Show Report: Bonnie 'Prince' Billy at the Fillmore

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, nee Will Oldham, brought his band to the Fillmore in San Francisco Monday night.

The band was great, really loose and energetic. If you've seen the last few tours, this was a mix of the "Letting Go" band and the "Lie Down In the Light" touring band. Emmett Kelly on lead guitar, Jim White on drums, upright bassist, non-singing mandolin player and a woman named Cheyenne Mize on violin and singing -- she also acted as Bonnie Billy's on-stage foil, dueting with him and changing the POV from male to female in the songs whenever she took over. It was a treat to have a strong, powerful female singer up there doing battle with him on every tune. Two sets of hot pipes, and very different than the other singers he's brought out on tour with him.

The show was an hour and a half at least. Mostly songs from the last two records, plus a couple of Superwolf songs. Almost zero oldies, with the exception of "Horses," "Just to See My Holly Home" and "Careless Love." Maybe one or two more.

Also, there was a new tension underlying everything. A lot of his songs are already pretty dark, but even the happier songs had this brooding thing going on. I think a lot of it had to do with the lead guitar player, Emmett Kelly. The guy is a bit of a wizard... You can never hear exactly what he's playing, he always seems to be soloing, but he's more like a heavy spice than an engine. Tough to describe. He's all over the last few records playing electric guitar and he tours
with Edith Frost.

Sold out, totally packed on the floor, but the crowd was really respectful and quiet nonetheless. I bought some nice 10" white-label vinyl release that looks limited enough to make me rich on eBay in 10 years. It's called "Chijimi" and it's 4 songs with Emmett, Cheyenne and Will only. Also, finally a nice poster!

Read the SFgate review
Here's an interview
Check out BPB's guest DJ slot on NPR's "All Songs Considered"

Photo: Pieter Morlion/Flickr