and more to his Irish roots. collaborating with members
of the Brady Family both in concert and in the studio,
producing County Tyrone songstress Elizabeth Reed, and
leading the 8-piece contemporary Celtic band Ceolta Nua along
with Elizabeth, Nanci Griffith drummer Patrick McInerney,
and the cream of Nashville's young Celtic/American musicians.
Michael's expertise on bodhran, accordion,
tenor banjo and vocals has been utilized to add the Celtic flavor
to recordings by Robert Earl Keene, Gloria Loring, Canada's
Leslie Schatz, Nashville folk artist Adie Grey, Cathryn
Craig, (whose album "Porch Songs" was voted one
of the top five country albums in Britain for 1996-97), contemporary
Christian star, Michael Card, and the acclaimed CD "Celtic
Passion = The Music of Roy Orbison."
Michael contributed six co-writes with
Brian Willoughby to the Strawbs' lead guitarist's 1999
solo album "Black and White" (P.Y.O. Records, collaborated
with Gloria Loring on "Invited To The Dance"
for her CD "Turn the Page (Silk Purse Records), and rounded
out the decade with a Locorriere/Snow tune (I Think I'm In Love)
on the gold record "Dr. Hook-Love Songs" (EMI).
In 2000, Michael released "Here
Comes the Skelly" (Irish Eye Records), the first volume
of a trilogy reflecting the Liverpool/Irish experience in musical
terms.
Snow teamed with Dennis Locorriere in Dennis' long awaited solo
debut "Out of the Dark" (Track/East-West) which featured
several Locorriere/Snow songs...and there was a spate of reissue
activity. Sequel Records (U.K.) gathered all of Michael's mid-sixties
output on Pye Records with Ferris Wheel and released the CD "Can't
Break the Habit," while Telebender/Pharoah Records (home
to the Hellecasters) reissued Ray Flacke's "Untitled Island."
The second volume of the Skelly trilogy,
"The Rats and the Rosary" completed production in January
2001 and was released that spring.
Although immersed in the completion
of the Trilogy during 2002, Michael also co-produced, M.D.'d
and played bass and Hammond B3 on the album "Reckless Johnny
Wales." Pictured left to right are Jeffrey "Skunk"
Baxter (of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame), Reckless himself,
Michael and Pat McInerney.
The final chapter of the Skelly Trilogy
"Never Say No To A Jar" was released June 9, 2003.
And one thing leads to another....
