The Serpent Power / Tina And David Meltzer - The Serpent Power / Poet Song (Reissue) (1967-69/2005)

Although it might seem confusing at first glance to combine two 1960s albums by different artists onto one single-disc CD reissue (with gatefold sleeve), it's a logical combination, since Tina & David Meltzer were the main players on both records. The first part of the disc is the Serpent Power's 1967 self-titled LP. That record is second- or third-tier San Francisco psychedelia, sounding at times like Country Joe & the Fish and the Jefferson Airplane in the mix of blues, minor-key folk-rock, winding guitar lines, hippie-ish lyrics, and angelic female vocals (by Tina Meltzer). The songs are not nearly as strong as those by Country Joe and the Airplane, though, and the 13-minute closer, "Endless Tunnel," frankly sounds like a second-rate variation on the Doors' "The End." Tina & David Meltzer's 1969 album Poet Song is more subdued, folky, and occasionally orchestrated, with some violins, cello, mandolin, French horns, clarinet, and sax in addition to the folk-rock guitars. The cops from the likes of Country Joe & the Fish and the Jefferson Airplane are toned way down, the music broken up by half a dozen spoken poems by David Meltzer with gentle guitar backup. Tina Meltzer takes the lead vocals more often than David Meltzer on the purely musical selections, a wise choice as she has the better voice, her rich and clear tones and phrasing suitable for the contemplative, wistful mood of the songs. The mood is nicely varied by the darkly comic, theatrical "I'm a Lover" (on which David Meltzer takes lead), the Latin rhythms and exuberant flute of "It Is for You," and the classical orchestration of "I'll Forget You."