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July 30, 2006

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than "The Malo"


Raul Malo

Saturday, July 29th, was a very hot summer night at the Coach House, as the audience waited with anticipation for the "man with the golden voice" to transcend the stage. And, there usually is a lot of that anticipation floating through the air with the Coach House's usual two opening acts. This time around local singer, songwriter and guitarist, Brooke Ramel, opened the show with a half hour acoustic set. Ramel was followed by actor/singer, John Corbett (Northern Exposure), a raucous 45 minute set of Southern Rock which seemed to win the crowd over. Taste in music is tantamount to individual choice, but let's just say that Corbett seemed to warm the stage and crowd even more for what was to take place next...Raul Malo, or "The Malo" as he's known.

It was Mr. Malo who had the ladies mesmerized and glued to their chairs. The amazing thing is that he doesn't even have to do much at all. Singing is so natural to him he does it with ease and it oozes that Latin charismatic charm. So much so, that his voice resonates the room because of his wondrous vocal range. Who else can be singing a mellow tune and bring it all the way back to a rockin' version of "Twist and Shout"? He can and does very easily.

So, there we were in out box seats, so to speak. It was our first time sitting in the black box area, as I call it. VIP Section, or whatever it might be tagged. A perfect area to scan the crowd and watch the audience reaction. No doubt, they were under his spell. It's nice to hear a singer do his own material mixed with personal renditions of old classics, like "At Last", Etta James most famous blues recording. Throughout the night he offered a range of songs done in his own style and stemming from the likes of Van Morrison's "Bright Side of the Road" to Guantanamera (originally by the Sandpipers in the 60's and revived in the movie the Buena Vista Social Club).

Some might remember that Raul Malo was at one time the lead singer for the music group, The Mavericks, who won several CMA Awards in the mid 90's. Though some of those songs are now a part of the past, they are still remembered in his shows and the crowd loved hearing "Dance the Night Away" and several others. Since that time, Malo has carved his own way in the music world tapping different resources from Latin to Classic Standards, along with his own personal songwriting abilities.

This past week, Raul Malo's newest album "You're Only Lonely" was released on Sanctuary Records. Produced by Peter Asher and consisting of 12 classic standards, ranging from Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb's "Run To Me"; Willie Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground"... to Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home" (a duet with Martina McBride).

Of course, there's nothing like a live show to bring it all home, so be sure to check out www.raulmalo.com for tour dates and locations in your area. You won't want to miss this performance!

Posted by CindyLu at July 30, 2006 8:41 PM