ALBUMS
ALBUMS
Wondering what would David Olney write during a pandemic? As the song goes, "Let's go back in history..."
This previously unreleased original Folk song features David Olney’s signature skewed perspective with a harmonic tale that resonates. Just as David wrote a gritty love song about the Titanic from the perspective of the iceberg, “Mister Rat and Mister Flea” go on World Tour with a patter, a prance, and a “Pocketful of Posies”.
A portion of the proceeds from this single release to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee http://www.SecondHarvestMidTN.org
David Olney – Vocals / Gibson ES-125 Electric Guitar
Recorded and Mixed by Jack Irwin for Silvertone Recording Service Mastered by Brett Ryan Stewart of WireBird Productions Produced by David Olney
"New Orleans all the way. Another walking around song. Got it going pretty good, then took it over to [John] Hadley to put the icing on the cake. A rockin’ post funeral march.” — David Olney
David Olney – Vocals, Guitar Daniel Seymour – Doghouse Bass Justin Amaral – Drums, Percussion Randy Handley – Piano Half Brass: Oscar Utterstrom – Trombone Jim Williamson – Trumpet Neil Konouchi – Tuba Chris West – Tenor Saxophone
Written by David Olney, John Hadley - Red Lilly Music, ASCAP; Hadley Six BMI
Recorded and Mixed at Guido’s Studio South by Mark Robinson Produced by David Olney and Mark Robinson Assistant Producer: Daniel Seymour Mastering Engineer: Keith Compton Cover Illustration: Jeff Bertrand
"I wanted to get a Bill Withers sort of vibe musically. The words started to come to me as I was walking around in San Francisco. I took what I had to John Hadley and we finished it up in a couple of hours. There’s a line somewhere, “...a thing of beauty is a joy forever." Also, "Truth is beauty, beauty truth. That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know" from Keats' Ode On A Grecian Urn. Steal from the best.” — David Olney
Performed by: David Olney – Vocals, Guitar Daniel Seymour – Bass Guitar Justin Amaral – Drums, Percussion
Written by David Olney, John Hadley - Red Lilly Music, ASCAP; Hadley Six BMI
Recorded and Mixed at Guido’s Studio South by Mark Robinson. Produced by David Olney and Mark Robinson. Assistant Producer: Daniel Seymour. Mastering Engineer: Keith Compton. Cover Illustration: Jeff Bertrand.
"A cover of the Robert Parker hit. You can’t top the original version, so I tried to deconstruct it and have as much fun as I could with it. Look out for splinters.” — David Olney
David Olney – Vocals; Daniel Seymour – Bass Guitar; Justin Amaral – Drums, Percussion; Mark Robinson – Electric Guitar;
Recorded and Mixed at Guido’s Studio South by Mark Robinson; Produced by David Olney and Mark Robinson; Assistant Producer: Daniel Seymour; Mastering Engineer: Keith Compton; Written by Robert Parker - Bonatemp Music Publishing Co. Inc. Cover Illustration: Jeff Bertrand
On this collection of songs, David Olney explores the idea of walls, physically and metaphorically. The timeless analogy of blocking and guarding striking both curiosity and questioning the other side, hoping to get an answer. “Hope and dreams and work and love are all that separates us from despair,” says Olney.
“This Side Or the Other delivers apt political commentary without being ham-handed. Americans under a constant barrage of tweets and news alerts deserve some smart analysis with a touch of nuance. And that if comes from an Americana record, so be it. In fact, let’s celebrate it.” (No Depression Magazine)
- Always The Stranger
- Wall
- Border Town
- I Spy
- Running From Love
- This Side Or The Other
- Death Will Not Divide Us
- Open Your Heart (And Let Me In)
- Stand Tall 5:19
- She’s Not There
Black Hen Music 2018
Red Parlor Records 2017
"If you like your musical heroes to rock out like the jackhammer of a rockabilly saint but also deliver song sonnets from a contemplative place, then David Olney is your man.” ( Acoustic Live! Magazine – New York, New York )
Produced by award-winning singer-songwriter Brock Zeman, this album of 10 new songs reunites David Olney with Red Parlor Records, which released 2007’s acclaimed “One Tough Town” album.
