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Vigilantes of Love, Live at the 40Watt (1998)
"i distinguish a voice that i hear in the wind
like a radio station not quite locked in
once a whisper, now, as loud as a scream...."
-"Offer"
Somewhere during the past four decades, live rock and roll albums became producer fodder. Overdubs, punch-ins and studio-added applause have conspired to relegate most concert recordings to the "7-Up" variety: crisp and clean with no caffeine.
Thank goodness Bill Mallonee and his Vigilantes of Love are either too virtuous or too poor to add unneeded studio shinola to their newest release, Live at the 40-Watt. The sinewy, sweaty, musical labor that defines a Vigilantes concert has been distilled into thirteen live tracks (plus one studio gem) recorded one summer night on the band's home turf, the 40Watt in Athens, Georgia. The limited edition CD, distributed exclusively by PasteMusic (pastemusic.com), is full of the grit and authenticity fans have come to expect from VoL. One day fans may look back on this release as a great primer for the uninitiated.
Two previously unreleased songs ("It Could Be a Lot Worse" and the wonderful and autobiographical "Ballad of Russell Perry") open and close the disc. In between, you'll find an arresting if not curious lineup, including Blister Soul, To The Roof of the Sky, and an upbeat rendition of Offer that maintains the 1995 version's leslie-cabinet organ feel, thanks to a cameo appearance by Randall Bramlett sitting in on the Hammond B-3.
Mallonee shines brightest under cannister gels and arc spots--making his pronouncements while tethered to his Fender amp. Nearby, versatile Kenny Hutson handles pedal steel, mandolin, guitars and harmonies as the band--far from sounding understandably road-weary--walks through the songs it carries from stage to stage, night after night.
Had Communiqué instituted a 'star' rating system, Live at the 40-Watt would pull a strong four-and-a-quarter out of five. Buy it with confidence. Although your eyes will no doubt miss the requisite VoL accoutrements (Mallonee's tendency to drive home poignant lyrics by knocking on his head with his fist, or his suddenly dropping to the stage onto his knee and then popping back up again to steady himself at the mic), your soul will be filled and your ears satisfied.
- prs