Saturday, August 09, 2025

Bonnie "Prince" Billy: I See A Darkness

If "I See a Darkness" sounds familiar, it is probably because you heard Johnny Cash's interpretation of it on his American III--Solitary Man album.

But the original version is by Bonny "Prince" Billy, who has recorded under various names over the years, including Will Oldham--his real name--as well as Palace Songs, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, and as well as Palace.

Obviously, Bonny "Prince" Billy is a bit of an eccentric. 

As for the music, Bonny is hard to classify but think of the Lumineers crossed with early Tom Waits as well as Cash. Only Oldham sings with a high tenor.

He's on tour now, and he'll be in my neck of the woods in a month.

Oldham is also an actor, most prominently, he played a teen preacher in Matewan.

Shall I see him?       

  

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