The Purple Bird is the thirtieth studio album by American singer Will Oldham. It was released under the name Bonnie "Prince" Billy on January 31, 2025.
Background and composition
The Purple Bird was produced by David Ferguson, making it the second album on which Will Oldham has worked with a producer. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
A folk and country album, The Purple Bird consists of 12 tracks and has a runtime of 43 minutes.
Release and reception
The Purple Bird was released on January 31, 2025, through Domino. It is Oldham's thirtieth studio album, and follows Keeping Secrets Will Destroy You (2023).
Upon its release, The Purple Bird received positive reception from music critics.
Track listing
Note
Personnel
- Will Oldham â lead vocals (all tracks), acoustic guitar (tracks 4âÂÂ6, 10, 11)
- David Ferguson â production, mixing
- David Glasser â mastering
- Fred Eltringham â drums (all tracks), percussion (tracks 1, 3âÂÂ8, 10, 12)
- Steve Mackey â bass
- Russ Pahl â electric guitar (all tracks), pedal steel (tracks 4, 10), steel guitar (6, 7), jaw harp (11), baritone guitar (12)
- Pat McLaughlin â mandolin (all tracks), additional singing (track 4), acoustic guitar (12)
- Stuart Duncan â fiddle (tracks 1âÂÂ9, 11, 12), acoustic guitar (10, 12)
- Mike Rojas â keyboards (tracks 1âÂÂ7, 9âÂÂ12), accordion (4, 10, 12), piano (8)
- Brit Taylor â additional singing (tracks 1âÂÂ4, 9, 10)
- Adam Chaffin â additional singing (tracks 1, 3, 4, 10)
- Mark Howard â banjo, additional singing (track 3)
- Leroy Troy â washboard (track 3)
- Tim O'Brien â additional singing (tracks 5, 12), mandolin (12)
- Roy Agee â trombone (tracks 7, 8)
- New Spahn Ranch Singers â additional singing (tracks 8, 12)
- Joey Miskulin â accordion, banjo (track 8)
- Matt Combs â violin, viola, cello, arco bass, bells (track 9)
- John Anderson â additional singing (tracks 9, 12)
- Eamon Dillon â uilleann pipes, whistle (track 9)
- D. Norsen â layout
- Lori Damiano â painting
Charts
References