13. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy & the Cairo GangThe Wonder Show of the World
This album is very special in several ways. Especially because of Cairo Gang’s involvement. Emmet Kelly has been Will [Oldham’s] true companion for many years as well as a guitar player and singer. So this album, with Emmet’s music and Will’s singing, is such a perfect combination that makes a new environment for Will’s lyrics. They just move somewhere else on this album.
I was also touring a little bit with them when they released it and I did backing vocals with another Norwegian singer on the tour. And also on my own.
We did a few shows together in Portugal, just the three of us playing this material and my songs. It was an extraordinary experience. I’ve really been inside these songs. It’s an odd combination but I like that connection very much.. Will is obviously coming from a strong American tradition and I’m clearly bringing this Nordic melancholy to the table [when I perform with him]. There’s a connection, definitely, but it’s little bit weird.
