Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Coney Island

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - "2-15/New Partner" accompanied by Cynthia Hopkins. Directed by Lance Bangs, audio recording by Dan Roorda, filmed with Braden King, Shawn Kim. Coordinated by Morgan Lebus.

[@danielepratirisponde42]

Probably my favorite thing on KZbin ever.

[@annalindvall3948]

mine too

[@premadonna]

Me too ❤

[@TomPatten-tw7cg]

I've watched this every month for over 10 year.

[@egieskes769]

I was looking for this video for 9 years and finally found it back in 2024❤❤❤❤❤

[@elpotopov]

I just got the urge to save it in my hard drive...

[@KilmoreMurphy]

ha ha, there was an amazing one of Sam Amidon doing "As I Roved Out" at SXSW and it disappeared. If anyone can help me find it, they, too, will benefit from its greatness. Together we can find all our lost videos. Or at least a good amount.

[@bobdemetter6659]

I was there! This was at KeySpan Park - Coney Island, Brooklyn on 22 and 23 August 2003. What an amazing show. Sigur Rós followed, with Björk headlining. What a magical show and night.

[@lexorcism]

Stacked line-up!

[@mmabennyj]

This video changed my life. After 10 years of fear I heard this drove to an airport and got on a plane.

[@sheslostcontrol24]

BEN SHAW well?

[@JosephRDBenjamin]

Did you hijack it? Or pussied out?

[@arkx.5365]

I would love to hear more about your story.

[@carlosgaspar8447]

and the car can still be found at the airport if anyone wants to claim it and the massive parking ticket.

[@jbri1]

@@JosephRDBenjamin ffs...

[@treborif]

I sang New Partner at Country Music festival here on the West Coast NZ and all the oldies waltzed to me.

[@joshuaeggleston2027]

For all those who do not know the first half of this song is a cover of a song called '2/15' by Marquis De Tren on which Will sings and the lyrics are lifted from the epic poem 'Gitanjali' by the amazing Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore (the 2nd and 15th verses of the poem make up the lyrics of the song, hence the title 2/15) and the second half ("There's a black tinted sunset...) is a cover of the song New Partner by Palace, Will's former project.

[@SerjALovelyDeadBoy]

who's Marquis De Tren?

[@unwavery]

Marquis De Tren is the guy from Palace Music :)

[@FlameFlickers]

it's hardly a "cover" of New Partner. He wrote it!

[@TheodorBjork]

2 When thou commandest me to sing it seems that my heart would break with pride; and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes. All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony - and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea. I know thou takest pleasure in my singing. I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence. I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing of my song thy feet which I could never aspire to reach. Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord. 15 I am here to sing thee songs. In this hall of thine I have a corner seat. In thy world I have no work to do; my useless life can only break out in tunes without a purpose. When the hour strikes for thy silent worship at the dark temple of midnight, command me, my master, to stand before thee to sing. When in the morning air the golden harp is tuned, honour me, commanding my presence.

[@frankpeter6851]

FlameFlickers Ia anyone articulate enough for you?

[@GastMusike]

This guy has broken my heart for almost two decades. What an incredible human being. Thanks Will, just thank you for your incredible artistry.

[@GastMusike]

Listening again, I can't name another like you. Sublime.

[@acroaker1]

vesten non hey where you at? cuz I know.

[@user-ju7ze9to4k]

Exactly.

[@rozerain1614]

I love him too. He reminds me how to feel

[@shasta8sisyphus]

my thoughts exactly. over and over.

[@gabeuop79]

Wow. In front of thousands of people, he manages to create an incredibly personal and emotional moment for each person.

[@windowliberationbrigade1860]

this one austrian guy used to be able to do that as well, think it was in the 1960s or 1970s, forgot his name

[@aamoran10]

Honestly one of the most beautiful performances ever recorded. I first heard this a year ago and I've come back almost every day since. The stunning lyrics, the deadpan expressions and that raw, unfussy voice. Just wonderful!

[@user-ju7ze9to4k]

Well said

[@tinapeiker2006]

If she wouldn't sing I'd be d'accord!

[@kaotoole88]

Yes! This performance is remarkable. I always return to it.

[@pickledOnionGal]

Same here. Its magic

[@reejones1713]

Thank-you Will Oldham, you are an angel on this Earth.

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

+Only Fact Really?? He doesn't?? Where'd you find this out?

