Snail - Snail & Flow (Reissue) (1978-79/2009)

Turns out that Snail had a rather long and convoluted history, tracing its roots back to the early-1960s and a series of Santa Cruz-based bands including The Vistells, The Cobras, and Talcon Wedge. The original Snail was formed in 1968 as a Cream-styled blues-rock trio featuring the talents of:
- former Gold Coast Five and Talcon Wedge drummer Ron Filmore
- former Vistells and Cobras lead guitarist Dave Kibler
- ex-Cobras and Talcon Wedge rhythm guitarist Bob O'Neill

In 1969 band expanded to a quartet with the addition of ex-The Bubble lead guitarist Ken Kraft. They then spent the next decade as local favorites playing clubs like The Valley Barn, Bodegas, Catalyst, Chateau Liberte, and The Wooden Nickel while also serving as a support act for touring national bands such as Clear Light, H.P. Lovecraft, The People, and Stained Glass.

Co-produced by Jerry Barnes and the band, by the time 1978's "Snail" was released the line-up featured Kraft, drummer Jim Norris, O'Neill, and bass player Jack Register. Musically this one wasn't bad, especially if you were into mid-1970s Doobie Brothers boogie, Firefall pop, or Poco-styled country-rock. On the other hand, if you wanted to hear their blues-rock roots, you were out of luck. True, there wasn't a great deal of originality to be found here, but exemplified by tracks like '' and '' these guys had a nice sound that was quite energetic and commercial.