Radio Free Newport

I have two entries I’m dying to write — one on Don Imus, college basketball coaches, and race, and the other on why the Floyd Landis case matters — but I’m mired in dissertation revisions at the moment. Soon, hopefully.

I was listening to the Vigilantes of Love yesterday. Lead singer/songwriter Bill Mallonee, who is VoL in the same way Chrissie Hynde is The Pretenders, has long been one of my favorite artists. I admire his heart-on-the-sleeve songwriting, literate lyrics (historical, fictional, and Biblical references abound), and soulful voice. There are a handful of singers with voices that aren’t considered exceptional by most folks, but that absolutely cut right to the core for me; Bill, Chris Whitley, and Tim Rogers (of You Am I) are the first who come to mind. (Anyone like this for you?) Pike 27 had the honor of opening for VoL at the Southgate House back in 2000.

I hadn’t read much about Bill in awhile and decided to catch up with his email list over lunch. I was saddened to learn that he’s been struggling for some time: his 20-year marriage came to an end, he is deep in debt, many of his Christian fans have turned their back on him (he’s always had one foot each in the secular and Christian music worlds), and he’s struggling to maintain his career (and at age 52, things aren’t going to get much easier for him on that front). Even after 23 records, much critical acclaim, and support from great artists like Peter Buck and Buddy Miller, he still doesn’t have much to show for his artistry and hard work. While no one ever said a career dedicated to art is an easy thing, he’s a supremely talented man who cares and thinks deeply about the world around him, and it’s hard to hear that he’s having a difficult time.

This week’s song is “Blister Soul,” the title track to VoL’s best record, released back in 1995. It’s one of the handful of records I consider musical comfort food, the ones I turn to when I’m stressed, run down, or just down. (Which is not to say that it’s a sad record — it also makes for great spring/summer listening.) It was the fourth song o’ the week I ever posted here, back in November 2004. Given Bill’s struggles, as well as some sad news I learned about a friend this week, it’s appropriate to repeat it here. Here’s to hoping that things straighten out for both of them soon.

Check out Bill’s new website — where you can buy digital downloads of many of his releases and download Summershine, one of VoL’s poppier releases, for free — and the VoL archive.

Song o’ the week: Vigilantes of Love – “Blister Soul” — from Blister Soul (1995). Lyrics are beneath the fold.

Blister Soul – Vigilantes of Love

yeah you got this place you go
it’s just a trip before the fall
way past the fevered pitch
just a spit from the wrecking ball

said you woke up this morning
said you woke up under a curse
i’ve heard the blues are bad
but this is something worse

and the ambulance driver
well he tips his hat and stares
and he asks you in a grave voice
can i take you anywhere

chorus:
yeah the thing we cannot speak of
too painful to behold
oh, this blister soul

there’s a smaller place you go
where there’s hardly any sound
where the deals have all gone sour
and the house of cards comes down

and the damage is costly
it’s beyond all dollars and sense
you can’t measure it with graphs and charts
or any instruments

chorus:
yeah the thing we cannot speak of
too painful to behold
oh, this blister soul

yeah from the trumpet blast
i hear the banging drum
yeah from once upon a time
to the kingdom come

and the thing that’s yours for free
is the thing i need the most
oh stifles every boast
stifles every boast