Pitchfork report today that our favourite royal americana star Will Oldam aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy will be publishing a book compiling his lyrics later this year. They report: “Songs of Love and Horror is out October 9 via W.W. Norton and Company. The collection will feature the lyrics to more than 200 songs spanning from the early 1980s to the present.” Here’s the cover of the book, along with the video for ‘I See a Darkness’ which if you’ve never seen it before will be the most entertaining 2 minutes and 41 seconds you spend doing something today. Continue reading “Will Oldham publishes book of his lyrics”
Tag: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy announces new album, new video – Watch
And it’s as oddly esoteric as you might imagine from his highness, amazing cover too. “The Pitch” reports: “Bonnie “Prince” Billy, aka Will Oldham, has announced a new album that covers Susanna’s 2007 LP Sonata Mix Dwarf Cosmos in its entirety. It’s called Wolf of the Cosmos, and it’s out November 17 via Drag City. He also shared a new music video for “People Living,” featuring footage from the Charlottesville riot. Check out the full tracklist and cover art below. Continue reading “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy announces new album, new video – Watch”
Bonnie ‘Prince’ talks Merle Haggard
Let’s face it, he’s probably still not going to beat Mel B’s version of “Word Up” in terms of classic covers but good on him for having a go. Rolling Stone reports: “Imagine arranging Merle Haggard’s millions of fans in concentric circles. In the outermost ring, place the casual listeners, the ones familiar with “Mama Tried,” some of the canonical 1960s material and maybe the hoopla around “Okie From Muskogee.” A slightly smaller – if still spacious – circle encompasses those who stuck with Haggard as long as country radio did; he scored his last Number One airplay hit as a solo artist in 1987. Next you enter into a circle of dedicated enthusiasts, the active listeners who have continued to hunt down and pore over Haggard’s LPs, and that’s where you’ll find Will Oldham, who records under the name Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Continue reading “Bonnie ‘Prince’ talks Merle Haggard”
Bonnie “Prince” Billy covers Merle Haggard with his dogs – Watch
This is pretty amazing from Pitchfork over the weekend. It beats Marc Métral and his talking dog Wendy. They report: “Bonnie “Prince” Billy, aka Will Oldham, gave morning television viewers in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky a taste of his forthcoming Merle Haggard tribute album, Best Troudabor. He appeared on local morning show “Great Day Live!” earlier this year to perform a cut that didn’t make the project’s final tracklist. And he wasn’t alone. Oldham brought along two dogs (Silver and Gold), who gamely sat beside him while he and his wife Elsa performed “Bad Actor.” That track appears on Haggard’s 2010 album, I Am What I Am. Best Troubador arrives May 5 via Drag City. In March, Oldham released a 360-degree VR video for the track, “Mama Tried.” Continue reading “Bonnie “Prince” Billy covers Merle Haggard with his dogs – Watch”
Will Oldham covers Merle Haggard in a bath – Watch
OK it’s not quite a bath, but it would have been an even better story if it was. Stereogum report: “Next month, Will Oldham will release Best Troubador, a Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy album made up of Merle Haggard covers. We heard his take on “Mama Tried” last month, and today he’s shared a video of him performing the late-period Haggard track “Bad Actor” in a steamroom. It’s not as steamy as you’d might expect given the locale, but Oldham is accompanied by his wife Elsa for the performance. Watch below.” Continue reading “Will Oldham covers Merle Haggard in a bath – Watch”
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Courtney Marie Andrews cover Nina Simone – Listen
This is lovely if you have four minutes to spare. Consequence of Sound report: “After political happenings Friday handed 45 the second major loss of his two-month-old presidency, it feels like a good time to be part of the #Resistance. Now is not the time to rest, however, as there will be plenty of chances to press the advantage in the near future. That’s why the Our First 100 Days series is continuing on today with a reminder that true freedom must be fought for constantly. Continue reading “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Courtney Marie Andrews cover Nina Simone – Listen”
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy to release Merle Haggard covers album – Listen
You did read that headline correctly. Rolling Stone reports: “Merle Haggard’s influence knew no bounds, attracting fans from all genres of music. That powerful pull has inspired a new album from indie folk-rock artist Bonnie “Prince” Billy, a forthcoming collection of Haggard covers called Best Troubadour. Bonnie “Prince” Billy, also known as Will Oldham, is a longtime fan of the “Okie From Muskogee” Hall of Famer, having covered a Haggard song at his first public performance 25 years ago. He also interviewed the legendary songwriter for a magazine feature in 2009 and included a cover of “Because of Your Eyes” on a 7″ vinyl release in 2011. Continue reading “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy to release Merle Haggard covers album – Listen”