MULE by Bill Mallonee & The Big Sky Ramblers (Dec./2016)

MULE.
Dive into these songs, friends. I don't think you'll be disappointed. "MULE" is one of the most poignant and self-disclosing collection of songs I've written. Pretty much the years of "processing" life, the road and what I try to do as an artist. The upshot of long & deep conversations with wife, musical partner & co-conspirator, Muriah Rose.

A few of these songs had to wait. And they waited very politely.
They were Fully realized, well-recorded and eager to get in the game,
It's all here: heartland rockers, high & lonesome numbers, vulnerable stories with a touch of surrealism, "homilies."
A lovely Autumnal album. (What IS it about the change of seasons here that so inspires?)

But these songs had to wait...until now. Let me explain...

I'm a believer in the short & sweet ride; it's a ride that should be and full of nurturing conversation, instrumentally and lyrically.
I think, when it comes to the listener, an artist should endeavor to keep albums to a "digestible" portion is absolutely THE way to go.

Almost ALL of the truly great records of the 60's and 70's were 35-40minutes. The LP may have had it's limitations, but it also "imposed" a certain boundary on it's time length. It made for, I believe, sets of great songs. No filler, no "repeating oneself."

A pox upon the Cd format.
Just because the thing will hold 65minutes of music does not mean an artist should try & fill it up. Personally? I think long records water down concepts & contribute to mediocrity, but that's another essay. (And this is coming from an artist who use to almost always fill his early releases to the brim.)

Write your songs.
Say your piece.
Try to make it an interesting ride.
Get in. Get out.

No. The albums I've made o'er the last 10 years (some 40, I think) are theme focused; I want them to be conceptually integrated.;
Meticulously edited and sequenced so the ride will be short & sweet & (above all) nurturing & memorable.

A few of these songs are garnered from different sessions, but thematically & musically, they all roll to a basic point.
Together, they feel quite like a concept record to me.
Songs that are Good brothers & sisters, each looking out for the other, each enjoying one anothers company.

So, this "MULE" ride?
It's a healthy 48 or so minutes of new songs...
And yes, they're pretty introspective (but not bleak)
And yes, mules are known for be a bit slow...
But, they're always Sure...
....and they are always Tried & True....

Bill Mallonee
November/2016

Tracklist

1.	YOU'RE STILL CRYIN' HARD ON THE INSIDE	6:36

2.	KISSING BOOTH	4:17

3.	GHOST WALTZ	5:44

4.	RENO IS A HELL OF A PLACE (TO HAVE YOUR LUCK RUN DRY	4:28

5.	STAR~LIGHT	3:27

6.	DOESN'T TAKE TOO MANY FRIENDS (Really, Only One)	5:07

7.	AND I'M GOING UNDER	3:29

8.	FOREVER & FOR ALL	3:47

9.	THE KINGDOM'S FIRST NEW MORN (I Won't Bore You With The Details)	4:34

10.	LOSIN' STREAK (Bonus track/alt. mix/vocal up a nudge)	6:10

Credits

released November 18, 2016

Bill Mallonee: vocals, harmonies, electric & acoustic guitars, resonator guitar, hi-string guitar, bass, drums, lap steep, organ, harmonica
Muriah Rose: organ, piano, vocals

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