[@jackrashley]

+Only Fact I hope this is a lie

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

jack ashley If he legit does not write his own lyrics i will be devastated bc his lyrics are an essential part of his music

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

***** but i need proof

[@JaredGammel]

+Only Fact LOL

[@aron7766]

That transition into New Partner is godly.

[@PatrickRider]

Bonnie a.k.a Will Oldham is special musician. Genius artist. This peace is especially great. First part is a poem by great Indian polymath Rabindranath Tagore’s “2-15, and then he transitions to his song. Beautiful. Additionally, lady accompanying him is Cynthia Hopkins - great performance artist. And did you know that he also wrote: I see a darkness song with Johnny Cash. True genius he is.

[@ronman9187]

I always come back to this video in my toughest times. Guess this makes tough time number 5. You all deserve to smile and you all are beautiful.

[@trackerbuckmann1627]

This has to be one of the best live performances I've ever heard. Really a testament to his talent.

[@kellihuth2571]

This is the one of the most beautiful performances I've ever seen. I've watched it a thousand times, I bet. His voice is more familiar in my head than my own father's, which is weirder than shit.

[@RataStuey]

It’s beautiful 😊

[@Shroogle]

Desperately wish this was an official single release

[@tcsnakeocombat8251]

Beautifull

[@CentraljocK]

stunning..

[@wax7550]

Will oldham is a strange piece of Americana. So unknown, so great

[@axeljk1]

The shout / scream of recognition when he starts “ there’s a black tinted sunset ..”

[@TheMarce3]

Bless you FOREVER

[@myoze01]

2022 and I still listen ot this dailey :) XO =) ;) 😌😍😩😎🎶

[@juliaolson9703]

Found this video again....it's been years since I listened to this laying on my blow up couch with my $50 Craigslist guitar trying to learn these chords. Back when I was a more emotionally fragile 19 year old finding passion in music for the first time...years later I now have a real couch and a job and life is more predictable but this video still breaks my heart in the best way

[@beeflumps]

I transcribed the song's lyrics: When you ask me to sing, it feels like my heart would burst with pride And I look at your face, and tears come to my eyes. And all that's harsh and wrong, in my life melts into one sweet song and my love spreads wings like a glad bird, flying over the road. Well I know you take pleasure in my singing And I know that only when I sing do you hear me Cause then I touch things I can't touch I touch parts of you that I can't really touch And then drunk with this joy of singing I forget myself, and call you my friend. Lalalalala lalalalalalalalala I'm here we're here to sing you songs In this field we have this corner spot In your world we have no real work to do Our life is just to sit here and sing these songs, that have no purpose And there's a black tinted sunset the prettiest of skies Layback Layback rest your head on my thighs There is some awful action that breathes from my hand It's just breaths from a deed so exquisitely grand And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind Well I would not have moved, if I knew you were here It's some special action with motives unclear Now you'll haunt me until I have payed for what I have done It's a payment which precludes the having of fun And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind But ho, ho I've got a new partner riding with me, Yes I've got a new partner now. Now the sun's fading faster We're ready to go And There's a skirt in the bedroom that's pleasantly low And the loons on the moor are the fish in the flow And my friends my friends they still whisper hello We all know what we know it's a hard swath to mow when you think like a hermit and forget what you know! And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind And you were always, on my mind But ho ho, I've got a new partner riding with me Yes I've got a new partner riding with me Well I've got a new partner now

[@luiscano8514]

Beautiful ♥

[@arpmetal]

This music is something only i get to understand, I feel like you need to be a weirdo to enjoy it, I just can't find a way to show this to my friends and they burst into tears.

[@noeljohnson868]

Nice to see the admirers of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy so admirably - and almost universally - avoiding mentioning what the F he is wearing...

[@windowliberationbrigade1860]

@Donna Gerein you dont use your eyes very often huh

[@derfgerps4016]

New Partner will always be a classic. Still blowing peoples minds by introducing them to Wil’s music. He truly is one of the best songwriters of the past 30’s and arguably ever.

[@anderso80]

I play this to the customers in the bookshop I work at sometimes. Usually everyone just goes all smiley and chill but every once in a while someone asks me who's singing. Always a good day when you've given someone the introduction. :)

[@BonniePB]

A true classic!!!

[@tindozic1221]

this video reminds me life makes sense

[@tindozic1221]

still does!

[@arkx.5365]

Tin Dozic Wow you returned to your comment looks like nearly 3 years later. That's pretty cool man!

[@tindozic1221]

@@arkx.5365 i think this is my only comment on youtube for now.

[@arkx.5365]

@@tindozic1221 Wow!

