Mallory & McCall have been performing together since 1973, yet there are so many people who have never heard of them. Finally steps are being taken to rectify this sad state of affairs as Mallory & McCall release their first officially available CD, the Rough Draft Sampler. Before now the only music available was a bootleg rehearsal recording (protected by a curse that makes the Black Pearl seem like a pleasure cruise). But now, as their website proclaims, “Mallory & McCall on CD – at last!” It surely sums up my feelings on the matter.

Like many groups, Mallory & McCall are using their first release to help defray the costs of their full length CD. This technique has been used successfully by such groups as the Merry Wives of Windsor and Rillian and the Doxie Chicks and is a great way for collectors to get their hands on rare cuts that might not make the final albums.

Word is that Mallory and McCall are working on two albums, and The Rough Draft Sampler is a six song release that includes songs being recorded for those CDs. Clocking in at just under a half hour, this sampler has as much music as some faire albums, and is a real treat.

The CD opens with "We’ll Rant and We’ll Roar (Like Bold Fighting Pirates)", an original adaptation of "Spanish Ladies". There have been a few pirate adaptations of the song over the years, but this one stands out as something really special. With a background choir, filled with the voices of a number of pirates, and various ambient background sounds help filling this track out, it is just delightful.

Mallory & McCall are such fixtures on the Ren and Pirate circuits that it is easy to forget that they also perform for Civil War gatherings, Victorian parties and Cowboy days. "Aces and Eights (Wild Bill’s Epitaph)" is a tune from the latter, and it is enrapturing in its simplicity. The tune, both mournful and haunting captures the feel of an old western ballad and highlights while telling the story of the death of Wild Bill Hickok.

Closing out the CD is The Derelict, a fun tune under normal circumstances, but transformed into the ultimate pirate song by Mallory and McCall. Rather than the light cartoonish version that so many of us remember from childhood, the song here is transformed into something dark and rich with menace. It should come as no surprise that more and more pirate groups have begun performing this version of the song, rather than the original arrangement. This chance to hear Mallory & McCall perform their original adaptation should not be missed.

Overall, the CD is immensely satisfying and leaves the listener with the promise of more to come, two CDs on the horizon. The Rough Draft Sampler is available for $10 from Mallory & McCall’s website.