Celts and Cobras
Introduction '''''Celts and Cobras''''' is the second and final studio album from the Scottish neo-rockabilly group the Shakin' Pyramids (billed on the album cover as "Shakin' Pyramids"), released in 1982 by Cuba Libre, a subsidiary of Virgin Records. "Just a Memory" and "Pharaoh's Chant" were released as singles from the album. It features a more diverse instrumental palette than the band's debut album, ''Skin 'Em Up'' (1981), but was seen as a departure from the group's original, immediate sound.
Reception ''Celts and Cobras'' features more varied instrumentation than previous Shakin' Pyramids releases, but was seen as a departure from the band's original, immediate sound. ''Trouser Press'' said, "''Celts and Cobras'' offers a higher percentage of their own songs, but on it they're accompanied by piano, accordion, electric bass and even — gack! — a string section... The band still rocks, but they'd better figure out where they're going." AllMusic gave the album 3/5 stars, and opined that "the energy and verve of their debut had been replaced by a stultifying maturity." Ethnomusicologist Craig Morrison wrote, "''Celts and Cobras'' drifted farther from rockabilly as they broadened their horizons... One writer asked, "From neo-rockabilly to neo-schlock—is this neo-progress?"
Track listing '''Side A:''''''Side B:'''
Personnel ===The Shakin' Pyramids===*Davie Duncan – Lead vocals, drums, percussion, tambourine*James G. Creighton – Acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic bass, mandolin, background vocals*"Railroad" Ken McLellan – Acoustic guitar, background vocals===Additional Personnel===*Bob Andrews: Piano, electric bass*Geraint Watkins: Accordion*Mitch Caws: Slap bass*John Willoughby: Upright bass*Andy Powell, Paul Hughes: Electric bass*Strings arranged by Roy Clark
References