[@simongoodwin2376]

Simple...just ...emotion

[@tomallen5837]

how does one aquire a light blue jump suit .. with a hoodie... plays at a baseball field... and quotes poetry?.... and sings like an angel... in the late afternoon? how.

[@nitehawkcologne]

this is a great guy! beautiful!

[@brandonmcmahan2859]

Welp. That was the single greatest thing of all time.

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

I've been a fan of Cynthia for a long time now. Weird how I'm just now finding this.

[@Nytemarezxz]

It's not the singing it's how he captures emotion.

[@perryryan1618]

I got to actually meet Lance Bangs about a month ago and tell him how much I love and appreciate this video. He told me they actually shot a full concert, but this is the only thing that's surfaced. I'd love to see the full thing, but if this is all we get, that's fine. A massively beautiful clip.

[@amorentokio]

Is the full concert available anywhere or anyway?

[@perryryan1618]

@@amorentokio Not that I'm aware of, sadly. He said this was the only clip of it that's online.

[@amorentokio]

@@perryryan1618 Really sad! Thanks anyway

[@sofiaronnqvist2315]

So incredibly beutiful❤❤❤❤❤

[@ntleaver29]

Stumbled upon this by accident and i'm so glad I did! Love it! Relaxing. .... like a lullaby.

[@j.lahtinen7525]

The more I hear of Bonnie Prince Billy, the more I actually come to appreciate his songs.

[@radorad6131]

Fck! Had no idea he sounds even better live ❤❤❤

[@doc257]

Fc København

[@kvinmccann9510]

Will, this is one of the most intimate songs I ever heard. Love the version he did on WVUM 90.5 FM Miami

[@LukeRissa]

Your always on my minf

[@Surf4evah]

Possibly teh most awesomest thing ever on KZbin. I can't stop watching it, and haven't done any work for two days as a result :(

[@michaelschranz8640]

so beautiful. for everyone asking how to play this song, his guitar is tuned to D standard. so if you put the capo at the fourth fret it will be wrong unless you are tuned down a whole step. to play it in standard tuning, put the capo on the 2nd fret and place C/Em/F for most of the song. there is a couple parts where he just switches from c to f and leaves the Em out. just watch the video to see☺

[@jasonfifi]

Michael Schranz yup. concert Bb guitar tuning. dgcfad.

[@KungFuHypocrisy]

I've never understood the Down tuning to D standard, then placing a capo. Dan Bern does that, too. Why?

[@jasonfifi]

i do it for several reasons. principally or at least in my case, the reason i started doing it, is that it makes it very easy to communicate with trumpet players. without a capo, my "C" is their "C." secondly, it allows the guitar to feel pretty natural with flatwound 12 or 13 guage strings. i know outside of shreddy metal guys, it's not so common to "drop" tune or whatever, but there are plenty of reasons to try it out in earthy or honest music. it makes an electric guitar that reacts and feels very much like a parlor guitar but instead of a top choking out under harder hits, the amp is reacting to those harder dynamics. it's much more enjoyable to play than an acoustic electric in a live context. flat-top acoustic-electrics, even with the nicest possible pickups and preamps and mics, need so much fliffing and flaffing in post that it never sounds natural. i'm sure other folks have their own reasons for it, but those are my reasons.

[@chrissawyer4060]

I always get the feeling he forgets that he's playing guitar. It seems so effortless and beautiful it's like he's using his own fake book or something because I've never heard him hit a sour patch or stray too far from that home he has detailed and decorated for decades. He is a masterful writer and even his simplest ideas turn out pretty grand in their depth once you hear the inspiration. Blueberry Jam is the song this man wrote when faced with death by ballistic missile impact. Okeh!

[@treborif]

@@jasonfifi G Bm C in standard tuning works for me - can get that barnyard choke in my voice. Altho most of the time (a good friends funeral once) acapella. I met Will once in 1996 in Port Chalmers NZ - he was staying with Brian and Mary Rose Crook.

[@johnnyjabsco1999]

I used to listen to The Palace Brothers album years ago (I think it was called There is no one what will take care of me or something like that). I bought it in a record store in about 1993/ 94. I loved that album, I used to listen to it all the time. I am English so it wasn't well known at all here. I have never met anybody that has heard of them. I always thought he didn't really have a good singing voice but watching this I realise how wrong I was. That is assuming that this IS the guy that sang on the at album. Much respect.

[@markburrow5916]

It is the same guy.

[@markstanley5337]

watched this so many times and I love it and it will never end.

