BONNIE “Prince” Billy/Will Oldham has been even less settled than a chameleon in a 15-year career on the country fringes. So much so that he once covered his own songs, but this time he has found a warm place to stay awhile amid the ancient charms of his olden voice.
Beware is his most conventional album, a country rock record with room for sweet and soulful female accompaniment on the opening Beware Your Only Friend. He says there aren’t many songs about sex and death – his usual tropes – but such titles as Death Final, You Don’t Love Me and Heart’s Arms would contradict him.
Beware Billy, he is a liar but his songs ring as true as George Jones at his Seventies’ best, the darkness shadowing the light as it always must when travelling country roads.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here