Benefit for Mallory and McCall

Actually, 2 benefits! Mal and Mac of the Skeleton Crew Pirate Band are two of Bilgemunky Radio’s earliest supporters and most beloved performers. I wish I could attend these benefits to support them through difficult times, but I can’t. But any readers not so burdened by the realities of geography, PLEASE go – it should be a fantastic time for a good cause! Continue reading

Review: PiRATE PRiMiTiVE

Rating: ★★★½☆
www.malloryandmccall.com/PiratePrimitive.html

It stands to reason that any pirate worth his or her salt will probably wear at least a little bit of jewelry from time to time. Generally this would mean either wearing some gold and silver pretties that were stolen from a Spaniard, or perhaps some skull&crossbone ornamentation for those who like to flaunt their proclivity for plundering. But what about the third option? That which is born of sailors spending their time on beaches in the Caribbean? Jewelry derived from the local beads of wood and glass combined with a swab’s natural talent for knot work? This is the question, and PiRATE PRiMiTiVE would appear the answer. Continue reading

Review: Kings of the Sea

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Skeleton Crew Pirate Band
www.malloryandmccall.com

Genre: Traditional-styled sea and pirate shanteys, but with some deviation and unique character
Rating: PG
Target Audience: All Ages

The problem with period music is it sometimes leans towards the dry side. And while non-period music is often more fun, it generally clashes with any sort of authenticity (a problem at times, certainly.) But with their new album “Kings of the Sea,” The Skeleton Crew Pirate Band manages to straddle that difficult line and create an album that’s fun to listen to, while still lending itself to a period feel. I use the words “period feel” carefully, as not all of these songs are actually authentic. Many, in fact, are culled from a wide variety of movie favorites – Muppet Treasure Island, The Pirates of Penzance, Treasure Island, and Pirates of the Caribbean all lend tunes and lyrics to this album. But while the sources may be modern, the vocals and instruments throughout carry a traditional piratey air, only deviating a bit with some non-traditional vocal styles now and again. And indeed, many of the other songs truly are period (William Kidd, Pirate’s Love Song, and Henry Martin, for example) although they too feature some artistic liscence with styling (and more power to them!) Continue reading