Review: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy show re-tools Mil-town’s top five

Photo by CJ Foeckler/Pabst Theater

Words by Jon Anne Willow

Part surprise, part transcendent musical experience, Will Oldham and his band enthralled a full house Wednesday night at Turner Hall.

Okay, that’s a few thoughts to sort out. First the surprise. It was widespread, the vibe definitely one of expectations exceeded. Often, fans of Oldham/Billy experience him on stage alone, shoe-gazing and quiet, taking requests slyly/shyly as if he forgot to make a set list and clumsily fumbling through songs only half-remembered. It’s quirky, sure, but not an experience any but the most hardcore devotees need to experience more than once or twice.