Search - Bonnie Prince Billy, Harem Scarem :: Is It the Sea

Will Oldham with a folk band

Yrusac Sim? | Amsterdam, the Netherlands | 10/30/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This new live recording (Scotland, 206) is a compilation of songs that are mostly to be found on his latest albums. The concert took place in the wake of his then forthcoming album The Letting Go. What is interesting is that he is accompanied by local folk band Harem Scarem. Considering that mr. Oldham consistently challenges any folk labels awarded to him by reviewers, this album has an unmistakable folk sound, making use of banjos, fiddles, violins and close harmony. After his excursion into country with the recording of his 2004 Sings Greatest Palace Music in Nashville, Tennessee, this seems another try-out for the collection.



What is interesting is the constant twists that Will gives to his tunes when playing live, particularly to such classics as "New Partner". This is not only due to playing with a different band, but also to the idea of reinventing the song itself. What is particularly nice is that the drummer - Alex Neilson - occasionally sounds a bit like a jazz-drummer, which works quite well with some of the songs.



Then why give this record only three stars in the end? Well, personally I guess I'm not too keen on the folksy backing of these songs. Mostly the close harmony vocals of the ladies of Harem Scarem put me off. Apart from Oldham's brothers, I don't really appreciate his work with other singers, as on Master and Everyone.



All in all, this is an interesting live recording, considering that it is quite different from the average (not typical) Bonnie 'Prince' Billy sound, but not an overall great album, if you ask me."

Best Live Bonny on the market.....a gem in my collection

Willie Boy | 11/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best live Bonnie Prince Billy I have heard !! ... Hands Down ... Well outside of some bootlegs of greatness that will never be sold to the general public........... Even going there it is still one of the best LIVE collections ever experienced.. I love to hear the ladies sing sweetly and a drummer of perfection in a class of lyrical progression. Excellence prevails....... Believe me.. I have ALL BPB releases and more, you can't go wrong with this live "Is It The Sea" rendition of the great Will Oldham........



Highly Recommended to old and new fans as well as beginners"

Another great live album from Bonnie Prince Billy

Michael A. Albert | nj | 03/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cd fits nicely next to "Wilding in the West" amd "Summer in the Southeast." Each has a different flavor: "Summer" is the hard rockin' Bonnie Billy at his best, "Wilding" sees a more experimental side, and here on "Is It The Sea," Bonnie teams up with folk band Harem Scarem on tour in Ireland.

They add mult-layered vocal harmonies and strangely American-sounding folk instrumentation to some classic Bonnie Prince Billy songs, and they do a couple of Harem Scarem originals from what I can tell without reading the liner notes too closely.

The band is good, and they add their own flavor to this set, which is very enjoyable. Pricey as an import, but so was "Wilding." As a big fan of Mr. Oldham, the cost is not really an issue."