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Will Oldham discography
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This is a list of recordings by American singer and actor Will Oldham (a.k.a. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Palace Music, etc.).
Main discography
[edit]The nature of Oldham's work, with constant changes in backing musicians and even the names under which he records, can make for a confusing discography. Below are his releases in as simplified a form as possible.
Albums
[edit]A few of these albums are credited to another artist alongside Will Oldham but with Oldham providing vocals throughout each of the tracks they clearly belong on a list of Oldham albums.
Studio albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Released As | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You | Palace Brothers | |
| 1994 | Days in the Wake | Palace Brothers | Original release had eponymous album title: Palace Brothers |
| 1995 | Viva Last Blues | Palace Music | |
| 1996 | Arise Therefore | Palace Music | Re-released through iTunes as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. |
| 1997 | Joya | Will Oldham | Re-released through iTunes as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. |
As Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
[edit]| Year | Album | Released as | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Album Chart |
US Billboard 200 |
US Heatseekers | |||
| 1999 | I See a Darkness | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 151[1] | - | - |
| 2001 | Ease Down the Road | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 88[1] | - | - |
| 2003 | Master and Everyone | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 48[1] | - | - |
| 2004 | Sings Greatest Palace Music | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 63[1] | - | - |
| 2005 | Superwolf | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney | 114[2] | - | - |
| 2006 | The Brave and the Bold | Tortoise & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 101[3] | - | - |
| 2006 | The Letting Go | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 70[1] | 194 | 8 |
| 2007 | Wai Notes | Dawn McCarthy & Bonny Billy | - | - | - |
| 2008 | Lie Down in the Light | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 122[1] | - | 10 |
| 2009 | Beware | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 71[1] | 114 | 2 |
| 2010 | The Wonder Show of the World | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang | 170[1] | - | 16 |
| 2011 | Wolfroy Goes to Town | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | 150[4] | - | - |
| 2012 | The Marble Downs | Trembling Bells & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2013 | What the Brothers Sang | Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2013 | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2014 | Singer's Grave – A Sea of Tongues | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2016 | Fanatic Voyage [tribute to The Mekons] | Chivalrous Amoekons | - | - | - |
| 2016 | Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties | Bitchin Bajas & Bonnie "Prince" Billy | |||
| 2017 | Best Troubador | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2017 | Wolf of the Cosmos | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2018 | Songs of Love and Horror | Will Oldham | - | - | - |
| 2019 | I Made a Place | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2021 | Superwolves[5] | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney | - | - | - |
| 2022 | Blind Date Party[6][7] | Bill Callahan & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2023 | Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You[8] | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
| 2025 | The Purple Bird[9] | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | - | - | - |
Live albums
[edit]- Get the Fuck on Jolly Live – Bonny Billy and Marquis de Tren featuring the Monkey Boys (2001) limited edition tour CD
- Summer in the Southeast – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (November 15, 2005)
- Wilding in the West – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (January 21, 2008)
- Is It The Sea? – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy with Harem Scarem & Alex Neilson (October 20, 2008) UK #172[1]
- Funtown Comedown – Bonny Billy & The Picket Line (December 15, 2009)
- The Bonnie Bells of Oxford – Trembling Bells & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (February 21, 2013)
- Pond Scum – Bonnie "Prince" Billy (January 22, 2016) BBC sessions
Compilation albums
[edit]- Lost Blues and Other Songs – Palace Music (March 31, 1997)
- Guarapero/Lost Blues 2 – Will Oldham (February 21, 2000)
- Little Lost Blues – Bonny Billy (September 19, 2006)
EPs
[edit]This section again contains several releases which are credited to Oldham alongside another artist or which are credited to a group other than Palace/Palace Brothers/Palace Music/Palace Songs. In these cases Oldham's contribution is such that they merit mention in his own discography rather than in the collaborations section.
- Goat Songs – The Sundowners (Sea Note, 1993)
- An Arrow Through the Bitch – Palace Brothers (Domino, 1994)
- Hope – Palace Songs (1994)
- The Mountain – Palace (Drag City, 1995)
- Songs Put Together For (The Broken Giant) – Palace Soundtrack (Drag City, 1996)
- Western Music – Will Oldham (Ovni, 1997)
- Black/Rich Music – Will Oldham (Drag City, 1998) (re-release of Songs Put Together (for the Broken Giant))
- Blue Lotus Feet – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Domino, 1998)
- Dream of a Drunk Black Southern Eagle – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Domino, 1999)
- More Revery (live version) – Bonny Billy (Travels in Constants Vol 7, 2000)
- Ode Music – Will Oldham (Drag City, 2000)
- All Most Heaven – Will Oldham and Rian Murphy (Drag City, 2000)
- Get on Jolly – Bonnie Billy and the Marquis de Tren (Drag City, 2000)
- More Revery (studio version) – Bonny Billy (Temporary Residence, 2001)
- Amalgamated Sons of Rest – Amalgamated Sons of Rest (Galaxia, 2002)
- Slitch Music – The Continental OP (Drag City, 2002)
- Seafarers Music – Will Oldham (Drag City, 2004)
- Pebbles and Ripples – Bonny Billy and Brightblack (Galaxia, 2004) / (Split EP)
- I Gave You – Bonny/Sweeney (Drag City, 2005)
- Strange Form of Life – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Drag City, 2007)
