music
All Old Dollar Bill original music is available in Digital format from the following online retailers:
Apple Music, Spotify, Napster, Zune, Amazon (.com & .co.uk),
eMusic, 7digital, Bloom fm, Deezer,
Omnifone & Xbox Music
Lucky From Kentucky
My Love She Did Wear a Disguise
One More Shot To Kill The Pain
The Man With The Hurtin' Smile
Nobody Waiting At Home
This Place
Hey Y'all
This Feeling
The Last Good Time
Home Lovin' Man
Lucky From Kentucky
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
All material Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Lucky From Kentucky
September 17th, 2012 by Blabber 'n' Smoke
It was Neil Young who sang "Homegrown is the way it should be. Homegrown is a good thing.
Plant that bell and let it ring."Old Neil might have been singing about something else altogether (answers on a postcard!)
but it's gratifying to find that there's a good deal of homegrown bands and songsters in the best wee nation in the world
who can take on Americana type music and deliver their own take on it with a degree of authenticity but
more importantly portraying their feeling and affection for the genre.
Bands such as The Wyntown Marshals, Dropkick, The Ballchulish Hellhounds and the late lamented Southpaw
are all fine examples of Scots bands who can deliver the real thing and the list can be expanded
almost ad infinitum if one looks at the likes of Teenage Fanclub and The Vaselines
who exported the proverbial coals to Newcastle.
Their debut album was as fine a piece of Scots Americana as we've heard in a long time and now on their second release 'Lucky From Kentucky' they consolidate their sound, relying less on their undoubted instrumental prowess with the inclusion of several fine songs that broaden their appeal.
Comprised of Stephen Clark (guitar, mandolin, banjo and Dobro) and Ed Henry (Cajon, drums and percussion)
(supplemented by musicians Martyn McQuade on double bass, Neil Pearlman, piano, Tom McAweaney, fiddle
and Owen McAlpine on Harmonica) Old Dollar Bill cut a fine cloth with ten songs
all self written that range from the swamp blues of My Love She Did Wear A Disguise
to the triumphant closing good time swing of Lucky From Kentucky.
My Love she Did Wear A Disguise is a great opener with Clark snarling a tale of betrayal
that cleaves to a folk tradition but with the menacing Dobro and clattering percussion relocates it
to a swamp ridden murky voodoo land. One More Shot To Kill The Pain is a straightforward country stomp
with fine harp and piano playing with the lyrics appearing to portray a typical Edinburgh bar although
there's no hard drinking 'Rebus' type detective propping up the bar along with the unemployed graduate and the war veteran.
The Man With The Hurtin' Smile slinks along gracefully with some nice Dobro and mandolin fills
while McQuade's bass burbles along nicely. Henry takes over the vocals on Nobody Waiting at Home
the heartworn tale of a John fleeced by a pretty girl and excusing her as he says
"I see the pain in her eyes/where she's cut off social ties/she doesn't look too well/she's living in her own little hell".
This is a great little song with expressive harmonica, intricate percussion and excellent guitar, Dobro and mandolin;
it's reminiscent of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band circa Hollywood Dream which is no bad thing.
This Place is another roustabout country ditty while Hey Y'all plants the fiddle firmly in the foreground
for what is a fiercely danceable hoe-down. Clark returns to the fore vocally on the fine This Feeling
with his mandolin propelling the band as Henry's percussion adds to the drive.
The Last Good Time is a departure of sorts for the band as they rein in the toe tapping vibes and
deliver an emotive ballad that has rippling piano and female harmony vocals.
It comes across almost like a Bruce Cockburn type song, plaintive and affecting it sounds great here.
Home Lovin' Man which follows seems to be another attempt to add an extra dimension to the band,
a pared back stumble with emotive harmonica it has a fine lazy feel.
They close the album with the title song (aided and abetted by Woody Pines and members of The Wilders).
Lucky From Kentucky is a barnstorming closer that must go down a storm live with
its opportunities for the singers and instrumentalists to add to the energy that is already present on the recorded version.
Old Dollar Bill play regularly in the drinking dens of Edinburgh and
on the strength of this should be seen well before any ghost tours.
