We Are Together Again (Vinyl LP)

Bonnie “Prince” Billy is readying his second album in as many years. For his 31st album (wow), Will Oldham holds a mirror to the world, gently reminding us the one we were born into is slipping away, but instead of ducking the chaos, these songs lean straight into the warmth of connection: friendship, community. Recorded at End of an Ear Studios in Louisville, We Are Together Again continues Oldham’s recent habit of keeping things close to home. Another quiet offering for those who’ve been paying attention. - Flying Out

In 2019 we started in to exploring a process of making Louisville, KY records again, in Louisville studios with Louisville musicians. We did I Made a Place this way, then Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You. Things were going well, and then they started going better. The Purple Bird alit on our shoulders and sung its mating call into the ears of listeners all over the world, thanks primarily to the guidance of friend and producer David Ferguson. That bird is out flying around still, leaving abundances of smiling faces in its mighty wake. Having learned thus to fly, Bonny got back to work on the Louisville-first mandate, digging back into songs left open on the table during the Purple process. Bonny went into End of an Ear studio with Jim Marlowe engineering and co-producing; together they assembled a platoon of brilliant singers, blowers and pickers, including especially Bonny’s current tour mates Jacob Duncan (flute and saxophone) and Thomas Deakin (clarinet, whistle, baritone electric guitar, accordion, cornet). Chris Bush applied his modular synth skills to Duncan’s sax for “Davey Dead”. And harpist Erin Hill, who Oldham first met back in the 1980s when he was a wee lad, sings and plays all over “Davey Dead”. Oldham’s cousin Ryder McNair took a break from assistant-scoring Ridley Scott productions to write string quartet arrangements for these songs, and Will’s brother Ned returns after two decades to sing and play bass. This record was made closer to the Ohio River than any Oldham’s been involved with since 1993’s Palace Brothers There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You.

Tracklist

1. Why Is the Lion
2. They Keep Trying to Find You
3. Strange Trouble
4. Life Is Scary Horses
5. (Everybody's Got a) Friend Named Joe
6. Vietnam Sunshine
7. Hey Little
8. Davey Dead
9. The Children Are Sick
10. Bride of the Lion