- Ask Forgiveness – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy with Meg Baird & Greg Weeks (Drag City, November 19, 2007)
- Chijimi EP – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Drag City/ Palace Records, 2009) / (Tour-Only 10-inch)
- Among The Gold – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Cheyenne Marie Mize (May 19, 2009)
- The Mindeater – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Phantom Family Halo (10-inch EP) / (September 2011)
- Bonnie & Mariee EP – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Mariee Sioux (Spiritual Pajamas, Feb. 2012)
- The Duchess – Trembling Bells & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Honest Jon's Records, April 2012)
- Hummingbird EP – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Spiritual Pajamas, May 2012)
- Now Here's My Plan – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Domino, July 2012)
- Solemns – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Marquis de Tren (Drag City, 2013)
- Barely Regal - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Drag City, 2014)
- Tip The Glass & Feel The Bottom – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang (Future Oak Record Co., 2015) / (10-inch EP)
- The Happy Song / At The Corner Of The Stairs – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Oscar Parsons (Split EP) (Palace Records PR502)
- Wallins Creek Girls – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Nathan Salsburg (Record Store Day 2017) (Paradise of Bachelors 2017)
- The Best Of Folks/Harbour Men, 7″ – Bonnie Prince Billy/Naked Shortsellers (Split EP)
Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist | Label/Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Ohio River Boat Song" / "Drinking Woman" | Palace Brothers | Drag City DC25 |
| 1993 | "Come In" / "Trudy Dies" | Palace | Drag City DC37 |
| 1994 | "Horses" / "Stable Will" | Palace Songs | Drag City DC47 |
| 1994 | "O How I Enjoy the Light" / "Marriage" | Palace Songs | Drag City DC64 |
| 1994 | "West Palm Beach" / "Gulf Shores" | Palace | Drag City DC61 |
| 1995 | "The Mountain" / "(End of) Travelling" | Palace | Drag City DC71 |
| 1995 | "Gezundheit" / "Let the Wires Ring" | Palace | Hausmusik 12 |
| 1995 | "Black/Rich Tune" / "You Have Cum in Your Hair..." | Palace Music | Drag City (no Cat. No.) |
| 1996 | "Every Mother's Son" / "No More Rides" | Palace | Drag City DC83 |
| 1996 | "For the Mekons et al." (Live) / "Stable Will" (Live) | Palace Live | Palace Records PR13 |
| 1996 | "Little Blue Eyes" / "The Spider's Dude Is Often There" | Palace Music | Drag City DC91 |
| 1997 | "Patience" / "Take However Long You Want" | Will Oldham | Drag City DC118 |
| 1997 | Little Joya: "Prologue" / "Joya" / "Exit Music (for a Dick)" | Will Oldham | Drag City DC107X |
| 1997 | "In My Mind" (split 7-inch single with Rising Shotgun) | Will Oldham | Palace Records PR18 |
| 1997 | "Big Balls" (split 7-inch single titled "Sides 5-6") | Palace Contribution | Skin Graft GR26 |
| 1998 | "I Am Drinking Again" / "Dreaming My Dreams" (CD) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino Rug 67 cd |
| 1998 | "Black Dissimulation" / "No Such As What I Want" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billie | All City Nomad |
| 1998 | "The Sun Shines Down On Me" / "I Confess" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | LowFly LF075 |
| 1998 | "One With the Birds" / "Southside of the World" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billie | Palace Records PR20 |
| 1999 | "Let's Start a Family (Blacks)" / "A Whorehouse Is Any House" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Sub Pop SP 462 |
| 2000 | "Little Boy Blue" / "Little Boy Blue 2" / "Blue Boy" | Bonnie 'Blue' Billy | Western Vinyl WEST009 |
| 2001 | "Just to See My Holly Home" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino (promo) |
| 2002 | "Forest Time" (one sided 10-inch single) | Will Oldham | Artimo 01 |
| 2002 | "Brother Warrior" (split 7-inch single with rainYwood) | Bonny Billy | Palace Records PR27 |
| 2002 | "We All, Us Three, Will Ride" / "Barcelona" | Will Oldham | Isota SODY005 |
| 2003 | "Happy Child" / "Forest Time" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC232 |
| 2004 | "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" / "Blokbuster" (7-inch version) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC278 – UK #69[1] |
| 2004 | "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" / "Blokbuster" / "Pussyfooting" (CD Version) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC278 – UK #69[1] |
| 2004 | "No More Workhorse Blues" / "The Color of My Dreams, If I Had Dreams" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC285 – UK #87[1] |
| 2004 | "No More Workhorse Blues" / "The Color of My Dreams, If I Had Dreams" / "The Kiss" (CD) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC285 – UK #87[1] |
| 2005 | "Puff the Magic Dragon" (split 7-inch single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Lucky Dog 03 |
| 2005 | "I Gave You" / "Four Screams" | Bonny/Sweeney | Drag City DC298 – UK #210[1] |
| 2006 | "His Hands" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | iTunes (US only) |
| 2006 | "Cursed Sleep" / "The Signifying Wolf" / "God's Small Song" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC316 – UK #133[1] |
| 2006 | "Cold & Wet" / "Buried Treasure" (7-inch Version) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino RUG235 – UK #186[1] |
| 2006 | "Cold & Wet" / "The Way" / "Buried Treasure" (12-inch/CD) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC318 |
| 2007 | "Lay & Love" / "Going to Acapulco" (7-inch version) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino RUG246 |
| 2007 | "Lay & Love" / "Señor" / "Going to Acapulco" (12-inch/CD) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC329 |
| 2007 | "John the Baptist" / "Strange Form of Life" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Self-released / Tour Only |
| 2007 | "Strange Form of Life" / "The Seedling" | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino RUG248 |
| 2008 | "Notes For Future Lovers" / "¿Dónde Está Prufrock?" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Gold Robot GRR006 |
| 2009 | "One Day At A Time" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & the Bewarers | |
| 2009 | "Forever and Ever" / "In Spite of Ourselves" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Susanna | Self-released / Tour Only |