On the cover: “Hercules Battles The TVA” - Detail of original art by Gwil Owen
- If They Ever Let Me Out
- Innocent Heart
- Don’t Try To Fight It
- Ferris Wheel
- Crack In The Wall
- Situation
- Sweet Sugaree
- Evermore
- Yesterday’s News
- Big Top (Tornado)
Produced and engineered by Brock Zeman at The Big Muddy Studios in Carleton Place, Ottawa, Canada. Mixed and mastered by Steve Foley at Audio Valley recording studio, Ottawa, Canada.
The Players: David Olney- vocals, harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica Blair Hogan - electric guitar, bass, nylon string guitar, mandolin Brock Zeman - acoustic guitar, harmony vocals, glockenspiel, pads Dylan Roberts - drums, percussion Kelly Prescott - harmony vocals Michael Ball - fiddle Mike Yates - cello Steve Dawson - dobro Tyler Kealey - piano, accordion, keyboards Wayne Mills - saxophone
Deadbeet Records 2014
Master craftsman, acclaimed singer/songwriter and globe-trotting performer David Olney stacks the deck with his new “When The Deal Goes Down” full-length studio album. Produced by Olney and bluesman Mark Robinson and backed by some of Music City’s most creative players, the collection features Olney’s signature sharp storytelling, colorful narratives and trademark dramatics presented via a dozen tales of roots music mayhem and delight.
"Though he's best known as a masterful wordsmith, Olney [has a] knack for creating THE IDEAL ATMOSPHERE for his GOTHIC-NOIR TUNES.” ~ Acoustic Guitar Magazine
- When the Deal Goes Down
- Little Bird (What I Do)
- Servant, Job
- Soldier of Misfortune
- Something in Blue
- Scarecrow Man
- Why So Blue?
- Mister Stay at Home
- Roll This Stone
- No Trace
- Sad Saturday Night
- Big Blue Hole
Strictly Country Records 2016
The first-ever official David Olney live concert DVD with bonus live CD. Filmed and recorded in December 2013 at De Oude Veiling in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. Includes interview and bonus acoustic tracks.
DVD 01. Upside Down 02. Wait Here for the Cops 03. Jerusalem Tomorrow 04. Women Across the River 05. Learning the Game 06. Lucky Star and Mister Moon 07. Soldier of Misfortune 08. Titanic 09. Dillinger 10. Hanging On the Old Barbed Wire / 1917 11. $20 Serenade 12. Stonewall 13. Little Sparrow 14. Sweet Poison
Interview 01. Calling & Musical Influences 02. Performing & Nashville 03. Storytelling & Writing 04. Evolution, Co-writing & What’s Next
Bonus Acoustic Tracks (DVD only) 01. Illegal Cargo 02. Little Bird (What I Do) 03. Brays 04. Something in Blue
CD 01. Upside Down 02. Wait here for the Cops 03. Jerusalem Tomorrow 04. Women Across the River 05. Learning the Game 06. Lucky Star and Mister Moon 07. Soldier of Misfortune 08. Titanic 09. Dillinger 10. Hanging On the Old Barbed Wire / 1917 11. $20 Serenade 12. Stonewall 13. Little Sparrow 14. Sweet Poison
Bonus Tracks (CD only) 15. No Trace 16. If My Eyes Were Blind
If you were fortunate to catch any David Olney's live shows or have been watching his “You Never Know” video posts, you know David shared concern about erecting walls and fear-based exclusion and how affects us as humans and as a society.
Several other musicians and poets with similar concerns banded together as THE LIBERTY CIRCUS (TLC) )to record an album and perform concerts with the proceeds benefiting the ACLU and other local groups who assist refugees and immigrants. The core of TLC is Malcolm Holcombe, RB Morris, David Olney, Alan Kaufman and Al Maginnes. David contributed a couple of acoustic songs to this recording (also on 2018's "This Side Or The Other").
Strictly Music 2014
Live In Holland
- Sweet Poison
- One Tough Town
- If I Were You
- Oh Yeah
- You Never Do/Postcard From Mexico
- I Only Have Eyes For You
- How A Fire Moves
- No Lies
- Mr. Vermeer
- Covington Girl
- Red Tail Hawk
- You Can Have Her
Rootsy.nu/Deadbeet Records 2013
Two CD Set CD 1 - "Predicting The Past CD 2 - A David Olney Retrospective 2000-2012
CD 1 contains 16 new recordings…”from the first riff on opener ‘Girl Up On a Hill’, Olney’s in vocally raucous rock ‘n’ roll mode.” ~ Arthur Wood, Maverick Magazine
Featuring Grammy-award winner Dennis Crouch, Fats Kaplin, Jen Gunderman, Paul Burch and Sergio Webb, amongst others.
