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Bonnie 'prince' Billy - Byron Bay, Australia 15 September 2004 (2004)

Track listing:
  1. 2/ 15 > New Partner 12:20
  2. West Palm Beach 4:50
  3. I Am A Cinematographer 4:17
  4. Werner's Last Blues For Blockbuster 5:32
  5. After I Made Love To You 3:55
  6. Master And Everyone 4:19
  7. A King At Night 5:43
  8. One With The Birds 4:55
  9. Beast For Thee 4:36
  10. Barcelona 4:53
  11. Wolf Among Wolves 4:08
  12. Come In 4:05
  13. Work Hard / Play Hard 3:28
  14. Madeleine-Mary 6:08
  15. In My Mind 4:45
  16. Southside Of The World 3:03
  17. Three Questions 5:15
  18. The Eagle And The Hawk 1:28
  19. My Home Is The Sea 6:00
  20. O Let It Be 6:13
  21. Horses 5:03
  22. Ease Down The Road 4:28
  23. I See A Darkness 4:48

Notes

Byron Community and Cultural Centre


Will Oldham (Bonnie) - vocals / guitar
Matt Sweney - guitar
Cynthia Hopkins - piano accordian / vocals
Paul Oldham - bass
Spencer Sweney - drums


A review published in Rave magazine

BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY
Byron Bay Community and Cultural Centre - Wednesday September 15 & The Zoo - Friday September 17

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s first two shows of this Australian tour were a tale of contrasts. One was set in a tiny theatre in front of an attentive crowd who witnessed an unbelievably inspired performance while the other show happened in Brisbane. There’s no denying that those at the Zoo saw a good show and were very appreciative but those in Byron were part of something truly, mesmerisingly special.
This first show opened with a slow and sprawling 11 minute combined version of 2/15 and New Partner that signaled the band’s brilliant and brooding intent. In Brisbane, the same song was delivered as a throwaway, just half as long and lacking the intensity. Similarly, Byron’s One With The Birds was stunning with the Bonnie Prince comically incorporating crowd nominated local bird species into the lyrics while it was just another love song in Brisbane.

The band noticeably excelled around their eccentric master on the first night. Guitarist Matt Sweeney was a one-man Crazy Horse, accordion player Cynthia Hopkins an Appalachian folk princess, and the rhythm section of Paul Oldham and Spencer Sweeney perfectly demonstrated the art of when not to play. At The Zoo they were all just there playing competently in the mix.

Both shows featured wonderful and diverse set lists encompassing the Palace years, Joya’s O Let It Be, a rocking stop-start version of Madelaine-Mary, other treats from the last three Bonnie albums as well as two new songs – Beast For Thee and My Home Is The Sea. Each night had numerous unrepeated highlights with Brisbane scoring versions of Pushkin, Riding, No Gold Digger, 64, and a great segue from Idle Hands to A Minor Place. Byron was treated to a hilarious scream-filled Barcelona, sublime renditions of West Palm Beach, Blokbuster, Horses, David Allen Coe’s In My Mind, an a cappella Eagle and the Hawk and a beautiful closing I See A Darkness. But throughout, it was the performance style of all of these wonderful songs that distinguished each show - one night being good and the other being transcendent. In Byron Will Oldham danced ridiculous jigs and continually grinned like an idiot setting off lines in each song with his facial contortions. Playing up the venue’s intimacy, he sang off-mic, straight to the ears of those gathered around him with the whole band feeding off this energy. In Brisbane he seemed tired and offered stock deliveries devoid of any theatrics. Whereas the Byron audience applauded and laughed at humourous lyrics mid-song, the same lines caused no reaction in Brisbane.

In song Will Oldham says that he likes to work hard and play hard. The difference between these shows was that in Brisbane there was a group of musicians at work, while in Byron there was a musical genius at play.