| 2009 | "Stay" / "People Living" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC422/ Palace Records PR43 |
| 2010 | "New Year's Eve's The Loneliest Night Of The Year" (split 7-inch with Mike Heron) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Trembling Bells | Honest Johns HJP51 |
| 2011 | "Island Brothers" / "New Wonder" (10-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & the Cairo Gang | Drag City DC468 |
| 2011 | "Must Be Blind" / "Life in Muscle" (10-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney | Drag City DC481 |
| 2011 | "There Is No God" / "God Is Love" (10-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC483 |
| 2012 | "I am a Floozy"/"Remember the Terror Time" (book & cd "Afternoon" [10]) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Black Tent Press |
| 2012 | "The b-sides for Time To Be Clear" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC515 |
| 2012 | "Storms" (split 7-inch with Billy F. Gibbons) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney | Drag City DC546 |
| 2012 | "Christmas Eve Can Kill You" / "Walking the Dog" (7-inch) | Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC547 |
| 2013 | "Sixty-One / Sixty Minute Man" (10-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Dogfish Head (brewery); Barcode: 72410124371 |
| 2013 | "That's My Kind of Night" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2013 | "Better Than I Used To Be" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2013 | "Let Me Love You" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2014 | "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2014 | "Lovin' You Is Fun" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2014 | "Die Young" (iTunes Digital Single) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City DC587 |
| 2014 | "Am I Not A Weaker Soldier?" (7-inch) | Alexis Taylor vs. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino Records RUG629 |
| 2014 | "New Black Rich (Tusks)" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City Records DC609 |
| 2014 | "Quail And Dumplings" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City Records DC608 |
| 2014 | "We Love Our Hole / I'll Be Alright" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang | Empty Cellar Records EMP022 |
| 2014 | "New Trip On The Old Wine / Lay It Down" (7-inch) | Trembling Bells & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Tin Angel Records TARRSD1 |
| 2015 | "Mindlessness" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City Records DC607 |
| 2015 | "The Devil Is People" (12-inch) | "Bonnie Stillwatter" (Will Oldham & Watter) | Temporary Residence Limited |
| 2015 | "Gloria/Drie Vragen" (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Broeder Dieleman | Snowstar Records 15-062 |
| 2017 | "Conquer / You Have Been Seen (7-inch) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Slowboy Records BOY 25 |
| 2017 | "Mama Tried" (free digital download) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Drag City Records |
| 2020 | "This Is Far From Over" (digital download) | Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | Domino RUG1116 |
| 2022 | "Niagra" | Fences & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy | [11] |
| 2022 | "Friends of Devil" | Andrew Rinehart and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy | [12] |
| 2024 | "Our Home" | Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy featuring Tim O'Brien | No Quarter[13] |
Compilation appearances
[edit]This section lists Will Oldham songs which have appeared exclusively on multi-artist compilations.
- "For The Mekons, et al." – Palace Brothers (Hey Drag City – Drag City, 1993)
- "Don't I Look Good Today" – Palace Brothers (Louisville Sluggers Vol.3 – Self-Destruct, 1993)
- "Two More Days" – Palace Brothers (Love Is My Only Crime 2 – Veracity/Intercord, 1994)
- "I Am A Cinematographer (Live)" – Palace Brothers (The Drag City Hour – Sea Note, 1996)
- "Meaulnes (Live)" – Palace Brothers (The Drag City Hour – Sea Note, 1996)
- "I Send My Love To You (Live)" – Palace Brothers (The Drag City Hour – Sea Note, 1996)
- "You Will Miss Me When I Burn (Live)" – Palace Brothers (The Drag City Hour – Sea Note, 1996)
- "Little Blue Eyes" (studio version) – Palace (Sourmash: A Louisville Compilation – X-Static/Boss Snake Music, 1996)
- "Ebb's Folly" – Will Oldham and Jim O'Rourke (Dutch Harbor OST – Atavistic, 1997)
- "Blokbuster (Live)" – Live Palace Music (Felidae – Last Exit, 1997)
- "What's Wrong With A Zoo?" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Quelque Chose d'Organique OST – Virgin France, 1998)
- "Watch With Me" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Methods of Intimate Plumbing – Blue Bunny Records, 1999)
- "Song For The New Breed (acoustic)" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Louisvillesonicimprint-Vol. 1 – Ghetto Defendant, 2000)
- "Today I Started Celebrating Again" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (At Home With The Groovebox – Grand Royal, 2000)
- "The Eagle and the Hawk" (John Denver) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Take Me Home – Badman Recording Co., 2000)
- "Early Morning Melody" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Shellac presents All Tomorrow's Parties 2.0 – BMI, 2002)
- "You Can Never Go Fast Enough" – Will Oldham and Alan Licht (Don't Cry, Driver – Plain Recordings, 2003)
- "There's Something About What Happens When We Talk" – Bonnie Billy and Mary Feiock (Louisville is for Lovers Vol. 3 – Double Malt, 2003)
- "All These Vicious Dogs" – Will Oldham (All The Real Girls OST – Sanctuary Records/Combustion Music, 2003)
- "Lessons From What's Poor (different version)" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Now Who's Crazy? – Drag City, 2003)
- "Antagonism (live)" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Wide-Awake Crescent-Shaped – CWAS smile, 2004)
- "Demon Lover" – Superwolf (Sprout OST – Brushfire Records, 2005)
- "My Home is the Sea (live)" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney (Drag City A–Z – Drag City, 2005)
- "Will Oldham Speaks His Peace" – Will Oldham (Sea Note presents Mr. Jews 7-inch – Sea Note, 2005)
- "Song For Doctors Without Borders" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Not Alone – Durtro Jnana, 2006)
- "Monolith Lamb" – Bonnie Billy & Oscar Parsons (Spacemoth 5th Anniversary Compilation 2 – Spacemoth CDr, 2006)
