Will Oldham is not accustomed to working with outside producers, but his collaboration with David “Ferg” Ferguson has been a long time in the making. They first met over twenty years ago while Johnny Clash was recording a cover of Oldham’s classic Bonnie “Prince” Billy track, ‘I See a Darkness’; Ferguson engineered the record it appeared on, American III. Oldham and Ferg maintained a deep friendship over the years, with Ferg even playing at Oldham’s wedding. Finally getting the chance to make an album together, they traveled to Nashville and gathered a talented group of musicians for the sessions that resulted in The Purple Bird. The album is a country take on a Bonnie “Prince” Billy album, with a mix of humor and nostalgia, but with a more optimistic tone. Despite still acknowledging darkness, Oldham sings about learning to overcome it and embrace the light of a new day. The wait for this album was well worth it.
1. Turned to Dust (Rolling On)
Oldham, with the help of bluegrass musician Ronnie Bowman, starts the album with a song about accepting the inevitable passage of time. The song hints at the Earth’s eventual demise, but also offers a hopeful solution in the form of love and understanding.
2. London May
Oldham faces darkness head-on in this track, with haunting piano and fiddle accompaniment creating a sense of foreboding. Despite the somber tone, Oldham sings about countering death’s grip with thoughtful action and love. Brit Taylor’s vocals add a beautiful touch to the melancholic melody.
3. Tonight With the Dogs I’m Sleeping
This lively singalong track lightens the mood with its rowdy energy and humorous lyrics about marital strife.
4. Boise, Idaho
Oldham showcases his songwriting prowess in this track, moving from humor to heartbreak as he reflects on past mistakes and their consequences. The addition of mandolin and backing vocals provides a comforting backdrop to the emotional lyrics.
5. The Water’s Fine
Oldham echoes the sentiment of finding solace in troubled times through the metaphor of swimming in troubled waters. The track serves as an anthem of unity and understanding amidst chaos.
6. Sometimes It’s Hard to Breathe
With a mix of optimism and realism, Oldham sings about the importance of hope, truth, and faith in facing life’s challenges. The song’s spectral quality is enhanced by fiddle and electric guitar accompaniment.
7. New Water
A poetic take on seeking solace in solitude, ‚New Water‘ explores themes of loneliness and reflection.
8. Guns Are for Cowards
This quirky track delves into themes of violence and its consequences, set against a polka arrangement that adds a touch of irony to the serious subject matter.
9. Downstream [feat. John Anderson]
Featuring country legend John Anderson, ‚Downstream‘ explores the healing power of water and the need to tread carefully in uncertain times. The track’s depth is enhanced by Anderson’s vocals and the haunting Uilleann pipes.
10. One of These Days (I’m Gonna Spend the Whole Night With You)
A heartfelt and romantic track, ‚One of These Days‘ expresses hope for a lasting connection in a world of uncertainty.
11. Is My Living in Vain?
Taking a darker turn, Oldham covers a gospel song that questions the value of one’s existence. The track serves as a reflection on despair and the search for meaning.
12. Our Home [feat. Tim O’Brien]
The album ends on a positive note with ‚Our Home‘, a joyful celebration of the idea of home and community. Tim O’Brien’s mandolin adds a bright touch to the collective spirit of the song. „Du bist nur so gut wie die Leute, die du kennst“, singt Oldham, nicht nur beweist er seinen Punkt, sondern macht er etwas, worüber man sich freuen kann.
Der Lila Vogel von Bonnie „Prince“ Billy“