Across the Tracks E.P
Move On
Bright Light
Hats Off To Begg
The Cold Gin Waltz
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
All material Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Across The Tracks E.P
September 22nd, 2011 by Paul Kerr
When what appeared to be cash money came tumbling out of the envelope
we thought that at last someone had figured out that payola should not be restricted to members of parliament.
Unfortunately it was a fake dollar bill from our old friends in the East, Old Dollar Bill,
the mighty Edinburgh duo of Ed Henry and Stephen Clark.
Hot on the heels of their collaboration with The Wilders and Woody Pines comes this four song EP.
Maintaining their expanded palette with guest musicians from the Edinburgh folk scene
(Martin McQuade on double bass, Owen McAlpine, harmonica, Mairi Orr, harmony vocals
and Tom McAweaney, an old, old friend of Blabber 'n' Smoke on fiddle)
Old Dollar Bill deliver a great little bundle of tunes that sound as if they could have been played by bunch of genuine hillbillies.
Clark excels on mandolin, Dobro and banjo while Henry's percussion and especially his use of the Cajon
adds an extra layer of enjoyment to what are already fine songs.
The EP opens with Move On, a driving romp that warns of the perils of gold digging women.
Bright Light is drawn from the tradition of Appalachian dirges such as Oh Death
and has some spine tingling vocals and fiddle playing. Hats Off to Begg
(dedicated to the late Bryan Begg, a musical compadre of the Bill)
is a heartfelt tribute that has a soulful southern blues slink to it.
The EP closes with The Cold Gin Waltz,
an instrumental that highlights the Celtic influence on Americana and could
easily have featured in a movie such as Cold Mountain.
Old Dollar Bill seem to grow in stature with each release and this one is well recommended.
Lucky From Kentucky 'The Single'
Featuring Special Guests Woody Pines and from The Wilders Ike Sheldon, Nate Gawron and Phil Wade
Written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
Lucky From Kentucky (The Single)
July 24th, 2011 by Paul Kerr
When I wrote about the latest Wilders gig in Glasgow I noted that
they had appeared here so often recently they were becoming akin to locals.
Interesting then that they have indulged in a spot of musical miscegenation,
teaming up with Edinburgh duo Old Dollar Bill for this release.
Furthermore it's a bit of a menage a trois as another popular visitor, namely Woody Pines is also involved.
Before we get too confused what we have here is a one track CD single,
the title song from the forthcoming Old Dollar Bill album, their second.
Before you ask "why should I buy a single with one song that's going to be on the album anyway?"
I'd point out that, in this day and age of digital downloads it's an actual physical artefact and comes with some
very attractive packaging and for the price of a pint is well worth getting.
As for the song itself Old Dollar Bill and the tourists (as they're described in the notes) spend almost six minutes
on a splendidly loose limbed picaresque tale of a "whisky drinking, finger pickin' bluegrass man."
The bass playing of Nate Gawron and Dobro from Phil Wade certainly fill out Old Dollar Bill's sound.
Woody Pines introduces the song with Stephen Clark and Ike Sheldon singing harmonies and Ed Henry singing lead.
Like Hank Williams without the heartbreak it's good time music
and it sounds as if they had a whale of a time recording it.
The enthusiasm certainly spills out of the speakers.
It's a tremendous performance and akin to having a jam session in your room.
Available online it's a great opportunity for fans of all three bands involved to get a piece of the action.
'Old Dollar Bill'
The Self-Titled Debut Album
Left Blue And Wondering
Caroline (The Devil's Bride)
J.D
Drink With Me
Friendly Fire
Cousin Kelly
Bill's Ruckus
Me And My Wine
I Swear I Killed My Liver (Over You)
Greyfriars Blues
Tables For You
Throw In The Towel
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark)
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Old Dollar Bill has stolen the twang and roar
from the lion of Americana music
Woody Pines - January 2011
It's got strength, cajones and a bit of the spook.
Good Scottish Yee-Ha that'll make you glad you listened.
Ya don't wanna miss it!
Ike Sheldon (The Wilders) - August 2010
The Debut Album
October 5th, 2010 by Paul Kerr
This debut album from the Edinburgh based country duo,
Old Dollar Bill is a definite progression from their EP Cheap But Sweet released last year.
While the EP was composed of Steve Earle covers and songs lifted from Springsteen's Seeger project
here we have a collection of songs all composed by the band themselves.