- "Love Is Pleasing" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Louisville Is For Lovers 6 – Double Malt, 2006)
- "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (The Beach Boys) – Oldham Brothers (Do It Again: a Tribute to Pet Sounds – Houston Party Record, 2006)
- "Puff the Magic Dragon" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Songs for the Young at Heart – V2 Records, 2/2007)
- "Get Your Hands Dirty" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Louisville is for Lovers Vol. 8 – Double Malt, 2008)
- "Torn And Brayed" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Matt Sweeney (Palermo Shooting OST, 2008)
- "The Girl in Me" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Louisville is for Lovers Vol. 9 – Double Malt, 2009)
- "New Wedding" – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (The Present OST – Brushfire, 2009)
- "My Only Friend" (Chris Knox) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Stroke – Songs For Chris Knox – Merge, 2009)
- "Love in the Hot Afternoon" (Gene Watson) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney (The Adult Swim Singles Program – Adult Swim, 2010)
- "Hombre Sencillo (Simple Man)" (Graham Nash) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Be Yourself: A Tribute to Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners – Grassroots, 2010)
- "All The Trees Of The Field Will Clap Their Hands" (Sufjan Stevens) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Seven Swans Reimagined – On Joyful Wings, 2011)
- "Storms" (Fleetwood Mac) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney (Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac – Hear Music, 2012)
- "Gypsy He-Witch" (Jason Molina) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Weary Engine Blues: A Tribute To Jason Molina – Graveface, 2013)
- "Where's the Playground Susie" (Jimmy Webb) – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy ("Still on the Line: A Tribute to Jimmy Webb" – Flannelgraph, 2015)
Collaborations
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Fearful Symmetry – Box of Chocolates (Mad Entropic Carnaval, 1990)
- The Last Place to Go – Boxhead Ensemble (Atavistic, 1998)
- Songs From Robert Louis Stevenson's 'A Child's Garden Of Verses' – The Anomoanon (Palace Records, 2000)
- Greetings from Providence, R.I. – Havanarama (Self-released, 2000)
- Whatever, Mortal – Papa M (Drag City, 2001)
- Tranquil Isolation – Nicolai Dunger (Virgin, 2002)
- Rock The Blockade – Havanarama (Secret Eye, 2003)
- Ala.Cali.Tucky – BrightBlack (Galaxia, 2004)
- No Earthly Man – Alasdair Roberts (Drag City, 2005)
- Safe Inside the Day – Baby Dee (Drag City, 2008)
- Is It The Sea? – Bonnie 'Prince' Billy with Harem Scarem & Alex Neilson (Domino, 2008)
- Silent City – Brian Harnetty & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Atavistic, 2009)
- Hello Sorrow, Hello Joy – Three Queens in Mourning / Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Textile Records, 2020)
EPs
[edit]- Summer Never Ends – The Anomoanon (Palace Records, 1999)
- Fish & Crabs – Havanarama (Self-released, 1999)
- Mutter – Carrie Yury (Self-released, 2005)
Songs
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Simply Beautiful" | Briana Corrigan | When My Arms Wrap You Round | Eastwest |
| 1996 | "I Put My Arms Out To You (Acoustic)" | Briana Corrigan | Love Me Now | Eastwest |
| 1996 | "More Brother (Inbred Version)" | Ice vs. Palace | Macrodub Infection Vol. 2 | Gyroscope |
| 1996 | "More Brother Dub" | Ice vs. Palace | Organized Sound | Jazz Fudge Recordings |
| 1997 | "Untitled" | The Continental OP | Sounds Of The Geographically Challenged Vol.2 | The Temporary Residence |
| 1997 | "Spotlight" | Rising Shotgun | David Allan Coe's In My Mind 7-inch | Palace Records |
| 1997 | "Tom" | The Anomoanon | Mother Goose | Palace Records |
| 2000 | "I See a Darkness" | Johnny Cash | American III: Solitary Man | American |
| 2001 | "Happy Child" | Tweaker | The Attraction to All Things Uncertain | Six Degrees/Ryko |
| 2002 | "How Can I Tell You I Love You" | Papa M | Sonic Youth presents All Tomorrow's Parties 1.1 | Bearded Music |
| 2002 | "One That Got Away" | The Anomoanon | Asleep Many Years in the Wood | Temporary Residence |
| 2004 | "Valentine" | Bobby Bare Jr.'s Young Criminals Starvation League | From the End of Your Leash | Munich Records |
| 2004 | "Ruby" | Tweaker | 2 a.m. Wakeup Call | iMUSIC/Waxploitation |
| 2005 | "Sea Lion" | Sage Francis | Sea Lion 12-inch | Epitaph |
| 2005 | "Don't Create a Ditch" "He Was A Friend Of Mine" "Nothin' to Celebrate" |
Red | Nothin' To Celebrate | Universal Music |
| 2005 | "Gratitude" | Björk | Drawing Restraint 9 | Polydor |
| 2005 | "Punks in the Beerlight" | The Silver Jews | Tanglewood Numbers | Drag City |
| 2006 | "Lowlight" | Wrinkle Neck Mules | Pull The Brake | Shut Eye |
| 2006 | "His Hands" | Candi Staton | His Hands | Honest Jons/Astralwerks |
| 2006 | "Idumæa" | Current 93 | Black Ships Ate the Sky | Durtro Jnana |
| 2006 | "Leave It Behind" | Homesick Hank | Leave It Behind | Playground |
| 2006 | "BTK Blues" "Danny" "Don't Ever Change" |
Pink Nasty | Mold the Gold | Self Released |
| 2007 | "Knoxville Girl" | Charlie Louvin | s/t | Tompkins Square |
| 2007 | "Through My Sails" | Soulsavers | It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land | V2 |
| 2007 | "Idumæa (live)" | Current 93 | Birdsong in the Empire | Durtro Jnana |
| 2007 | "La Chambre" | Soy Un Caballo | Les Heures De Raison | Matamore |
| 2007 | "Evolution of Waters" "Kin" |
Valgeir Sigurdsson | Ekvilibrium | Bedroom Community |
| 2007 | "Do You Want to be Buried With My People" "Kiss" "River of No Return" "Comfort You" |
Scout Niblett | This Fool Can Now Die | Too Pure |
| 2008 | "Unlit Hallway" "Like the River" |
Sun Kil Moon | April | Caldo Verde |
| 2008 | "Bury the Ghost" | Dosh | Wolves and Wishes | anticon. |
| 2008 | "Would You?" | Holly Throsby | A Loud Call | Spunk |
| 2009 | "Sunrise" | Soulsavers | Broken | V2 / Cooperative Music. |
Tributes
[edit]- Johnny Cash recorded a version of "I See a Darkness" on his American Recordings disc American III: Solitary Man (2000). Oldham provided backing vocals.
- Half Man Half Biscuit mention both the Palace Brothers and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy in the song "Emerging From Gorse" on their Trouble Over Bridgwater album (2000).
- "Harm of Will" from Björk's Vespertine album (2001) is about, and named after, Will Oldham.
