More than fifteen years ago SuperwolfMatt Sweeney and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, two cult musicians of American music, have returned to join forces to Superwolves, album released on Friday 30th April. It’s a classic collaborative record, written in the manner of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead: Bonnie writes the lyrics, then Sweeney shapes the chords and melodies, then the two reunite to play together. From here come new ideas, texts and harmonies to work on in a fluid way.
The writing of Superwolves begins five years ago, but the two met for a real session only shortly before the arrival of the pandemic. “It’s very inspiring to write music that Will will sing to,” Sweeney said. “It’s not an easy challenge. It makes me want to combine his voice with a guitar part that holds it like a glass holds wine, or blood, or whatever is necessary for a better life ».
We took advantage of the release to ask Sweeney and Billy to tell us about their favorite “musical couples” in a playlist. They started from a non-musical couple: Mohammed Mrabet and Paul Bowles.
«All the stories and novels published under the name of Mrabet» they tell «have passed through the filter of Bowles’ translation. They are two narrators who place themselves in each other’s hands. We put Bowles in the physical edition artwork of Superwolf and Mrabet in that of Superwolves, because their collaboration fascinates and inspires us. The act of recognizing the other as a companion, help and inspiration is something we rely on very much, it is very familiar to us».
“Cheree” Suicide
When he was 16 Sweeney saw them live at CBGB, years later he found his Alan Vega in Bonny.
“Empire of the Senseless” Mekons & Kathy Acker
The Mekons wrote Empire of the Senseless inspired by a book by Kathy Acker. Then they did a show together, Pussy, King of the Pirates, pushing the boundaries of what can be done with a literary-musical collaboration. Acker is great at dissecting things and the Mekons are great at joining forces and celebrating the heterogeneous, making it cohesive.
“I Confess” Kevin Coyne & Dagmar Krause
At the end of the 20th century Bonny introduced Sweeney to this extraordinary collaboration. Sweeney is still very grateful to him.
“Blues in the Night” Frank Sinatra & Nelson Riddle
Tilt by Scott Walker e Only the Lonely by Frank Sinatra are two records that are very similar. Walker has found those solitary atmospheres within himself, while Sinatra has always relied on authors and arrangers. Only the Lonely it’s a grand, raw, abstract and poetic record thanks to the respect and partnership that Riddle and Sinatra were unafraid to show each other.
“I Feel Good Again” Junior Kimbrough & Charlie Feathers
Hearing these two giants of American music together as they explore the blending of their signature styles in real time is heavenly. Here Charlie follows the inimitable lead of Junior.
“Good Ole Boys Like Me” Don Williams & Bob McDill
Not enough has been written about the ways in which singers and songwriters cross their paths. There is no better match between pen and voice than Don Williams singing Bob McDill songs like Good Ole Boys Like Me And If Hollywood Don’t Need You (Honey I Still Do). The writing is striking, unusual for an American country song, and the performance is confident, lovable and solid. The end result elevates all parties involved, especially the public. It’s proof that even in simple music there is room for some complexity.
“Stinkey” Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley
There’s no doubt, these two have been at it together. It is heard in this piece, where it is clear that Chuck approves of Bo’s guitar break, as if he were saying «don’t stop, keep going, I’m coming too, but now you play really good».
“My Buddy” Quincy Jones & Ray Charles
Jones and Charles knew each other as children and have always worked together. When Quincy Jones received the Kennedy Center Honor from the President of the United States, Charles sang My Buddy and he immediately took over the room, erasing the pomposity and superficiality of the ceremony to send a unique message of love, respect and musical friendship.
“Sex Dwarf” Soft Cell
The different personalities and abilities of the members of this duo shaped their famous cover of Tainted loveexactly as we respectfully messed up There Must Be Someone by the Gosdin Brothers for Superwolves. But we listened Tainted love way too many times, so here’s another piece from these bad boys.