While the Earle influence remains evident (on Friendly Fire for example)
they can hold their head high with this offering.
For a two-man band (with additional support on piano, accordion and fiddle from friends) they can certainly whip up a storm,
guitars, mandolins and banjos whip and flail throughout. Clark carries most of the vocals in a convincing manner
while Henry adds just the right touch of percussion with one track in particular, the instrumental Bill's Ruckus
where he thunders away to great effect using a Brazilian Surdo drum and 2 or 3 bass drums.
While there are obvious debts to the likes of Ry Cooder and the Band (Levon Helm in particular)
the songs in the main stand up to scrutiny. Romance, booze, the Devil and booze again all feature.
Of the drinking songs Me And My Wine is a wonderful boozy waltz while Drink With Me
is a particularly tuneful country pop song that one can imagine Gram Parsons could have crooned.
Clark's vocals almost match some of Parsons southern nuance with a hint of the Stones' country leanings and the piano playing
(by Neil Pearlman) adds a wonderful honky tonk feel. I Swear I Killed My Liver (Over You),
apart from earning points for its wonderful title is a classic country drinking song delivered with gusto.
Befitting their urban hillbilly attitude Cousin Kelly is chock full of tasty licks and feisty fiddle playing
while the vocals capture the housing scheme day time TV attitude perfectly.
Caroline (The Devil's Bride) is a tale of a young man humbled
when the tables are turned and he feels used and abused by a flighty female.
On a lighter note there is the sweet and sour tale of the singer's admiration for a waitress on Tables For You
while the final song Throw in The Towel fires on all cylinders.
Clark spits out the words while his mandolin and Dobro spark against each other in a song that the Pogues
might have been proud to have penned.
Old Dollar Bill appear regularly in Edinburgh,
hopefully they will be over here in the west to see if they can carry these songs off as successfully as they do on the album.
Check out Ike Sheldon of The Wilders endorsement above,
just about says it all I reckon.
.
Apple Music, Spotify, Napster, Zune, Amazon (.com & .co.uk),
eMusic, 7digital, Bloom fm, Deezer,
Omnifone & Xbox Music
Lucky From Kentucky
My Love She Did Wear a Disguise
One More Shot To Kill The Pain
The Man With The Hurtin' Smile
Nobody Waiting At Home
This Place
Hey Y'all
This Feeling
The Last Good Time
Home Lovin' Man
Lucky From Kentucky
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
All material Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Lucky From Kentucky
September 17th, 2012 by Blabber 'n' Smoke
It was Neil Young who sang "Homegrown is the way it should be. Homegrown is a good thing.
Plant that bell and let it ring."Old Neil might have been singing about something else altogether (answers on a postcard!)
but it's gratifying to find that there's a good deal of homegrown bands and songsters in the best wee nation in the world
who can take on Americana type music and deliver their own take on it with a degree of authenticity but
more importantly portraying their feeling and affection for the genre.
Bands such as The Wyntown Marshals, Dropkick, The Ballchulish Hellhounds and the late lamented Southpaw
are all fine examples of Scots bands who can deliver the real thing and the list can be expanded
almost ad infinitum if one looks at the likes of Teenage Fanclub and The Vaselines
who exported the proverbial coals to Newcastle.
Old Dollar Bill are a grand addition to the local canon of Scots combos
who can summon up a genuine feel for American music.
In their case it's old time good time stringband hoe-downs and rollicking country songs.
who can summon up a genuine feel for American music.
In their case it's old time good time stringband hoe-downs and rollicking country songs.
Their debut album was as fine a piece of Scots Americana as we've heard in a long time and now on their second release 'Lucky From Kentucky' they consolidate their sound, relying less on their undoubted instrumental prowess with the inclusion of several fine songs that broaden their appeal.
Comprised of Stephen Clark (guitar, mandolin, banjo and Dobro) and Ed Henry (Cajon, drums and percussion)
(supplemented by musicians Martyn McQuade on double bass, Neil Pearlman, piano, Tom McAweaney, fiddle
and Owen McAlpine on Harmonica) Old Dollar Bill cut a fine cloth with ten songs
all self written that range from the swamp blues of My Love She Did Wear A Disguise
to the triumphant closing good time swing of Lucky From Kentucky.