- Oldham was the subject of a 2004 30-track double-CD tribute album (and a smaller 18-track version) released on Tract Records, titled I Am a Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass., The album features performances by Calexico, Jolie Holland, Sodastream, and Iron & Wine, among others.
- Jeffrey Lewis's album City and Eastern Songs (2005) included the track "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror."
- Steve Adey also covered "I See a Darkness" on his LP All Things Real (2006).
- Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro mentioned Oldham in their song "Saturday Superhouse" from their album Puzzle (2007).
- Mark Kozelek recorded a version of Oldham's "New Partner" on his 2008 disc, The Finally LP.
- In 2009 Mark Lanegan and Soulsavers recorded a cover version of "You Will Miss Me When I Burn." The release is a split single, backed with the Lanegan-penned "Sunrise" featuring vocals by Oldham.
- In 2017, the Spanish superstar Rosalía (singer) made a flamenco cover of "I See a Darkness" in her album Los ángeles (album).
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Tobias Zywietz (May 7, 2011). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- ^ Tobias Zywietz (May 7, 2011). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- ^ Tobias Zywietz (May 7, 2011). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- ^ "Official Album Chart for the week ending 15 October 2011". UKChartsPlus (529). Liverpool: UKChartsPlus: 5–8.
- ^ Carriere, Michael (March 3, 2022). "Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Matt Sweeney are 'Superwolves'". Shepherd Express. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Bill Callahan and Bonnie "Prince" Billy Merge Their Musical Minds". The New Yorker. January 16, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Bill Callahan / Bonnie "Prince" Billy: Blind Date Party". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Bonnie "Prince" Billy – Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You". Discogs.
- ^ https://pitchfork.com/news/bonnie-prince-billy-announces-new-album-the-purple-bird-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/
- ^ "Ashley Macomber & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy / 'AFTERNOON' BOOK | 10 IN. / Black Tent Press". blacktentpress.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012.
- ^ Major, Michael. "Fences & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Collaborate on New 2-Track Single 'Niagra'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ "Watch: Andrew Rinehart and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Share Wild West Inspired "Friend of The Devil" Music Video". Jambands. May 17, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ https://pitchfork.com/news/bonnie-prince-billy-announces-new-album-the-purple-bird-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/
External links
[edit]- The Royal Stable – an extensive Will Oldham discography.
Will Oldham discography
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Palace-era releases (as Palace Brothers, Palace, and Palace Music)
Studio albums
The studio albums released under the Palace Brothers and Palace Music monikers in the 1990s established Will Oldham's early reputation in the alternative country and lo-fi folk scenes, with raw, introspective songwriting, minimalistic acoustic arrangements, and recurring themes of isolation, loss, and rural American life. Primarily self-produced or recorded in simple settings with collaborators from the Louisville music scene, such as David Pajo and Rian Murphy, these albums were issued through Drag City Records and emphasized a DIY ethos with sparse instrumentation like guitar, banjo, and fiddle.[4][5]| Year | Album | Label | Tracks | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You (June 7) | Drag City | 12 | Debut full-length; produced by Rian Murphy in Louisville; features lo-fi acoustic folk with banjo and guitar; highlights include "Ohio River Boat Song" and title track, exploring despair and dependency.[8][9][10] |
| 1994 | Days in the Wake (August 29) | Drag City | 9 | Originally released untitled, retitled shortly after; self-produced with intimate acoustic recordings; tracks like "You Will Miss Me When I Burn" emphasize narrative-driven ballads on love and transience.[11][12][13] |
| 1995 | Viva Last Blues (August 21) | Drag City | 10 | Produced and engineered by Steve Albini; introduces fuller sound with electric guitar and drums; blends alt-country and noise rock; key tracks include "Viva Ultra" and "The Brute Choir," addressing redemption and struggle.[14][15][16] |
| 1996 | Arise Therefore (April 29) | Drag City | 11 | Features David Grubbs on guitar and Ned Oldham on bass; experimental folk with abstract, poetic lyrics; marks the conclusion of the Palace phase; highlights include title track and "Open Your Heart."[17][18] |
EPs and singles
During the Palace era, Will Oldham released a series of EPs and singles under the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music monikers, primarily through Drag City and its imprint Palace Records. These shorter formats often featured raw, acoustic minimalism with lo-fi production, serving as outlets for non-album tracks, demos, and covers that experimented with folk, country, and indie rock influences. Many were issued as limited 7-inch vinyl singles, emphasizing Oldham's early signature style of intimate, narrative-driven songwriting.[20][5]EPs
The EPs from this period captured transitional moments in Oldham's sound, bridging raw demos to more polished work.- An Arrow Through the Bitch (May 1994, Domino Recording Co., RUG 21T, 12-inch vinyl EP; UK release compiling US singles). This 4-track EP collects material from two prior 7-inch singles, including raw demos recorded in a sparse, unpolished style that highlighted Oldham's acoustic guitar and vocal delivery. Tracks: "Come In" (2:59), "Horses" (written by Jon Langford and Sally Timms, 4:16), "Trudy Dies" (5:08), "Stable Will" (5:46). It was limited in pressing and tied thematically to themes of loss and introspection found in Palace Brothers albums, with no overdubs to preserve the experimental edge.[21][22]
- Hope (September 1994, Drag City, DC57, CD EP; also vinyl). A 6-track EP featuring original songs, a cover, and instrumentals, recorded in Chicago and London, showcasing Oldham's growing interest in collaborative and seasonal motifs. Tracks: "Agnes, Queen of Sorrow" (4:18), untitled (2:29), "Winter Lady" (Leonard Cohen cover, 2:51), "Christmastime in the Mountains" (written by Black and Baker, 1:38), "All Gone, All Gone" (4:52), "Werner's Last Blues to Blokbuster" (4:41). Limited to 1,000 copies initially, it previewed the atmospheric elements in later Palace Music releases.[23][24]
