Bonnie 'Prince 'Billy - Is It the Sea ?

  by Jon Rogers

published: 9 / 11 / 2008

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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:-

1 Minor Place
2 Love Comes To Me
3 Bed Is For Sleeping
4 Arise Therefore
5 Wolf Among Wolves
6 Ain't You Wealthy? Ain't You Wise?
7 Cursed Sleep
8 Molly Bawn
9 Birch Ballad
10 New Partner
11 Is It The Sea?
12 My Home Is The Sea
13 Master And Everyone

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