[FM] FAME Review: The Mollys' "Only a Story" written by Jamie O'Brien

[David N. Pyles]

The Mollys
Only A Story
www.mollys.com
[APN0001CD]

The Mollys
PO Box 40940
Tucson, AZ 85717

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Jamie O'Brien 
[jobrien@paonline.com]

	Every now and then, you come across an album like this.  At first 
listening, one particular aspect of the recording grabs you - in this case, 
it's the voice of Nancy McCallion; a rich, full alto with just enough 
fragility for you to think it will break, maybe on the next note, but it 
never does.  Then, at each playing, you come to another layer and hone in 
on the next level - the melodies, the lyrics, the arrangements, the 
production...

	Musically, the Mollys are impossible to categorize as they glide from 
their basic folk/acoustic sound and touch on country, Mexican, Cajun, 
blues, and swing, among others.  On each song, McCallion takes on a new 
persona, singing with heart about love, pregnancy, smuggling and more, not 
necessarily your usual subjects.

	As lead vocalist, McCallion is the obvious focal point of the band.  Also, 
she is responsible for writing or co-writing all but one of the 13 
cuts.  In addition, she plays a competent guitar and adds to the band's 
diverse sounds with harmonica and whistle.  But taking such a prominent 
role does not result in the album sounding homogenous. Each track has its 
own character, more fully aided by the musicianship of fellow band members 
Catherine Zavala, Kevin Schramm, Dan Sorenson and Gary Mackender.

	The Mollys include mandolin, fiddle, accordions, bouzouki, steel, banjo, 
bass and percussion in their playing, while a handful of guests add even 
more to the already rich sound.  Yet there is no clutter---everything is in 
its place.  When a fiesta sound is needed, trumpets are there.  A lap steel 
warmly envelopes you, while a fiddle cries on a sad country song.  An 
accordion growls on a coal miner's lament.  There is something to fit every 
situation.

	This Arizona-based band has carved its own brand of music based on a wide 
range of styles, yet it manages to keep continuity in their sound.  The 
production is crisp and clean, allowing the voices to tell their stories 
and the instruments to add a colorful, deep backdrop.

	Unfortunately, "Youngest Daughter," the only instrumental on the album, is 
tame and lacks the punch of the preceding songs.  That song is followed by 
one of those annoying delayed endings.  That is a small complaint, however, 
for such an excellent original album.

	Sadly, it appears that Zavala (mandolin, vocals and fiddle) and Mackender 
(drums, percussion and vocals) have left the band since the release of 
"Only a Story."  But that doesn't change the appeal of their last recording 
together and I hope their replacements will add as much as the departed 
members have done here.

Don't Come On Strong (McCallion)
The Man In Question (McCallion)
I'm Not Willing (McCallion)
The Power Brothers (McCallion)
My Manda (McCallion/Zavala)
Don't Want To Outlive That Man Too Long (McCallion)
Only A Story (McCallion/Mackender)
Time To Burn (McCallion/Schramm)
Will You Forgive Me (McCallion)
Strike Me Down (McCallion)
Yer Drunk Again/Polka Del Diablo (McCallion/Schramm)
Come On With Me (McCallion)
Youngest Daughter (Trad. Arr. The Mollys)

Edited by David Schultz

Copyright 2000, Peterborough Folk Music Society.  This review may be 
reprinted with prior permission and attribution.

================
David N. Pyles
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
P. O. Box 459
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0459
(802) 257-0336 Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:30pm
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
=====================
some people think they got nothin' to say
they're just wishin the world would go another way
some people need to know the fire burns
in everybody's belly that's ever been born

raise your voice, don't leave it on the ground
raise your voice, let your hair hang down
raise your voice, make a lotta noise
make a whole lotta noise lemme hear the sound
make a whole lotta noise lemme hear the sound

 From "Raise Your Voice" by Tina Lear