- Little Joya (October 1997, Drag City, DC105, CD EP; bundled as a limited bonus with the Joya album). This 3-track transitional release under Will Oldham marked the shift from Palace Music to solo work, with intimate, piano-led arrangements bridging the era's folk roots to more personal expressions. Tracks: "Prologue" (1:35), "Joya" (4:57), "Exit Music (for a Dick)" (1:12). Issued in small quantities, it featured experimental brevity and thematic closure to the Palace phase.[25][26]
Singles
Palace-era singles were predominantly 7-inch vinyl releases, often with B-sides offering rarities or live-flavored takes, and limited editions that became collector's items. They emphasized non-album material like covers and demos, distinct from full-length LPs.| Year | Title / A-Side | B-Side | Label / Catalog | Format / Unique Aspects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Ohio River Boat Song | Drinking Woman | Drag City / DC25 | 7-inch vinyl, 45 RPM; debut single with wide center hole, no barcode; raw acoustic recording establishing Oldham's riverine, melancholic themes; printed in Canada, limited variants with different inserts listing band members.[27][28] |
| 1993 | Come In | Trudy Dies | Drag City / DC37 | 7-inch vinyl, 33⅓ RPM; features backing from David Pajo, Liam Hayes, and Nick Herzog; B-side as a somber narrative demo; insert with drawings, emphasizing minimalism.[29][30] |
| 1994 | Horses | Stable Will | Drag City / DC47 | 7-inch vinyl, 33⅓ RPM; backing by Slint members (Spiderland-era); lyrics insert for B-side; "Horses" a Mekons cover, highlighting collaborative experimental folk.[31][32] |
| 1995 | O How I Enjoy The Light | Marriage | Drag City / DC64 (Palace Records PR01) | 7-inch vinyl, 33⅓ RPM; double-sided lyrics insert and Drag City catalog; A-side an original with light, ironic tone; limited pressing on Palace Records imprint.[33] |
| 1995 | West Palm Beach | Gulf Shores | Palace Records / PR2 | 7-inch vinyl, 45 RPM; includes xeroxed lyrics and 1995 Drag City catalog; non-album tracks with coastal themes, pressed in small numbers.[34] |
| 1997 | Patience | Take However Long You Want | Drag City / DC118 (Palace Records PR16) | 7-inch vinyl, 45 RPM; final Palace-era single under Will Oldham name; B-side a slow-building rarity; marks acoustic intimacy previewing solo output.[35] |
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy releases
Studio albums
The studio albums released under the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy pseudonym represent Will Oldham's evolution from raw, introspective alt-country rooted in his Palace-era influences to broader, collaborative explorations in folk and experimental forms, spanning 1999 to 2025.[6] These works often feature Oldham's signature lyrical depth, addressing themes of isolation, love, and mortality, with production shifting from polished ensemble recordings in the early 2000s to more intimate, lo-fi home setups in later years.[36] Key collaborators, including drummers like Drew Wurster and vocalists such as Dawn McCarthy, appear across multiple releases, enhancing the albums' textural range.[37] The discography reflects Oldham's maturation, incorporating eclectic instrumentation and occasional genre bends while maintaining a core of melancholic introspection.[38]| Year | Album | Label | Tracks | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | I See a Darkness (February 23) | Drag City | 11 | Produced by Oldham at his home studio; features sparse arrangements with Bob Weston on bass and engineering; highlights include the title track, later covered by Johnny Cash, emphasizing themes of despair and personal darkness.[39][40] |
| 2001 | Ease Down the Road (March 13) | Palace Records | 12 | Self-produced with a focus on acoustic guitar and pedal steel; collaborators include Matt Sweeney on guitar; explores gentle, road-weary narratives of transience and relationships.[41][42] |
| 2003 | Master and Everyone (March 18) | Drag City | 9 | Produced by Oldham; features Drew Wurster on drums for a fuller, rootsy sound; tracks like "The Way" highlight minimalist folk with themes of wisdom and loss.[43] |
| 2006 | The Letting Go (September 19) | Drag City | 10 | Produced by Mark Nevers; key collaborator Dawn McCarthy provides haunting harmonies throughout; delves into love and abandonment with richer orchestration, including strings.[44] |
| 2008 | Lie Down in the Light (April 15) | Drag City | 11 | Produced by Mark Nevers; ensemble cast includes Emmett Kelly on guitar and Cheyenne Mize on vocals; shifts toward warmer, gospel-inflected tones exploring redemption and repose.[45] |
| 2009 | Beware (June 9) | Drag City | 10 | Produced by Mark Nevers at The Funeral Parlour; features a 20-piece ensemble for lush, orchestral folk; themes center on vulnerability and emotional exposure.[46][47] |
| 2011 | Wolfroy Goes to Town (March 29) | Drag City | 8 | Lo-fi home recording with minimal instrumentation; collaborators include Ben Boye on piano; intimate tracks address aging, faith, and rural solitude. |
| 2014 | Singer's Grave a Sea of Tongues (September 9) | Drag City | 12 | Produced by Oldham in home settings; features pedal steel and chamber elements; reworks earlier material with themes of grief and linguistic play.[48] |
| 2017 | Best Troubadour (September 15) | No Quarter | 12 | Produced by Oldham; sparse acoustic focus with occasional horns; highlights troubadour-style ballads on love's endurance and personal mythology. |
| 2019 | I Made a Place (November 15) | Drag City | 12 | Home-recorded with a core band including David Ferguson on bass; themes of place and belonging amid life's impermanence, with fuller band dynamics.[49] |
| 2023 | Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You (August 11) | Drag City | 12 | Produced by Oldham during the pandemic; features a rotating cast including Joan Shelley on vocals; explores isolation and relational secrets with concise, folk-rock arrangements influenced by lockdown introspection.[50][51][36] |
| 2025 | The Purple Bird (January 31) | Domino / No Quarter | 12 | Produced by David "Ferg" Ferguson in Nashville; collaborators include Tim O'Brien on harmonies for two tracks and John Anderson on the eco-themed single "Downstream"; emphasizes nature, introspection, and environmental reflection with polished country-folk polish.[52][53][54] |
Live albums
