Description
Label Review.
2017 album of Merle Haggard tunes.
Our Overview.
With ‘Best Troubador’, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, also known as Will Oldham, is a longtime fan of the "Okie From Muskogee" Hall of Famer, having covered a Haggard song at his first public performance 25 years ago, playing a Merle Haggard song. Bonny has often cited Merle’s work in performance, on records and in conversation with anyone who was around, even talking to Merle himself for Filter magazine in 2009. And now this great indie folk-rock artist, with his new album pays homage to a longtime and forever hero, the late Merle Haggard: whose influence knew no bounds, attracting fans from all genres of music.
‘Best Troubador’ flips through his song book, landing on pages unmoored from their time and located anew. Moving from 1978 to 1969 to 2003 to 1981 allows the album to circle Haggard’s music in a simulation of thought and memory, slipping around from spot to spot as if they were discrete impressions, unknown but knowable yet. Oldham recorded the songs in his home with the Bonafide United Musicians, and is faithful to the playful twang of the original song, with his band adding the occasional instrumental flourish.Double LP includes bumper sticker and digital download code.