I’d call it a case of record label and management interference. After Mitch Malloy’s sensational big-label debut in 1992, ‘Ceilings And Walls’ is a case of soft pop-rock and ballads, a complete turnaround from two year before.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Mitch Malloy
ALBUM: Ceilings And Walls
LABEL: RCA/BMG
SERIAL: 66369-2
YEAR: 1994
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Mitch Malloy – vocals, guitar * Tim Renwick, Mike Rutherford, Bob Halligan Jr, Bernie Leadon, Josh Leo – guitars * Mike Reid – piano * Steve Pigott – drums, bass, keyboards * Mark Feltham – harmonica * Luis Jardim – percussion * Warren Hill – sax
TRACK LISTING: 01 This Time * 02 Ready To Go Home * 03 Tumbling Down * 04 Over My Shoulder * 05 How ‘Bout Us * 06 Jesica * 07 Where Love Is No Stranger * 08 How Fast Forever Goes * 09 Say Whatever’s On Your Heart * 10 Time Stands Still * 11 Ceilings And Walls
WEBLINKS: Mitch Malloy FB Page
Background
I’d call it a case of record label and management interference. After Mitch Malloy’s sensational big-label debut in 1992, ‘Ceilings And Walls’ is a case of soft pop-rock and ballads, a complete turnaround from two year before. I’ll put a suggestion up and say that RCA were looking for the next Michael Bolton, and coupled with Mitch’s good looks, RCA probably thought they were onto a winner.
I’m not going to bag Mitch because I really admire his music and what he’s done on his own bat, both as a musician and producer, and to be fair, his vocal work on ‘Ceilings And Walls’ is still pretty good for what it is. Just that the selection of songs are so mushy.
The Songs
Don’t be expecting anything resembling his work from 1992. You won’t find it here. I’m not really going to run through the songs so much, for me personally it’s too upsetting to consider.. lol! If I can say anything, it would be to mention the two best songs on the CD: ‘Where Love Is No Stranger’ and ‘Say Whatever’s On Your Heart’. Mainly because these are the only two tunes to show any sign of life. The cover of Champaign‘s ‘How ‘Bout Us’ was so totally ill-conceived, I’m thinking ‘face-palm’ moment. Anyways..
In Summary
As it turns out, RCA threw in the towel after this. Or was it the other way round? Mitch Malloy should feel totally aggrieved at the mis-direction of the label-heads who all should have been lined up against a wall and pelted with paint-balls. Still, Mitch was good enough to carry on into the future, and continues to release music closer to his preferred style of acoustic-hard rock with a hint of Nashville sheen; the city he now lives in.
Mitch Malloy on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
