Bonnie "Prince" Billy Releases The Purple Bird

Will Oldham, aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, has just released his 27th album, The Purple Bird. Fans will find the album sits in a familiar country/Americana groove, but The Purple Bird seems to have a touch more fit, finish, and polish to the writing, recording, and playing. The Purple Bird was produced and engineered by longtime collaborator, David Ferguson, who also co-wrote 7 of the 12 songs on the album.

Other songwriting contributors include bluegrass legend Tim O'Brien, John Anderson, Ronnie Bowman, Tommy Prine, Pat McLaughlin, and Roger Cook, and sessions featured Steve Mackay on bass, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Russ Pahl on guitars, Pat McLaughlin on mandolin, and Fred Eltringham on drums and percussion. Background vocals by Brit Taylor and Adam Chaffin. There is also some excellent horn, cello, keys, and pedal steel playing, but credits are not readily available.

The record was cut live in Nashville by the above band with minimal takes or fuss, and the live feel and musical interactions are palpable. I have long been a Bonnie "Prince" Billy fan, but this release may be my favorite start to finish. It has beautifully introspective moments, songs that are fun and light-hearted, the playing is deep and moving, and in each instance the music and tones are perfectly woven together with the lyrics to create individual song worlds that are a joy to listen to.