After A Horrific Night Comes Bright Day

New music from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. London May is song two of twelve on twenty second album, The Purple Bird, arriving January twenty twenty five.

I really like London May and I especially like the video directed by Sai Selvarajan. London May is named after the writer and musician, who also co-stars with Will in the video. I confess that I've not heard of London May before now, but they have a colourful and interesting history, to say the least.

I thought I had more of Will Oldham's music in my collection than I did. It turns out that I have a smattering of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy songs and collaborations from various periods (and mostly various artist compilations). Just the one album, in fact, and that being There Is No-One What Will Take Care Of You by Palace Brothers, from thirty one years ago.

Any recommendations for where to start and/or some essential listens are very welcome.

In writing this, I've also just discovered that Will and I were born four days and roughly four thousand miles apart. A shared love of music and star sign might turn out to be the only things we have in common, but maybe that's enough.

Happy birthday for 15th December, Will, hope it's full of love, hugs and melodies.

Songs For The Young At Heart

I discovered a second hand copy of Songs For The Young At Heart almost by accident, but it's become a much-loved album since. Recorded & compiled by Stuart A. Staples & David Boulter from Tindersticks, Songs For The Young At Heart is a children's music album, featuring classic children's songs, nursery rhymes & stories set to music, with vocals from a number of guest artists including Cerys Matthews, Jarvis Cocker, Martin Wallace, Red aka Olivier Lambin, Robert Forster, Stuart Murdoch, Suzanne Osborne & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy aka Will Oldham.

 

According to Wikipedia, David Boulter said that the inspiration for the album came following the birth of his son.

 

"I began thinking of songs and nursery rhymes from my own childhood to play to him", Boulter stated. "I realised there was a lot of interesting and almost forgotten music, from the school room, the radio, and the television, that maybe was the reason I'd begun to make my own music in the first place."

 

I have one of the initial copies of the CD, in hardback book format, containing stories, poems & artwork by Sexton Ming, founding member of The Medway Poets and the Stuckism art movement, as well as sometime member of Armitage Shanks, Television Personalities and Thee Headcoats.

 

Theme For The Young At Heart: Stuart A. Staples & David Boulter (You Tube) (2006) (2:36)