REVIEW: Storyville - Bluest Eyes

by David Levine

Malford Milligan is an Albino, African- American. Buddhist, Texan who studied sociology.

So of course he became Front man for the Texas soul-rock band Storyville. Storyville is the creation of Mr. Milligan and collaborator, Craig Ross, who met when Malford joined Stick People, an Austin alternative band. Craig Ross later left Storyville and Mr. Milligan reformed the band with the cream of Austin musicians.

Storyvilles debut release, Bluest Eyes, is really a showpiece for Mr. Milligans soaring voice. Yes, he can sing! Sometimes sounding like Stevie Wonder, sometimes like Rev. Al Green and a pinch of Robert Palmer with a touch of Stevie Ray Vaughn and you have some idea of what this versatile singers voice sounds like. This a soulirock album not a soulirock blend. It switches between styles from song to song. The title track, Bluest Eyes(134k .au) (written by Mr. Milligan) was inspired by the Tony Morrison novel of the same name. It's an infectious soulful tune( I've still got the chorus stuck in my head) that explores racial exclusion and self worth. The lyrics create a clear picture of a boy who's mother takes care of a white families children... "I'm no stranger to this place. Been in your home everyday. Oh, my mother she wiped your face. But she pushed me away." Bluest Eyes is the best tune on the record. Also, the most personal. Mr. Milligan sings this one like he's been there.

The rock tunes on the record didn't grab quite as much. Although, the band can definitely rock, and Mr. Milligan has no problems with the vocals the arrangements are fairly stock and the lyrics on tunes like, One rock at a time(133k .au), don't compare to Bluest Eyes. I have a feeling though ,these tunes may come to life on stage.

As for the band the press package highly touts the rhythm section of Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton who played with Stevie Ray Vaughn in ,"Double Trouble". Shannon only plays on one cut on the whole record so that claim is well .... bogus. I did find it interesting that Shannon has also played with Edgar and Johnny Winter making him the only living bassist to play with three Albino front man. Also, on the record are guitarists David Grissom, formerly with John Mellencamp and David Holt (the Mavericks.)

This is a good record that's easy on the ears. It's not a challenging listen but Malford's voice is so sweet that you'll want to play it quite a few times. Other cuts to check out are Mercy Street(142k .au) (Peter Gabriel's ode to Anne Sexton) and Otis Redding's, A Change is Going to Come(168k .au)

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