Search - David Olney :: Dutchman's Curve

There are, maybe, 20 interesting people in the world, says legendary Folk-Blues performer / songwriter, published author & rising YouTube star DAVID OLNEY. And, they all seem to exist somewhere within his music. On his new DUTCHMAN s CURVE (Deadbeet Records, April 13, 2010) album, David continues to cultivate his own Great American Songbook featuring his multi-dimensional character studies with unparalleled perspective.

That perspective finds David Olney writing songs and prose about the OTHER characters who encounter these "interesting people," giving us yet another view of the extraordinary to the mundane and why it all matters. From a master painter's subject (Mister Vermeer), a master painter's style (Red Tail Hawk) and a famous French singer (Little Sparrow) to a sweet train robbery (Covington Girl) and the largest train disaster in early American history (Train Wreck), Olney is inspired by and finds insight worth sharing about each of these people and events.

The DUTCHMAN s CURVE album title acknowledges the site of the worst train wreck in early American history, which happens to be located in Nashville, TN near the studio where David recorded the album with producer Jack Irwin.

"From the wreckage, beneath which many still lived, shrieks and muffled cries arose, and here and there helpless yet visible victims prayed for speedy delivery or death. Everywhere there was blood and suffering and chaos."
~ From The Nashville Tennessean - July 10, 1918

The title also nods at David's acquired Dutch heritage after having toured heavily in The Netherlands and other European countries for the past 15 years, in addition to his non-stop touring in the States that began in the 70 s. While the album features more of David's contemporary, reclaimed blues-rock sound he has grown in recent years with guitarist Sergio Webb (Reckless Kelly, Pinto Bennett), it also marks a return to his more gentle, folk tunes and unforgettable melodies, reminding the listener of the power of love and what it can do to bridge any gap. DUTCHMAN s CURVE also reveals a stretch for Olney, incorporating big horns and groovy, hippie keys with ukulele, tin whistles and autoharp. With Jack Irwin returning behind the console, the keys and the slap box and Sergio Webb on guitar and other stringed instruments, David again tapped bassist Dave Roe (Johnny Cash, Allison Moorer) & multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke (NRBQ, Webb Wilder) to ride the CURVE with him. Cellist/violinist David Henry (Vic Chesnutt, Yo La Tengo) and vocalist Laurie Webb add to the lush, scenic presentation.

Continuing to support the arts with his art, the DUTCHMAN s CURVE digi-pak features original hand-carved images from Ms. Julie Sola as printed on an old-school letterpress at Hatch Show Print. Ms. Sola s artwork is also featured on David's 2008 landmark Live at Norm's River Road House, Volume 1 album (Deadbeet Records).

In late 2009, David Olney launched his UStream.tv Hear & Now 30-minute live, interactive weekly broadcast in addition to posting videos of his stellar classic poetry interpretations on YouTube. David also became a published author in 2009 with "A Sign From God" as featured in the release of Amplified: Fiction From Leading Alt-Country, Indy Rock, Blues and Folk Musicians (Melville House). The year also marked his Fan-Exclusive CD release of Ol' Diz: A Musical Baseball Story about Hall Of Fame St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dizzy Dean. David Olney's intelligent compositions have been recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim O'Brien, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Ann Rabson, Kane/Welch/Kaplin, Niamh Parsons and other