Review: Olney's final album is a haunting collaboration
There’s a poignancy to David Olney's new album “Whispers and Sighs,” especially with such song titles as “My Favorite Goodbye” and “My Last Dream Of You.”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."Whispers and Sighs,” David Olney and Anana Kaye (Schoolkids Records)
There's a poignancy to these 11 swan songs, especially with such titles as “My Favorite Goodbye," “My Last Dream Of You” and “The Great Manzini (Disappearing Act).”
Finality is a recurring theme on “Whispers and Sighs,” and during the mixing of the album early last year, singer-songwriter David Olney died on stage at a Florida music festival at age 71.
A master of his craft, Olney always chased his muse rather than hits, and his reputation is burnished by this unlikely collaboration with Anana Kaye, a young singer-songwriter from the country of Georgia who is now based in Nashville
These original songs about love, longing and impermanence are set more than a century ago, perhaps in Europe their dreamy beauty magnified by marvelous singing. Kaye's arresting alto echoes Broadway and the Caucasus Mountains, while Olney makes like an Americana Burl Ives. They both sound wise and well-traveled.
“Time takes everything but love,” Olney sings on “My Favorite Goodbye.”
Kaye's husband, guitarist Irakli Gabriel, co-wrote and contributed to arrangements that vary from the fiddle-driven Klezmer of the title cut to piano-pounding rock on “Last Days Of Rome.”
As the latter reaches its compelling climax, Olney shouts, “Raise your glass!”
Here’s to you, David.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.