 Bill Mallonee in concert |
Kit 
Flower in the Sand
Registration Date: 06-02-2004
Posts: 1,695
Location: AUSKIMG TEGSAGS
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Bill Mallonee (formerly of Vigilantes of Love)
Sam's Place
Longview, TX
February 4, 2005
A friend of mine helps book acts for a little club in Longview, TX called Sam's Place. He informed me that the ex-lead singer of a band called Vigilantes of Love was playing. I was always a semi-big fan of the band so I figured that since I was planning on visiting him anyways, we may as well swing by and watch. At least I could get an autograph or something.
The first opening act was Jeremy Bailey, who played your typical run-of-the-mill predictable CCMish worship/pop. The guy strummed his acoustic guitar to pre-recorded tracks with archaic drum and keyboard flourishes created for his performance. Trouble is, he had a hard time staying on beat with the tracks. But to his credit - I was informed he had never heard them before until the performance. He played 2 songs. A little more impressive was second act, Rebecca Friedlander. She played keys in a style not unlike Tori Amos. Lyrics were worshipful in a way that would bring to mind Rebecca St. James, with more moments of introspection than said artist. A pretty pitch perfect voice. You may possibly hear more of her in the future if she can escape the clutches of the small town music abyss of Longview, TX and get noticed.
Finally, Bill Mallonee, the headliner comes up, complete with harmonica, guitar, and quite a bit to say - much to the chagrin of folks in the audience, who obviously aren't used to the more unconventional artist. Bill tore through a selection of songs from his 2 solo records, Perfumed Letter and Dear Life in addition to several other songs from the V.O.L. catalogue. Bill effortlessly tortures both his guitar strings and plays the harmonica at the same time - which is something you don't see often. His Dylan-esque lyrics and socio-political commentary were either not embraced very well or just flat out misunderstood given his college-professor like intellect. But I think the main thing that disturbed some audience members was his use of "inappropriate" words. This was most evident when Bill started playing one of his more quiet numbers, not to mention one that was about what he considered to be serious subject matter. There were scattered groups of people, particularly those at the foosball table in the corner of the room, that were consistently loud throughout the set. As Bill introduced the song, he said something along the lines of "This is a gentler number so if I could have some silence that would be f***ing great." He didn't actually say the f-bomb but he mouthed it. Anyways, the few fans that were actually there in the room, including myself, were quite impressed by the intimate and revealing performance. Others, not so much. It should be noted that Bill does not usually do these types of venues. However, it's a shame that disrespect for an artist while performing is considered to be less offensive than a naughty word.
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02-07-2005 20:52 |
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Marti
Radioactive Crow
Registration Date: 06-01-2004
Posts: 10,098
Favorite 77s album: Drowning with Land in Sight
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You have to find your threshhold for such things reading Solzhenitsyn as well.
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“This Jesus that the Christians speak of, he sounds like a good man. Why don’t they follow his teachings?” - Crazy Horse
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02-08-2005 15:08 |
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.evangeline.
Radioactive Hatchling
Registration Date: 06-05-2004
Posts: 8,128
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i can't recall Alexander ever mentioning foosball?
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"...the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
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02-08-2005 17:57 |
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Marti
Radioactive Crow
Registration Date: 06-01-2004
Posts: 10,098
Favorite 77s album: Drowning with Land in Sight
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| quote: |
Originally posted by .evangeline.
i can't recall Alexander ever mentioning foosball? |
Well, no, but he's used a word or two in his time that would make Grandma blush.
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“This Jesus that the Christians speak of, he sounds like a good man. Why don’t they follow his teachings?” - Crazy Horse
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02-09-2005 04:25 |
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rebecca
Someone New
Registration Date: 10-07-2005
Posts: 1
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| RE: Bill Mallonee in concert |
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Hey,
I was browsing the net and came upon my name in your site. This is Rebecca Friedlander who opened for Bill Mallonee in Longview, TX. I found your review and am planning to quote it on my web site (if you have any objection to this, please let me know). I work at a local studio and produce, engineer, write music and answer phones... Anyway, I just released my new project and was wondering if there was anyone from the 77s who would be willing to critique it for me. Honest appraisal please. I like to have divers opinions.
If you would, drop me a line. My web site is www.rebeccafriedlander.com.
Thanks!
In His Grip,
Rebecca
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Rebecca
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10-07-2005 14:54 |
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Kit
Flower in the Sand
Registration Date: 06-02-2004
Posts: 1,695
Location: AUSKIMG TEGSAGS
Thread Starter 
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10-09-2005 18:51 |
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