Various Artists – Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs Of David Olney
Various Artists – Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs Of David Olney
Format: CD – Vinyl LP
Label: New West Records – V2 BeNeLux
Release: 2024
Release date: October 18, 2024
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.
“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
Tracks:
01. Deeper Well – Lucinda Williams
02. Sister Angelina – Steve Earle
03. Voices on the Water – The McCrary Sisters
04. Jerusalem Tomorrow – Buddy Miller
05. If My Eyes Were Blind – The Steeldrivers
06. Women Across the River – Willis Alan Ramsey
07. 1917 – Mary Gauthier
08. Always the Stranger – R.B. Morris
09. If It Wasn’t for the Wind – Jimmie Dale Gilmore
10. Running From Love – Anana Kaye
11. That’s My Story – Greg Brown
12. Sonnet #40 – David Olney
13. Titanic – Afton Wolfe
14. Steal My Thunder – Dave Alvin with the Rick Holmstrom Trio
15. Delta Blue – Jim Lauderdale
16. She’s Alone Tonight – Janis Ian
17. Illegal Cargo – Townes Van Zandt