Post subject: Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:32 am
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:37 am Posts: 3819
I think '02 or '03 would have been when I first got into BPB--I had just discovered Pitchfork, and made my first order of business to do a search of all their "10.0" records and window shop them on Kazaa. I was pretty hooked by "I See a Darkness" right away, and maybe just a couple months later "Master and Everyone" came out. Even now those are probably my two favorite Billy records--all of his records are pretty perfectly of a piece, but I think it's especially true for those two. You're right, though, that each one has a distinct character of its own, which seems like a vague compliment until you actually hear the records and realize just how apt it is, not to mention how impressive considering that neither his primary instrumental palette nor his songwriting range seems especially broad.
I never really could get into much of his pre-BPB stuff--that crackly voice just pushes me one or two steps past my forgiveness threshold. I much prefer the takes on "Greatest Palace Music," which really brings out the song in a lot of those songs. A lot of really great musicians on there, too.
Post subject: Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:39 am
AnalLog
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:40 am Posts: 25451 Location: 111 Archer Ave.
Ah, you've answered a nagging question I've had about Oldham's career, which was "should I check the Palace stuff or not."
I think what we're both hitting on here, the fact that he continues to record quality material despite his constant output and limited range, indicates one thing, and one thing only: He's not an actual human being. He just isn't. Sure, he gives interviews on local news stations or with magazines that make him seem human, but really, that's all part of this "human" schtick put on by some other-worldly entity. These songs aren't even really recorded. They're made of mind magic.
Oh, one more thing. @ kazaa. Good times.
Last edited by washing machine on Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Post subject: Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:51 am
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:37 am Posts: 3819
I kind of distrust my own opinion on the Palace material, as a good few Oldham fans completely swear by it, so I might advise against letting my word on it be the last. I remember at least a few people remarking at the time that the "Greatest Palace Music" album was complete sacrilege, though that opinion does seem to be somewhat less pervasive among more recent converts who weren't previously attached to the rickety, intimate takes on the Palace albums.
Post subject: Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:15 pm
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:37 am Posts: 3819
Gods' Die wrote:
And as camp as "Sings Greatest Palace Music" is I fucking love it.
I always thought the camp on that record was overstated--it's definitely there in some of the more upbeat numbers, but a lot of the slower-tempo tunes ("New Partner," "Gulf Shores," "The Brute Choir," "Agnes Queen of Sorrow," "Riding") I actually think get an emotional boost from the professional musicianship and end up carrying a more serious weight than their less polished, poorer-sung Palace-era precursors. It's definitely Nashville music in the authentic vein, nothing like the overproduced novelty record it frequently gets mistaken for.
And as camp as "Sings Greatest Palace Music" is I fucking love it.
I always thought the camp on that record was overstated--it's definitely there in some of the more upbeat numbers, but a lot of the slower-tempo tunes ("New Partner," "Gulf Shores," "The Brute Choir," "Agnes Queen of Sorrow," "Riding") I actually think get an emotional boost from the professional musicianship and end up carrying a more serious weight than their less polished, poorer-sung Palace-era precursors. It's definitely Nashville music in the authentic vein, nothing like the overproduced novelty record it frequently gets mistaken for.
Yeah...I think it's a pretty cool change of pace from the rest of his work. And I think it shows his immense talent and versatility.
Curious...have you ever listened to his version of Mark Lanegan's "Sunrise" played with the Soulsavers?
_________________ All your cryin' don't do no good...
Post subject: Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:13 pm
AnalLog
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:40 am Posts: 25451 Location: 111 Archer Ave.
I See A Darkness is probably the most logical place to start, but to be honest, BPB didn't really click with me until Wonder Show of the World. I think you'd really like that record, Pete. It showcases a lot of what he's all about, and it plays to a lot of your sensibilities.
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