The live albums released under the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker capture Will Oldham's evolving stage presence, often reinterpreting earlier material with a raw, intimate energy that contrasts the polished studio versions. These recordings span collaborations, full-band tours, and solo sessions, highlighting improvisational elements and audience engagement across diverse settings from clubs to radio studios.[6] Summer in the Southeast (2005), Oldham's first full-length live album as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, compiles 14 tracks recorded during a 2004 U.S. tour across small venues in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina, serving as a companion to the studio album Superwolf. Issued on 2xLP and CD by Sea Note (with Drag City handling distribution), it features a backing band including Matt Sweeney on guitar, with variations like extended outros on "Death to Everyone" (5:27) and audience interactions adding a communal warmth absent in studio takes; notable reinterpretations include a brooding "I See a Darkness" (4:30) and the upbeat "Blokbuster" (4:33). The setlist draws heavily from Master and Everyone and earlier works, emphasizing Oldham's charismatic, narrative delivery in southern club environments.[55][56][57] Pond Scum (2016) presents a solo acoustic collection of 12 tracks, primarily archival recordings from John Peel sessions for BBC Radio 1 between 1993 and 2002, offering stripped-down renditions of Palace-era songs with subtle variations like fingerpicked intros and hushed vocals that heighten emotional intimacy—for instance, "(I Was Drunk at the) Pulpit" extends to 6:02 with raw confessionals, differing from its original brevity. Released on LP, CD, cassette, and digital by Drag City, the album includes pieces like "Arise, Therefore" (4:03) and "No More Workhorse Blues" (3:52), capturing Oldham's early solo prowess without audience noise, though some tracks evoke a live-in-studio feel; it serves as a reflective document of his formative radio performances rather than a contemporary tour capture.[58][59][60]EPs
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy has released several solo extended plays that explore intimate folk and experimental themes, often in limited formats.| Year | EP | Label | Tracks | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Blue Lotus Feet | Drag City | 4 | Covers of Thai pop songs; features traditional instrumentation and Oldham's vocals in a lounge-folk style. |
| 2007 | Ask Forgiveness | Drag City | 4 | Produced by Mark Nevers; includes covers and originals with ensemble arrangements emphasizing apology and reflection.[61] |
| 2007 | Strange Form of Life | Drag City | 4 | Focuses on animal-themed songs; sparse acoustic recordings highlighting Oldham's narrative songwriting. |
| 2012 | Hummingbird | Spiritual Pajamas | 2 | Limited cassette EP; intimate home recordings of two originals exploring nature and solitude. |
Singles
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's singles, released primarily through Drag City and other independent labels, often serve as previews to album themes or standalone expressions of his folk and Americana style, spanning limited-edition vinyl, CD singles, and digital formats from 1999 onward. These releases typically feature one or two tracks, including original compositions and covers, and have been issued to coincide with album promotions or special occasions. Unlike extended EPs, they emphasize brevity and intimacy, with many available as 7-inch or 12-inch records for collectors.[6] The following table catalogs key standalone singles under the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy name, presented chronologically with release details.| Year | Title | Label | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | I Confess | Lowfly | 7-inch vinyl | Cover of Kevin Coyne's song; limited edition of 1,200 copies, A-side paired with "The Sun Shines Down On Me" on some pressings. Promotional release marking early Bonnie 'Prince' Billy era.[62] |
| 2003 | Happy Child / Forest Time | Drag City | CD5, digital | Double A-side single; accompanying tracks from the Master and Everyone sessions, highlighting collaborative folk arrangements.[6] |
| 2006 | Cursed Sleep | Drag City | 12-inch vinyl, CD5 | A-side "Cursed Sleep" with B-sides "The Signifying Wolf" and "God's Small Song"; tied to the The Letting Go album promotion.[63] |
| 2020 | This Is Far From Over | Drag City | 7-inch vinyl, digital | A-side from I Made a Place album; B-side cover of "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters. Released as lead promo single shortly before the album's launch.[64] |
| 2024 | Our Home (feat. Tim O'Brien) | No Quarter | Digital | Mandolin-driven track with O'Brien; lead single for The Purple Bird album, emphasizing community and home themes in acoustic arrangement. Released October 22, 2024.[65] |
Compilation appearances
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy has made notable contributions to multi-artist compilation albums since 1999, often providing exclusive tracks, alternate versions, or covers that highlight rarities unavailable on his primary solo releases. These appearances frequently appear on label samplers, magazine giveaways, tributes, and benefit collections, reflecting his engagement with indie scenes through imprints like Domino, Drag City, and Spunk Records, as well as publications such as Uncut and NME. Many of these tracks, such as orchestral arrangements or live recordings, offer unique glimpses into his evolving sound without overlapping with standard album fare.[66] The following table lists selected chronological examples of these contributions, focusing on rarities like covers and exclusives:| Year | Song Title | Compilation Album | Label/Publisher | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Nomadic Revery (All Around) | It's An Illusion For The Kids | Spunk Records | Label sampler; alternate version of a track from I See a Darkness, exclusive to this Australian indie collection.[66] |
| 1999 | Death to Everyone | NME Presents Might Club | NME | Magazine sampler; rarity from early BPB era, not reissued on solo albums.[66] |
| 2001 | Sheep | New Voices Vol. 42 | German Rolling Stone | Magazine giveaway sampler; exclusive live or alternate take, emphasizing acoustic intimacy.[66] |
| 2003 | Three Questions | Rebellious Jukebox | Uncut Magazine | Tribute-style sampler; original track penned for the compilation, a conceptual rarity exploring introspection.[66] |
| 2007 | Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) | Guilt By Association | Engine Room Records | Pop covers tribute; exclusive Mariah Carey cover, showcasing BPB's interpretive style on '80s/'90s hits.[66] |
