Album Notes

Merlin Snider is a singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player in the Americana story-telling tradition. His music is a fresh stew of folk-blues, alternative country, and folk-rock. When "Between" was released, Jo Anne Montana said he is “my newest favorite folksinger—a Woody Guthrie for the 21st century.” Others have compared him to Neil Young, John Prine, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton, and Steve Goodman.

Snider’s first CD, “Between” (Barking Dog 1999) revealed a distinctive voice, wry and evocative story-telling, and what the Ventura County Star called “a good amount of wicked humor.” The Pasadena Weekly reported that “Between,“ notable for its skillful guitar work and beautifully spare production has garnered both critical acclaim and radio airplay across the United States and Europe.”

John McLaughlin of ESU Radio, Pennsylvania, said, “The writing is acute, the playing is sharp. “Between” is high quality across the board.” David Weide, KUNV, Las Vegas, named Snider’s song, “Hello Jesus” among the “favorites of 2000.”

Jon Jackson said that “All These Novembers is the best love song I've heard, and on reflection I don't believe I was exaggerating. I want to play it at my wedding and also at my anniversaries. So far, ATN is my favorite song on 'Between'. . . . Merlin's songwriting gift is the ability to use words to create vivid images and emotions. Colorful and evocative while steering clear of sticky sweet sappiness.”

Merlin has just released a new CD, “Right Here” and early reports are very positive. George Foster Peabody Award winning composer and long time bassist for Weird Al Yankovic, Stephen Jay, has said – "Amazing arrangements, I love it. The record bleeds love . . . A great album and a beautiful gift from Merlin to the world."

This is a folksinger with a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the School of Religion at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, (1988). His dissertation was titled, Morals and Irreligion: Kurt Vonnegut as Social Ethicist. All this education, the artist stubbornly believes, has made him a better songwriter.

Since the release of his "Between," Merlin has become a favorite performer at acoustic venues in Southern California, from the Fireside Concerts to The Coffee Gallery Backstage. Says one venue producer/host: “Merlin Snider does all the right things on stage. He not only sings and plays but he is the genuine article when it comes to wit, humor and being a sparkling personality. He wears no glitter, never bares his belly button and to tell the truth, his dancing needs work. In other words he delivers the real goods. He is a solid headline act and a delight to behold.” -- Bob Stane, The Coffee Gallery Backstage