--
Login
|
Logout
| User:
Not Signed In
| Email | Cart | Items
Home |
Magazine
| Photography |
Discussion
| Buy | Sell |
My Account
| About
www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk
Band:
Bonnie 'Prince 'Billy
Label:
Domino Records
Title:
Is It the Sea ?
Tweet
Review (1)
Release Details
Add Release
Releases (1)
Articles (0)
Cover Art (0)
Versions (0)
Edit Release
Releases List (1)
Reviews (1)
Pictures (0)
Summary (0)
Related (0)
Jukebox (0)
List All (1)
Band:
Bonnie 'Prince 'Billy
Title:
Is It the Sea ?
Reviewed By:
Jon Rogers
Date Published:
09/11/2008
Label:
Domino Records
Format:
CD
Release Year:
Label
Lookup:
There is something to be said that Will Oldham is just to darn good for his own good. He’s so prolific that he makes the likes of the Fall’s Mark E. Smith looks something of a work-shy layabout.
And being as prolific as Oldham (aka Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) isn’t necessarily a good thing. Hang around for a short while and another album of his will be passing by. For all Pennyblackmusic knows he’s probably putting the finishing touches on yet another album right now.
And as any fool know its quality rather than quantity. Luckily though for Oldham’s fans his output is of a pretty high quality and this BBC live recording from spring 2006 sees Oldham give a fresh twist to – mostly – old songs.
'Is It the Sea ?' sees Oldham pair up with Edinburgh’s Harem Scarem and Alex Nielson to give his back catalogue of alt country a fresh lick of paint with some Caledonian-style folk tinges.
It’s a captivating melding of Appalachian country and Caledonian folk, particularly when the group take on the traditional 'Molly Bawn'. Elsewhere the addition of female singers add a different take on Oldham’s often rather dark songs and they come into their own on 'Love Comes to Me'.
Dismissing 'Is It the Sea ?' as just another Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy album is really missing the point and it gives a good, general introduction to his songs. The songs are excellent, the playing superb and this recording captures something of the atmosphere of the original gig – no small feat considering the huge amount of below par live albums. But despite all that high praise there is one nagging doubt that lingers in the back of my mind. Do I really need yet another version of 'Master and Everyone'?.
Track Listing:
Commenting On: Is It the Sea ? by Bonnie 'Prince 'Billy
Header
Comment:
Your Name
Your Location
ie London, England
tick box before submitting comment
First
Previous
Next
Last
Related Bands
(edit)
Related Labels
Domino Records
Review Header
Captivating melding of Appalachian country and Caledonian folk on new live album from the ever prolific Will Oldham, who for this album is playing under the mantle of his alter ego, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Articles A-Z
View All
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Is It the Sea ? - CD
Captivating melding of Appalachian country and Caledonian folk on new live album from the ever prolific Will Oldham, who for this album is playing under the mantle of his alter ego, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
First
Previous
Next
Reviews A-Z
View All
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Top Articles (Current Magazine)
Stephen McLaren 'Put Me On The Television' Video Premiere
Hector Gannet Live at Polestar Studios
Jeremy Thoms Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities #2
Nicky Crewe A Life in Music
Steve Hackett Interview
McCookerybook and Rotifer Interview Part 2
Philip Parfitt Interview Part 1
U2 Raging Pages
Paul Brett Interview
Top Reviews (Current Magazine)
Rats on Rafts Excerpts from Chapter 3: The Mind Runs a Net of Rabbit Paths CD (Nonplace)
Lost Doves Set Your Sights Towards the Sun CD (Green Tea Productions )
Still Corners The Last Exit CD (Wrecking Light Records )
Gary Lucas The Essential Gary Lucas CD X2 (KFR )
Telescopes Songs of Love and Revolution CD (Tapete Records)
McKenzie FIX Pandora's Box CD (Crystal Seven Records )
Barry Gibb Greenfields CD (Universal Music)
RVDS Moods and Dances 2021 CD (Bureau B)
Celeste Not Your Muse CD (Polydor)
Arlo Parks Collapsed in Sunbeams CD (Transgressive Records)