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| Along with new versions of David Olney's songs by Mary Gauthier, Dave Alvin and Buddy Miller, the tribute album has a rare Townes Van Zandt live recording. |
Here's the scoop from New West Records HQ...
New West Records is proud to release Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney. This album features new versions of David Olney songs recorded by Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Willis Alan Ramsey, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Mary Gauthier, Jim Lauderdale, and Buddy Miller among others. The tracklist is also highlighted by a never-before released live recording by Townes Van Zandt, and produced by Gwil Owen.
Originally from Rhode Island, Olney moved to Nashville in the early ‘70s and fell in with a group of songwriters including Townes Van Zandt, John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, and Rodney Crowell. With his rock band David Olney and the X-Rays he toured tirelessly. He went on to release a string of brilliant albums and his songs were recorded by Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Del McCoury, Linda Ronstadt, and many others. But the bright lights of stardom never shone on David, and he died the way he lived: onstage in a club, far from home, singing a song.
This album gathers some of David’s friends and colleagues to pay tribute to his unique vision. Many of these artists are legends in their own right; all are here because of their deep admiration and respect for the man and his Songs. Get a copy of Can't Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney via Bandcamp right here. If it's out of stock on vinyl, New West Records should have more copies available for ordering directly the week of November 18th. Check their site right here. Listen to a few songs, including Townes Van Zandt's live reading of "Illegal Cargo" following the tracklisting and endorsements.
Can't Steal My Fire: The Songs Of David Olney
“My father’s songs were true, they were strong, and they were enough to hold him. Death is tragic and reckless and still somehow his passing was a rare and beautiful event. A final magic trick, a sort of perfect symmetry played out. Flame snuffed out while a gentle apology was uttered into this cruel and glorious world. He was a dark eyed man, tender, comedic and profound; tapped into life in a unique and expansive way. Driven to roam, the lonely highway kind and yet incredibly empathetic. He was deeply of this world and also outside of it – observing it. His gaze was honest, seeing both darkness and light. He was angry and he was hopeful. He spoke in many voices – gentle and vicious, ashamed and joyful but always simple and beautiful, always genuine. He did not use people, he did not use stories, he lived within them. And he died the way he lived – in a song. This project shines a light on those songs. The friends and comrades on this album knew and loved my father through and because of his songs. They have come together to make this beautiful tribute to him and his words in their own voices. A song is a dream –A dream is sometimes a prayer – You hope they are heard. I hope these are heard.” – Lillian Olney
“David Olney tells marvelous stories, with characters who cling to the hope of enduring love, all the while crossing the deep divide into that long, dark night of the soul.” – Emmylou Harris
“Mr. Olney never had a hit single or won a Grammy Award, but in folk-rock and Americana circles, he is revered for his poetic sensibility and gruff-voiced storytelling, especially by his fellow songwriters, including his musical hero, Townes Van Zandt.” – The New York Times
“Anytime anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are, I say Mozart, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Bob Dylan and Dave Olney. Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard.” – Townes Van Zandt
