Saturday, September 20, 2008

Wil Malone (1970)

Not surprisingly, the debut solo album by the major creative force behind the group Orange Bicycle is similar in nature to the latter group's music. Almost self-consciously pretty in a manner closer to art-rock (or theater music) than psychedelia (despite its richly hued multi-colored cover), the overall feel of the album, between Wilson Malone's introspective vocals and the reed- and horn- dominated accompaniments with low-volume guitar, is somewhere midway between Baroque pop and singer/songwriter-style reflection. It's all rather dark and brooding but also very beautiful in its execution, and filled with haunting melodies and rich timbres, all of this despite the narrow range and limited expressiveness of Malone's voice, which - even with all of the help he seems to get from the studio in this setting - seems to reach only about half-an-octave. You might find yourself thinking of Wil Malone as a British equivalent to David Ackles' American Gothic, which it predated by two years, but that's not a bad benchmark to have hit, even if it didn't bring Malone much success in 1970.
(Bruce Eder, All Music Guide)

Wil Malone was also part of "Motherlight" who created the wonderful "Bobak, Jones and Malone" (I'm still not sure what's the album title and what's the group name). An original copy of his rare solo album sold lately at ebay for £ 1.950 (crazy). Even for a CD re-issue from Japan you have to pay on Amazon 54 Euro upwards. I've got this fine record at Soulseek and hope you enjoy it like I do (although I can't offer you the artwork).

Tracklist:
- Catherine Wheel
- I Could Write A Book
- February Face
- Love In The Afternoon
- Winter In Boston
- Caravan
- Down Maundies
- Suzy
- Tale To Tell
- One More Flight To Parker
- At The Silver Slipper
- How About Then

Personnel:
Wilson Malone (all instruments, vcls)

Origin:
London

Discographie:
Albums:
1. Funnysad Music (Morgan MR 112) 1968
2. Wil Malone (Fontana STL 5541) 1970

[1. as Wilson Malone Voiceband]

Link removed. A re-issue is available again.

Listen to Caravan

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

ANOTHER GEM, THANK YOU

Anonymous said...

a very good soft album for the beginning of the weekend.I see on all guide this artist recorded under Wilson Malone Voiceband an album called "funnysad music";have you this one?.

Buffalo Billycan said...

Sorry jeanbernard, I haven't this one. All I know is that this record dates from 1968 and was released on Morgan Bluetown. And just in case you haven't the "Revisited" Tapestry of Delights: it's described there as an album of "harmony laden arrangements of popular songs such as Penny Lane or No Milk Today".

ge said...

right up the alley where I live, merci

ge said...

PS: this reminded me of something, and I realise it's: APPALOOSA [that is a compliment] --about as grungeless and smartly-delicate as you can get

Anonymous said...

HI DO YOU HAVE PLEASE ALSO THE PEBBLES NUMBER 13?
IT'S THE ONLY PEBBLES THAT I DON'T HAVE......

Anonymous said...

Wilson Malone Voiceband can safely be avoided (I just entered it to Discogs: (http://www.discogs.com/release/1459436)

His work with "Bobak, Jons, Malone" on the other hand; highly recomended (http://www.discogs.com/release/1478805)

ge said...

it's even better than i thought, one of the strongest things discovered since visiting blogs; such a dreamy exotic [detached, playful, nutty] mood developed & sustained to that chamber ensemble's tasteful accompaniment

wynff said...

I sold an original copy of this for £50 a couple of years ago. I'd paid 50 pence for it, it was a bit scruffy and I didn't like the music much, so I thought I was doing well. Whoops. :/