My Love she Did Wear A Disguise is a great opener with Clark snarling a tale of betrayal
that cleaves to a folk tradition but with the menacing Dobro and clattering percussion relocates it
to a swamp ridden murky voodoo land. One More Shot To Kill The Pain is a straightforward country stomp
with fine harp and piano playing with the lyrics appearing to portray a typical Edinburgh bar although
there's no hard drinking 'Rebus' type detective propping up the bar along with the unemployed graduate and the war veteran.
The Man With The Hurtin' Smile slinks along gracefully with some nice Dobro and mandolin fills
while McQuade's bass burbles along nicely. Henry takes over the vocals on Nobody Waiting at Home
the heartworn tale of a John fleeced by a pretty girl and excusing her as he says
"I see the pain in her eyes/where she's cut off social ties/she doesn't look too well/she's living in her own little hell".
This is a great little song with expressive harmonica, intricate percussion and excellent guitar, Dobro and mandolin;
it's reminiscent of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band circa Hollywood Dream which is no bad thing.
This Place is another roustabout country ditty while Hey Y'all plants the fiddle firmly in the foreground
for what is a fiercely danceable hoe-down. Clark returns to the fore vocally on the fine This Feeling
with his mandolin propelling the band as Henry's percussion adds to the drive.
The Last Good Time is a departure of sorts for the band as they rein in the toe tapping vibes and
deliver an emotive ballad that has rippling piano and female harmony vocals.
It comes across almost like a Bruce Cockburn type song, plaintive and affecting it sounds great here.
Home Lovin' Man which follows seems to be another attempt to add an extra dimension to the band,
a pared back stumble with emotive harmonica it has a fine lazy feel.
They close the album with the title song (aided and abetted by Woody Pines and members of The Wilders).
Lucky From Kentucky is a barnstorming closer that must go down a storm live with
its opportunities for the singers and instrumentalists to add to the energy that is already present on the recorded version.
Old Dollar Bill play regularly in the drinking dens of Edinburgh and
on the strength of this should be seen well before any ghost tours.
Across the Tracks E.P
Move On
Bright Light
Hats Off To Begg
The Cold Gin Waltz
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
All material Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Across The Tracks E.P
September 22nd, 2011 by Paul Kerr
When what appeared to be cash money came tumbling out of the envelope
we thought that at last someone had figured out that payola should not be restricted to members of parliament.
Unfortunately it was a fake dollar bill from our old friends in the East, Old Dollar Bill,
the mighty Edinburgh duo of Ed Henry and Stephen Clark.
Hot on the heels of their collaboration with The Wilders and Woody Pines comes this four song EP.
Maintaining their expanded palette with guest musicians from the Edinburgh folk scene
(Martin McQuade on double bass, Owen McAlpine, harmonica, Mairi Orr, harmony vocals
and Tom McAweaney, an old, old friend of Blabber 'n' Smoke on fiddle)
Old Dollar Bill deliver a great little bundle of tunes that sound as if they could have been played by bunch of genuine hillbillies.
Clark excels on mandolin, Dobro and banjo while Henry's percussion and especially his use of the Cajon
adds an extra layer of enjoyment to what are already fine songs.
The EP opens with Move On, a driving romp that warns of the perils of gold digging women.
Bright Light is drawn from the tradition of Appalachian dirges such as Oh Death
and has some spine tingling vocals and fiddle playing. Hats Off to Begg
(dedicated to the late Bryan Begg, a musical compadre of the Bill)
is a heartfelt tribute that has a soulful southern blues slink to it.
The EP closes with The Cold Gin Waltz,
an instrumental that highlights the Celtic influence on Americana and could
easily have featured in a movie such as Cold Mountain.
Old Dollar Bill seem to grow in stature with each release and this one is well recommended.
Lucky From Kentucky 'The Single'
Featuring Special Guests Woody Pines and from The Wilders Ike Sheldon, Nate Gawron and Phil Wade
Written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark).
Recorded and produced by Martyn Mcquade at Louis Martyns Recording Studio, Longniddry
Lucky From Kentucky (The Single)
July 24th, 2011 by Paul Kerr
When I wrote about the latest Wilders gig in Glasgow I noted that
they had appeared here so often recently they were becoming akin to locals.
Interesting then that they have indulged in a spot of musical miscegenation,
teaming up with Edinburgh duo Old Dollar Bill for this release.
