English
As an example of the peculiar, that some may prefer to call strange or bizarre way of being and work of Will Oldham, also known by the stage name Bonnie “Prince” Billy, one of the most prestigious, reputable and interesting creators of the American popular music, in the last twenty years, we may cite, among countless examples, the fact that at some point he cited Russ Meyer and Robert Duvall as two major influences on his work. Not surprisingly the future Bonnie “Prince” Billy (only created the heteronymous apparently for purely phonetic reasons, but ended up having hidden meanings and unpredictable ramifications gradually revealed, in the penultimate year of the twentieth century) began his artistic career playing the role of a teenage preacher in John Sayles´s film Matewan (1987) when he was seventeen.
Duvall has declared, admiring especially his presence as a performer, this special ability with certain actors (and actor is every singer, especially on stage) to convert all of what they are into something interesting by virtue only of their ability to find ways to make personal and unique look.
The reasons why he seems to admire Meyer can perhaps be traced to the touching song I See a Darkness which in 1999 was named to his first disc, os the time of Bonnie “Prince” Billy and was memorable version one year later, with Will Oldham on backing vocals, perhaps the best part of the sublime subject, the way in which the two voices intertwine by Johnny Cash on the album, American III: Solitary Man
Starting with a reminder of the many times they got drunk together and share thoughts, the narrator of the song challenges a friend confessing that if he loves him so much it is because he hopes that some day soon (and the urgency of the word “soon” is particularly ambiguous and poignant) he can save a certain kind of darkness which, like a terrible imposition that climbs inside to fill the mind of darkness, which he can not help but see it sometimes. This is what we learn very quickly from a person full of love for people and life, happy things waiting for him, and some peace of mind, and is not willing to give his vital impulse. And yet sometimes menacing vision that conquers the darkness of waiting, almost begs his friend to save him. Soon. The music is appropriately spooky and extraordinary.
In a way perhaps not very dissimilar, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, who will play at the Casino de l´Aliança at Poble Nou on 27th of October (http://www.songkick.com/concerts/10239943-bonnie-prince -billy-at-casino-de-lalianca-of-Poble nou) has stated, he admire Russ Meyer, as well as the holistic and the love and care with which he treats his art, by the power of its films inevitably introduce an element always black in the midst of fantastically vibrant color, light, explosiveness, exuberance and beauty.
If you are spending some days at apartments in Barcelona do not miss it. The actual music scene does not offer many concerts as promising and unpredictable as this one, neither many artists as captivating and unclassifiable as Bonnie.
Translated by: Hans