CD 1 - "Predicting The Past" Produced By Paul Burch
- Girl Up On A Hill
- A Long Time Ago
- Jama Ball
- We’re All Innocent In Here
- Johnson City Blues
- Long Gone Daddy
- There Was A War
- You Never Do
- Smoke On Ice
- Look
- Walkin’ Blue
- Lampshades
- Things Fall Apart
- Red Guitar
- Cruel Symphony
- The Beginning And The End
CD 2 - A David Olney Retrospective 2000-2012
- Girl Up On A Hill
- A Long Time Ago
- Jama Ball
- We’re All Innocent In Here
- Johnson City Blues
- Long Gone Daddy
- There Was A War
- You Never Do
- Smoke On Ice
- Look
- Walkin’ Blue
- Lampshades
- Things Fall Apart
- Red Guitar
- Cruel Symphony
- The Beginning And The End
Deadbeet Records 2012
This is not a fair world we live in. Deceit, chicanery and backstabbing are as present as beauty and grace. But beauty and grace do exist along with bravery and honesty that makes life worth living. That’s what I believe. I hope these stories in song convey that belief. Peace – David Olney
Produced by Jack Irwin.
Three CD Box Set comprised of:
David Olney presents Film Noir 1. Frank Is Gone 2. Blue Moon Hotel 3. $20 Serenade 4. The Blues Don’t Care 5. Sunset On Sunset Boulevard
The Stone 1. Jerusalem Tomorrow 2. Brays 3. Brains 4. Flesh and Blood 5. Barabbas 6. A Soldier’s Report
Robbery & Murder 1. Go Down Dupree 2. Another Place, Another Time 3. The Banks of the River (Interlude 1) 4. Betty And Dupree 5. My Family Owns This Town 6. The Banks of the River (Interlude 2) 7. Gold Diamond Ring 8. The Banks of the River
Deadbeet Records 2012
Two Love Stories – The story of Betty and Dupree is told from three different angles coming to three different conclusions. But the core of the tale is the diamond ring. It is the key to the romantic negotiating between the two lovers. No ring, no love. The second tale is one of love and treachery, abandonment and murder. We get the story first from Delia’s lover. Next we hear from her husband, and finally, from Delia’s ghost. The course of true love never runs smooth.
Produced by Jack Irwin
- Go Down Dupree
- Another Place, Another Time
- The Banks of the River (Interlude 1)
- Betty And Dupree
- My Family Owns This Town
- The Banks of the River (Interlude 2)
- Gold Diamond Ring
- The Banks of the River
The Stone: CD
Deadbeet Records 2012
Something happened. Back there all those centuries ago. Something not easily believed or easily dismissed. Two thousand years of glory and horror, of love and hate, of beauty and violence have only made those long ago events more murky and more enigmatic. But nothing comes of nothing. Something happened. The Stone is an attempt to address those events. From varying points of view (a con man, a donkey, a murderer and a soldier), a story is told. A picture struggles to emerge. Nothing is proved. Nothing is denied.
Produced by Jack Irwin
- Jerusalem Tomorrow
- Brays
- Brains
- Flesh and Blood
- Barabbas
- A Soldier’s Report
Deadbeet Records 2011
“Questions remain. What went wrong? Who tipped off the heat? Where’s Frank? Beano says he’s in L.A. working as a private dick. Well, only a chump would trust anything that weasel Beano has to say. In the meantime, Gracie waits, convinced her Frank will come home. Wherever he is, he better watch his back…” Produced by Jack Irwin
- Frank Is Gone
- Blue Moon Hotel
- $20 Serenade
- The Blues Don’t Care
- Sunset On Sunset Boulevard
Deadbeat Records 2010
“There are, maybe, 20 interesting people in the world,” says legendary Folk-Blues performer / songwriter, published author & rising YouTube star DAVID OLNEY. And, they all seem to exist somewhere within his music. On his new DUTCHMAN’s CURVE (Deadbeet Records, April 13, 2010) album, David continues to cultivate his own Great American Songbook featuring his multi-dimensional character studies with unparalleled perspective.
