|
There
are, maybe, 20 interesting people in the world,” says legendary
Folk-Blues performer/songwriter, published author & rising YouTube
star DAVID OLNEY. And, they all seem to exist somewhere within his
music. On his new DUTCHMAN’s CURVE (Deadbeet Records, April 13,
2010) album, David continues to cultivate his own Great American
Songbook featuring his multi-dimensional character studies with
unparalleled perspective.
That perspective finds David Olney writing songs and prose about the
OTHER characters who encounter these ‘interesting people,’ giving us
yet another view of the extraordinary to the mundane and why it all
matters. From a master painter’s subject (Mister Vermeer), a master
painter’s style (Red Tail Hawk) and a famous French singer (Little
Sparrow) to a sweet train robbery (Covington Girl) and the largest
train disaster in early American history (Train Wreck), Olney is
inspired by and finds insight worth sharing about each of these
people and events.
The DUTCHMAN’s CURVE album title acknowledges the site of the worst
train wreck in early American history, which happens to be located
in Nashville, TN near the studio where David recorded the album with
producer Jack Irwin.
“From the wreckage, beneath which many still lived, shrieks and
muffled cries arose, and here and there helpless yet visible victims
prayed for speedy delivery or death. Everywhere there was blood and
suffering and chaos.” ~ From The Nashville Tennessean – July 10,
1918
The title also nods at David’s acquired Dutch ‘heritage’ after
having toured heavily in The Netherlands and other European
countries for the past 15 years, in addition to his non-stop touring
in the States that began in the 70’s.
While the album features more of David’s contemporary, reclaimed
blues-rock sound he has grown in recent years with guitarist Sergio
Webb (Reckless Kelly, Pinto Bennett), it also marks a return to his
more gentle, folk tunes and unforgettable melodies, reminding the
listener of the power of love and what it can do to bridge any gap.
DUTCHMAN’s CURVE also reveals a stretch for Olney, incorporating big
horns and groovy, hippie keys with ukulele, tin whistles and
autoharp. With Jack Irwin returning behind the console, the keys and
the slap box and Sergio Webb on guitar and other stringed
instruments, David again tapped bassist Dave Roe (Johnny Cash,
Allison Moorer) & multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke (NRBQ, Webb Wilder)
to ride the CURVE with him. Cellist/violinist David Henry (Vic
Chesnutt, Yo La Tengo) and vocalist Laurie Webb add to the lush,
scenic presentation.
Continuing to support the arts with his art, the DUTCHMAN’s CURVE
digi-pak features original hand-carved images from Ms. Julie Sola as
printed on an old-school letterpress at Hatch Show Print. Ms. Sola’s
artwork is also featured on David’s 2008 landmark Live at Norm’s
River Road House, Volume 1 album (Deadbeet Records).
In late 2009, David Olney launched his UStream.tv “Hear & Now”
30-minute live, interactive weekly broadcast in addition to posting
videos of his stellar classic poetry interpretations on YouTube.
David also became a published author in 2009 with “A Sign From God”
as featured in the release of ‘Amplified: Fiction From Leading
Alt-Country, Indy Rock, Blues and Folk Musicians’ (Melville House).
The year also marked his Fan-Exclusive CD release of Ol’ Diz: A
Musical Baseball Story about Hall Of Fame St. Louis Cardinals
pitcher Dizzy Dean. David Olney’s intelligent compositions have been
recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Tim
O’Brien, Slaid Cleaves, Dale Ann Bradley, Ann Rabson, Kane/Welch/Kaplin,
Niamh Parsons, Chatham County Line, and others.
|
Artist's Web Site
See a YouTube clip from David Olney
|