| 2011 | Going To Acapulco | Rare Trax Nr. 72, It Ain’t Me, Babe | German Rolling Stone | Bob Dylan tribute; rarity cover from John Wesley Harding, highlighting BPB's folk roots.[66] |
| 2020 | Woman (Cat Power cover) | Kin Campaigns | Self-released (Bandcamp) | Benefit compilation for progressive candidates; exclusive cover featuring guests, supporting West Virginia's Paula Jean Swearengin, not on solo releases.[67] |
| 2020 | I Have Made a Place | Drag City (Uncut CD) | Uncut Magazine / Drag City | Label 30th anniversary sampler; title track from I Made a Place, exclusive version for the milestone collection.[68] |
| 2021 | Grand Dark Feeling of Emptiness (live) | Best of Studio 5 Live: 20 Years of Easey Street | PBS FM | Radio station anniversary compilation; live 2001 recording with friends, a rare archival performance.[69] |
Other solo releases (as Will Oldham and variants)
Albums
Will Oldham has released a limited number of albums under his own name, distinct from his Palace and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy aliases. These works often feature sparse, introspective folk arrangements and archival material.- Joya (1997, Drag City). Oldham's first album billed under his own name, featuring 12 tracks of lo-fi folk experimentation recorded in Mexico. It includes songs like "O Let It Be" and "New Gypsy," noted for its raw production and transitional style between Palace and later solo efforts.[70][71]
- Guarapero / Lost Blues 2 (2000, Drag City). A compilation of previously unreleased and rare tracks from the late 1990s, including outtakes and alternate versions spanning 18 songs. It serves as an archival release highlighting early solo material.[72][25]
EPs
Oldham's EPs under his own name typically consist of short collections of original songs or covers, emphasizing intimate acoustic performances.- Western Music (1997, Royal Stable Music). A four-track CD EP with folk ballads like "Western Music" and "The Roll Call," produced by Paul Oldham.[73]
- Black/Rich Music (1998, Drag City). EP featuring three tracks, including a cover of "Black" by Johnny Cash and original "Rich," showcasing minimalist instrumentation.[74][75]
- All Most Heaven (2000, Drag City). Three-track EP with poetic folk songs such as "All Most Heaven" and "We All, Us Three, Will Ride."[76]
- Ode Music (2000, Drag City). EP compiling four tracks, including "Ode to Blue" and "Big Friday," blending traditional and original material.[77]
- Seafarers Music (2004, Drag City). Five-track 12" EP focused on nautical-themed folk tunes, recorded with sparse arrangements.[78]
- Songs of Love and Horror (2018, Drag City). A three-track mini-album or EP with intimate songs like "Then the Perfume" and "Screaming Siren," released on 3" CD and vinyl.[79][75]
Collaborations and side projects
Albums
Will Oldham has engaged in several full-length collaborative albums, often under his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker, where he shares co-lead billing or serves as a prominent featured artist. These projects span experimental ensembles to intimate duos, showcasing his versatility in vocals, lyrics, and occasional instrumentation alongside diverse partners. From the late 1990s to the early 2020s, these releases highlight his role in blending folk, post-rock, and psychedelic elements, influencing the broader indie and alternative music scenes.[6] The following table enumerates key collaborative albums from 1998 to 2021, focusing on those where Oldham contributed significantly as co-lead or featured vocalist and songwriter.| Year | Title | Co-Artist(s) | Label | Oldham's Role | Notes on Contributions and Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Last Place to Go | Boxhead Ensemble | Atavistic Records | Vocals, harmonica | A double live album recorded during a European film tour; Oldham provides haunting vocals on tracks like "Send in the Clowns," adding emotional depth to the ensemble's post-rock soundscapes. Praised for its atmospheric intensity in experimental music circles.[81][82] |
| 2005 | Superwolf | Matt Sweeney | Drag City | Vocals, lyrics | Co-written and performed as a duo; Oldham delivers raw, introspective lyrics over Sweeney's intricate guitar work across 14 tracks, including "My Home Is the Sea" and "Beast for Thee." Widely acclaimed as a career highlight, ranking #21 on Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2005 and developing a cult following for its stripped-down intimacy.[83][84] |
| 2007 | Ask Forgiveness | Meg Baird, Greg Weeks (of Espers) | Drag City | Vocals, arrangements | A 32-minute mini-LP of covers, with Oldham leading vocals on eclectic selections like Björk's "I've Seen It All" and R. Kelly's "The World's Greatest," supported by Baird and Weeks' folk instrumentation. Received positive reviews for its distinctive reinterpretations, earning a 7.8 from Pitchfork for showcasing Oldham's interpretive prowess.[85][84] |
| 2010 | The Wonder Show of the World | The Cairo Gang (Emmett Kelly) | Drag City | Vocals, guitar | Duo effort with 12 original songs; Oldham handles lead vocals and co-writes, emphasizing rustic folk-blues on tracks like "The World Is Unknown." Noted for its warm, road-worn aesthetic, with AllMusic rating it 3.5/5 for capturing a sense of wandering camaraderie. |
| 2013 | What the Brothers Sang | Dawn McCarthy & the Gods of Fud | Drag City | Vocals, harmonies | Collaborative covers album reinterpreting folk standards; Oldham provides lead and harmony vocals on 12 tracks, including "We Are Glad" and "Kentucky." Lauded in The Guardian for its heartfelt revival of traditional material, blending McCarthy's Appalachian style with Oldham's emotive delivery. |
| 2012 | The Marble Downs | Trembling Bells | Honest Jon's Records | Vocals | Co-lead on psychedelic folk album; Oldham shares vocals with Lavinia Blackwall on eight tracks like "I Made a Date (with an Open Vein)," contributing to lush, archaic arrangements. Mojo magazine highlighted it as a "bewitching" psych-folk gem.[86] |
| 2016 | Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties | Bitchin Bajas | Drag City | Vocals, songwriting | Experimental collaboration blending folk with ambient drone; Oldham sings and co-composes eight extended pieces, such as "Ditty for Dick," over the group's improvisational backdrops. Pitchfork scored it 8.0, commending its innovative fusion of Oldham's narrative style with kosmische influences. |
| 2021 | Superwolves | Matt Sweeney | Drag City | Vocals, lyrics | Sequel to 2005's Superwolf; co-written duo album with 15 tracks, including "Superwolves" and "Hall of Fire," featuring Oldham's introspective lyrics over Sweeney's guitar. Acclaimed for its emotional depth, with Pitchfork rating it 8.3 for evolving their signature intimacy.[87] |