BILLY, BONNIE PRINCE

Is It The Sea? captures, in remarkable clarity, performances from the incomparable Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s sold out tour of Scotland, Ireland, and Newcastle in Spring 2006. The tour found Billy in the company of Edinburgh’s Harem Scarem on close harmonies, fiddle, flute, banjo and accordion and Glasgow’s wunderkind Alex Neilson on drums and percussion.
Is It The Sea? adds yet another layer to one of the most beguiling catalogues in modern music; a recorded moment with Mr Oldham at the height of his powers, revelling in his songs and surroundings.
Bonnie reaches deep into his catalogue to produce a set long on magic and high on drama. Arranged with a distinctly Caledonian air, the songs are animated by Harem Scarem’s grasp of traditional harmony singing and Neilson’s stately passive / aggressive playing. To the fore is Bonny Billy’s rich and resolute on-stage voice.
Much loved, usually hushed tracks like Master And Everyone, Wolf Among Wolves and Minor Place become rousingly emotional, while trad ballad Molly Bawn gets an epic workover.
Followers of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy will know never to second guess what they’re about to hear on record or on stage. On more than one occasion here, you feel transfixed with the audience as they revel in a palpable euphoria and the sense something pretty spectacular is unfolding. Sit back, imagine you’re there and your world will be a better place.

Estimated despatch 5-10 days after ordering.