[@deatheater459]

i feel absolutely blessed to have been able to see him live. one of two shows i actually shed tear at. in a good way.

[@TPKKPT]

i love this mans music :)

[@philoxus]

Quite simply beautiful. Left me breathless!! Px

[@kistlermartin5678]

A very Special Version. Ich liebe die Kulisse...den Backround.

[@paulalbert726]

this echo on word "pride" makes amazing effect :)

[@sebastianbeiglbock3606]

One of the most beautiful performances ever.

[@stimpy510]

Every time. Perfect.

[@dankot87]

I think i'll be watching this video until the day i die everything about it is so right!

[@fantanization]

U will be always on my mind❤

[@atovidou]

I love this.

[@Calleisak]

Mindblown. Fantastic, pure poetry both in words and atmosphere

[@cob1965]

wonderful, thanks.

[@paulopipouf]

This song is so wonderful, it catches me perfectly. i recently posted a cover of it. singing it or listenning to it is like a hug to my heart.

[@cloudybongwater]

i met him in 2007 in hamburg, germany. hes a very friendly and down to earth bloke who took all the time in world to chat to me and my son. sort of made our day !!!

[@melanieeugenieziegler]

Pure. Simple. Beautiful.

[@deborahlevy2331]

A friend, Joshua, recommended this a few months ago. I've listened to it a few times everyday and everytime, I cry because it's so beautiful, pure, full of emotion, uplifting. Great voice, uses his voice so well. I can't listen to it only once. Thanks Joshua for adding this beauty to my life. Deb.

[@alundra89]

Magic

[@MsRobyn1975]

Oh Bonnie how I love you...

[@robertomendez187]

love this song!!! so much!

[@dearcj1]

this thing healed my depression

[@windowliberationbrigade1860]

what usually works for me is shooting meth and drinking Sobe with the clerk down at the TA

[@hoksane]

happy new year!...from artic circle...

[@NerfHerder088]

first one is 2/15 (its off of The Marquis de Tren and Bonnie Prince Billy - "Get on Jolly") and the second song is a Palace Brothers song, "New Partner"

[@DeepestSleep]

When you ask me to sing, it feels like my heart would burst with pride.

[@klausstoffelen8515]

toller künstler..intensiv & einer meiner liebsten interpreten

[@tezveziz934]

what a musician. transcends the norm.

[@bobbyrapsa8147]

2021 and I still listen to him daily. Peace and Love everyone! ✌

[@MrArthurdog]

Just wonderful

[@chrissawyer4060]

This reminds me of those brunch meals where you have like say some slow cooked cheese grits and a buttery biscuit that you really are trying not to devour out right so you keep coming back to taste it and then going to the kimchi collard greens and back around to the korean short rib. I am trying not to devour this song but its been on triple repeat for about 8 years now.

[@DuncanCrombie-u2e]

Nice one Billy.Duncan1❤

[@deatheater459]

i saw him in nashville tn in about 2009 at the belcourt theater, best.

[@thesinead3924]

Raw, vulnerable and so beautiful.Thank you ,amazing being.

[@malykroliczek]

beautiful. It is song of 2017 for me ;)

[@pauljones5066]

unbelievably good

[@loveyou69bb]

this is the most beautiful guitar ive ever seen

[@FrequencyBender]

Damn, this came up playing by accident due to KZbin's autoplay (Hooray!), listening subconsciously this was a very captivating performance! Amazing!

[@AltaPueblo]

Thanx for posting and turning us onto this performance. It is effing gorgeous pdx91. BPB is magical and moving. Wow :)

[@goozervanpancake]

Thank goodness.

[@fiercestrategycreative4012]

Love.

[@puresalemguitars3910]

WOW .... That was awesome. What talent.

[@LunaSeaSane]

Quite beautiful.

[@ninjaultra]

Awesome.

[@anabelaoliveira]

No words!

[@jaredgalliano]

So beautiful!!!

[@pierrelouanges5688]

So close to heart

[@message2rudie]

Respond to this video... sweeter than than summertime infatuation

[@nic0lenicky]

he's amazing. always.

[@legofeet79]

@nathan817 Absolutely bang-on...you can't top this!!!!

[@pickeringpick]

My love spreads wings like a glad bird

[@utedietrich751]

This is amazing! Will is so good.

[@TylerBurkhart]

so beautiful; so enigmatic

[@fabiorossetti9117]

..splendid..

[@jayi100]

Wow, this is incredibly good. Bless his soul.

[@Katrinvandewauwer]

Pure poetry ❤