Bleep

American folkster Merle Haggard, pioneer of the Bakersfield sound that has become one of the ubiquitous country music stylings, was the first artist that Will Oldham ever covered in public. Following the former’s death in April 2016, Oldham once more sets sail under his Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy moniker to pay homage to Haggard with this lengthy covers album. Aided by a backing band and guest appearances from the likes of Mary Feiock and Matt Sweeney, Oldham yokes almost fifty years of material together into a coherent and well-realised whole. His tender, quivering voice adds additional poignancy to a collection of songs already pregnant with feeling.