Furthermore it's a bit of a menage a trois as another popular visitor, namely Woody Pines is also involved.
Before we get too confused what we have here is a one track CD single,
the title song from the forthcoming Old Dollar Bill album, their second.
Before you ask "why should I buy a single with one song that's going to be on the album anyway?"
I'd point out that, in this day and age of digital downloads it's an actual physical artefact and comes with some
very attractive packaging and for the price of a pint is well worth getting.
As for the song itself Old Dollar Bill and the tourists (as they're described in the notes) spend almost six minutes
on a splendidly loose limbed picaresque tale of a "whisky drinking, finger pickin' bluegrass man."
The bass playing of Nate Gawron and Dobro from Phil Wade certainly fill out Old Dollar Bill's sound.
Woody Pines introduces the song with Stephen Clark and Ike Sheldon singing harmonies and Ed Henry singing lead.
Like Hank Williams without the heartbreak it's good time music
and it sounds as if they had a whale of a time recording it.
The enthusiasm certainly spills out of the speakers.
It's a tremendous performance and akin to having a jam session in your room.
Available online it's a great opportunity for fans of all three bands involved to get a piece of the action.
'Old Dollar Bill'
The Self-Titled Debut Album
Left Blue And Wondering
Caroline (The Devil's Bride)
J.D
Drink With Me
Friendly Fire
Cousin Kelly
Bill's Ruckus
Me And My Wine
I Swear I Killed My Liver (Over You)
Greyfriars Blues
Tables For You
Throw In The Towel
All material written, recorded and produced by Old Dollar Bill (E.Henry) & (S.Clark)
To buy in digital format from Apple Music - Click Here
Old Dollar Bill has stolen the twang and roar
from the lion of Americana music
Woody Pines - January 2011
It's got strength, cajones and a bit of the spook.
Good Scottish Yee-Ha that'll make you glad you listened.
Ya don't wanna miss it!
Ike Sheldon (The Wilders) - August 2010
The Debut Album
October 5th, 2010 by Paul Kerr
This debut album from the Edinburgh based country duo,
Old Dollar Bill is a definite progression from their EP Cheap But Sweet released last year.
While the EP was composed of Steve Earle covers and songs lifted from Springsteen's Seeger project
here we have a collection of songs all composed by the band themselves.
While the Earle influence remains evident (on Friendly Fire for example)
they can hold their head high with this offering.
For a two-man band (with additional support on piano, accordion and fiddle from friends) they can certainly whip up a storm,
guitars, mandolins and banjos whip and flail throughout. Clark carries most of the vocals in a convincing manner
while Henry adds just the right touch of percussion with one track in particular, the instrumental Bill's Ruckus
where he thunders away to great effect using a Brazilian Surdo drum and 2 or 3 bass drums.
While there are obvious debts to the likes of Ry Cooder and the Band (Levon Helm in particular)
the songs in the main stand up to scrutiny. Romance, booze, the Devil and booze again all feature.
Of the drinking songs Me And My Wine is a wonderful boozy waltz while Drink With Me
is a particularly tuneful country pop song that one can imagine Gram Parsons could have crooned.
Clark's vocals almost match some of Parsons southern nuance with a hint of the Stones' country leanings and the piano playing
(by Neil Pearlman) adds a wonderful honky tonk feel. I Swear I Killed My Liver (Over You),
apart from earning points for its wonderful title is a classic country drinking song delivered with gusto.
Befitting their urban hillbilly attitude Cousin Kelly is chock full of tasty licks and feisty fiddle playing
while the vocals capture the housing scheme day time TV attitude perfectly.
Caroline (The Devil's Bride) is a tale of a young man humbled
when the tables are turned and he feels used and abused by a flighty female.
On a lighter note there is the sweet and sour tale of the singer's admiration for a waitress on Tables For You
while the final song Throw in The Towel fires on all cylinders.
Clark spits out the words while his mandolin and Dobro spark against each other in a song that the Pogues
might have been proud to have penned.
Old Dollar Bill appear regularly in Edinburgh,
hopefully they will be over here in the west to see if they can carry these songs off as successfully as they do on the album.
Check out Ike Sheldon of The Wilders endorsement above,
just about says it all I reckon.