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Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
http://archive.theskyiscrape.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=60866		 Page 7 of 10
Author:  Kevin Davis [ Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
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.
Author:  washing machine [ Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
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. :haha: @ kazaa. Good times.
Author:  Kevin Davis [ Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
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.
Author:  SuperNintendoChalmers [ Mon Dec 10, 2012 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Its a real diservice to overlook the Palace material.
Author:  Gods' Die [ Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
SuperNintendoChalmers wrote:
Its a real diservice to overlook the Palace material.


I've got 3 of them...and if I recall correctly 2 are pretty damn good and one is so sparse it's hard to get through.

And as camp as "Sings Greatest Palace Music" is I fucking love it.
Author:  Kevin Davis [ Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
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.
Author:  Gods' Die [ Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Kevin Davis wrote:
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.


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?
Author:  Harmless [ Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
I thought the Greatest Palace Music album was awesome, but I hadn't heard the songs before.
Author:  Kevin Davis [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
This beaut occupied thirty minutes of my afternoon today:
Image
Author:  cutuphalfdead [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
I need to get started on this guy. Where do I begin?
Author:  washing machine [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
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.
Author:  cutuphalfdead [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Thanks, friend.
Author:  cutuphalfdead [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Thanks, friend.
Author:  washing machine [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
No problem.

Often, shipping is free when you order from Drag city. FYI.
Author:  durdencommatyler [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
The only album of his that I've heard is Master and Everyone. And I love it.
Author:  washing machine [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
I feel like you'd really like Ease Down The Road, Joey.
Author:  durdencommatyler [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Cool. I've been wanting to pick up another of his works. Looks like now I know which one.
Author:  washing machine [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
durdencommatyler wrote:
Cool. I've been wanting to pick up another of his works. Looks like now I know which one.

Something about this song gets me every time.



Actually, this is a very "lenny" song.
Author:  cutuphalfdead [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Nice
Author:  lennytheweedwhacker [ Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Oldham / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
washing machine wrote:
durdencommatyler wrote:
Cool. I've been wanting to pick up another of his works. Looks like now I know which one.

Something about this song gets me every time.



Actually, this is a very "lenny" song.

What does that mean?
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