The Heights at Brother Vics
to host George Mallas’ Sophomore CD Release Party
By:
Jacque Roche
Happy New Year!
If you live in the Hudson Valley and resolved to support local musicians
while visiting the venues that feature them, you’re in luck! Between the covers of More Sugar Magazine, you will always find our nightlife options are
unlimited and the venues are bursting with talent!
This month I had an opportunity to listen and
review an advanced copy of singer/songwriter, George Mallas’ original
compositions on his sophomore album, Unscathed.
George is an inimitable individual, a genuine
gentleman and a polished performer who willingly directs the spotlight from
himself onto David Powers (Producer/guitar/cello), Lisa Dodakian (violin), Tony
Aiello (sax), Emma Kiara (vocals), Julie Sorcek (flute), Chris Davis (slide
guitar) and Mike Cohane (drums), stating, “I
am lucky to have the talents of these local musicians along with David Powers’
vision. They really brought these songs
to life.”
The appreciation of his fellow musicians
doesn’t stop at grateful recognition. The album liner notes includes the
following dedication: “This album is
dedicated to all musicians who go unrecognized in their labor of love and to
those who open their venues to musicians who would otherwise never be heard.”
Sorry ladies, the silver fox is off the market.
Melanie Berti is not only his life
partner, but in addition to being the album’s cover photographer and CD
designer, the two collaborated on three of the 11 tracks; I Take a walk, (a Mallas-Kiara duet), You Fell For Me and The
Problem. “I had no idea Melanie could write lyrics. After she wrote the lyrics to Don Egry’s Standing in the Rain, I was in
awe and gave her music and an idea where I wanted the lyrics to go for 3 other
tunes. When I wrote the music to Ends of
the Earth (my favorite) and asked Mel to write lyrics, she refused and told me
I was getting lazy. She was right, as usual,” Mallas jests.
George has hit his stride with this new release.
His (and Melanie’s) lyrics are memorable
and at times ironic; particularly in the cut entitled, First Time Last Time (Old Man’s Rant), which I predict will become
an anthem for all gents looking at the other side of 60. There were moments when listening that I was
tearing up and others were I was simply stunned by the quality of George’s pleasing
tone and relaxed melody. His music
engulfs the listener into a warm embrace that one must reluctantly release upon
the completion of his 11 songs.
George and Melanie are hosting a CD Release
Party for “unscathed” on Sunday,
January 7th at 3 pm, utilizing the high-quality audio and visual
equipment at The Heights and Brother Vic's in South Salem, NY.
Following an opening set, performed by David
Powers, George and his band will perform a concert covering the entire album
with a bonus performance by Emma Kiara singing another of George’s original
compositions, You Don’t Notice When it
Rains.
The Release Party is a free event open to the
public with food and beverages available for purchase from the large-event
caterer.
If you’d like to keep up with George Mallas,
purchase his new CD or attend his release party, follow him on www.mallasmusic.com
or join the FB Event, George Mallas CD Release party Unscathed.
The Heights is located at 920 Oakridge Commons,
(behind the mall) South Salem, NY 10590. To learn more about The Heights visit the
website:
https://www.theheightsatbrothervics.com or call 914.704. 8427.
Jacque Roche is a “More
Sugar” contributor, author of a weekly “Positive Insights” newsletter, a talent
buyer/booker, FB Jedi Master & Host of Jacque’s Giant Hudson Valley Music
Show on 103.7 WPWL, streaming Thursday nights, 8-9 pm EST on www.pawlingpublicradio.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment