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Like It Or Not Bob Malone is a raconteur of the human condition. He's a master wordwright as well as one of the finer pianists I've had the pleasure to hear. His muse is full of witty wordicisms as well as wordy witticisms. The music is an effective base for fine playing and growly vocals. His newest CD, Like It Or Not features more of a L.A. production but the feeling survives. His songs grab you in their honesty and you'll find frequent moments of "hey, that happened to me, too". Malone, originally from NJ, headed West and has looked back longingly ever since. The songs have a blues base and produce such complete visual pictures that they could be from a movie soundtrack. Bob and the band are monsters. Funny, accessible and telling it like it is from loss to giddy love to "I'm coming home, baby" phone calls from half a continent away. Malone writes with the same feel as Randy Newman or Billy Joel at his most intense and pounds like Longhair or Otis Spann. Bob sparkles with funk and razor sharpness. His best and most consistent disk, the best cuts are the Funky Meters-like "Like It Or Not" about a couple who deserve each other or the romantic NYC serenade called "Meet Me In Manhattan". The recounting of a lonesome longing long plunge across the indeterminate spaces, "Texas" drives and pulses. "Sometimes I Wish I Were Me" is self evident and outrageous while "Moderation" urges anything but. Closer "Just 'Cause I Sing The Blues (Don't Mean I Want To)" says it all. Malone is a songwriter. His songs live and love and rock and roll. He'll move you. by Mark Gresser |