That perspective finds David Olney writing songs and prose about the OTHER characters who encounter these ‘interesting people,’ giving us yet another view of the extraordinary to the mundane and why it all matters. From a master painter’s subject (Mister Vermeer), a master painter’s style (Red Tail Hawk) and a famous French singer (Little Sparrow) to a sweet train robbery (Covington Girl) and the largest train disaster in early American history (Train Wreck), Olney is inspired by and finds insight worth sharing about each of these people and events.
Produced by Jack Irwin
- Train Wreck
- Red Tail Hawk
- If I Were You
- Little Sparrow
- I’ve Got A Lot On My Mind
- Mister Vermeer
- Covington Girl
- Way Down Deep
- Hey Sha La La La
- Lucky Star And Mr Moon 11.You Never Know
- I Only Have Eyes For You
- The Moment I Tell You Goodbye
Deadbeet Records 2009
“A folksy charm embedded recording, which baseball fans will doubtlessly find engaging and enlightening.” - Maverick Magazine (UK)
Based on a play by Ben Jones (a/k/a Cooter on Dukes of Hazzard), “Ol’ Diz: A Musical Baseball Story” is about legendary Hall-of-Fame baseball pitcher Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean and his rollicking journey from barefoot cotton picker to national renown. The music was written by David Olney & John Hadley and features 11 Americana-themed songs about the play’s hero and America’s past time. This album is being offered in May 2009 for purchase as a David Olney Fan Exclusive CD (only 200 copies made) as well as a digital download on iTunes, Amazon and other online digital download retailers.
Video and previews of “Ol’ Diz” online: davidolney.blogspot.com
- You Can Call Me Diz
- Don’t Need Shoes
- Precious Memories To Alma Dean 4, Anybody Here Seen Elmer?
- The Cards Are Pitchin’ Dizzy Dean Today
- Heaven’s Game
- Brothers Dean
- The Gas House Gang
- True To My Pat
- Satch’s Six Basic Rules
- Hall Of Fame
Deadbeet Records 2008
Norm’s River Road House, the small listening room in West Nashville, TN, has become known for its electrifying music as well as killer live shows from regular performers David Olney & Sergio Webb. The boys are joined by percussionist-producer Jack Irwin on this FIRST-EVER self-released LIVE album recorded earlier this year. The NEW album – “Live At Norm’s River Road House, Volume 1″ – features the trio playing 76 minutes of soul-stunning music as never heard before, along with original artwork designed at Nashville, TN’s historic Hatch Show Print by Ms. Julie Sola.
- Intro/Whistle Blow
- Upside Down
- Wait Here For The Cops
- Sweet Poison
- Panama City
- Postcard From Mexico
- Intro of Band
- Titanic
- Oh Yeah
- One Tough Town
- Ukelele Waltz
- Who’s The Dummy Now?
- Sunset On Sunset Boulevard
- Snake Song
- Kubla Khan
- Lee’s Highway
- The Highway’s Coming
"One Tough Town" Red Parlor 2007
The album gets off to a ROLLICKING start with a pair of tracks INSPIRED by both musical personalities of Memphis’ legendary Sun Records: ‘Whistle Blow,’ a gritty blues number on which Olney blows harmonica through a Wurlitzer piano speaker, and ‘Sweet Poison,’ a FIERCE rockabilly number propelled by one time Johnny Cash sideman Dave Roe’s slap bass. From there the album takes a turn into an amalgamation of pre-World War II as Olney stitches together BLUES, HILLBILLY and NEW ORLEANS influences. The latter shines through on ‘Who’s the Dummy Now?’ a song in which a ventriloquist is taken to task by his disgruntled dummy. With Olney’s guitar and ukulele backed by tuba, clarinet, trombone, piano and banjo, the track sets the tone for the rest of the album, sounding all the world like a jazzy combo from the 1930s. Tracks such as ‘Oh Yeah (Dead Man’s Shoes),’ ‘Sweet Potato’ and the mysteriously loopy ‘Postcard From Mexico’ display the same type of aesthetic, relying on UNBRIDLED ENERGY and the ensemble’s SENSE OF ADVENTURE.” – Jim McGuinness, Kingsport (TN) Times News
- Whistle Blow
- Sweet Poison
- Who’s The Dummy Now?
- Little Mustang
- No Lies
- Oh Yeah (Dead Man’s Shoes)
- Snake Song
- Panama City
- Sweet Potato
- See How The Mighty Have Fallen
- One Tough Town
- Postcard From Mexico
- Rainbow’s End