The Purple Bird. Bonnie Prince Billy

For over 30 years Will Oldham is building a huge oeuvre in his own segment of country/folk/americana/roots music. First in combinations containing the word Palace and for a long time already under the alias Bonnie Prince Billy. His latest album is no exception to the rule. The music is, somewhat, though.

On The Purple Bird Oldham focuses more on his country side. Of course in most songs in his own unique way. The album opens with a beautiful country song. It contains all the elements that makes me like the genre. Not unlike David Sickmen's best songs for The Hackensaw Boys, 'Turned To Dust (Rollin On)' holds this bittersweet feel. without becoming despondent. The difference is the electricity and instruments. Oldman uses everything that was laying around or standing in the studio it seems. There's drums, an electric guitar, a Hammond organ, a violin, piano, bass, and percussion. However, when all is said and done, all instruments are used sparingly enough, to make 'Turned To Dust (Rollin On)' breath. On top of it all the song has a golden melody. While Will Oldham sings with a far softer toned, if not smoother voice than usual. He is often accompanied by a female and male voice. This is a tremendously beautiful song, perhaps the most beautiful of his whole career so far.

For The Purple Bird Oldham worked with a producer, in Nashville. And it shows. This is a Bonnie Prince Billy album and yet different. David "Ferg" Ferguson, who worked e.g. with Johnny Cash and Sturgill Simpson, has let all his producing skills loose on the album. The Purple Bird is so much smoother than the artist's regular albums. That may come as a shock to some of his fans, but to me it shows a different side of Will Oldham. A different side to his voice as well.

The overall feel of this album is just positive. 'Tonight With The Dogs I'm Sleeping', the third song, shows the musical looseness that is a trademark of Bonnie Prince Billy, yet in the studio all sorts of extras are added. Not just one but several, giving the track a country and blue grass feel. More traditional instruments like a banjo are added and almost a choir in the background.

A name that pops up because of the music, is Neil Young. Mind not the singing, as already explained above. That country feel that Young can have, is present on The Purple Bird. Another conclusion is, where I'd say that Bonnie Prince Billy usually makes music for men, this is his album for the ladies. Where men are welcome nonetheless. The Purple Bird is an album that wants to please and please. I am listening on my headset and the album is really coming across. Far better than through the speakers on my computer (that blew up listening to this soft album believe it or not).

Earlier this week, I was not sure whether I would buy this Bonnie Prince Billy album. I have a host of his albums already. Since then, I've changed my mind. Yes, another one will be added to my collection. "Come on in, the water's fine", as it were.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

You can listen to and order The Purple Bird here.

https://bonnieprincebilly.bandcamp.com/album/the-purple-bird