Press

David Olney Is Still a CONTENDER. Can You Say The Same?
“It's not surprising that he would be recording Americana music before the term had even been devised.”

“In conversation, he tosses off literary references so naturally you wonder why more people don't do it. He has an enviable gruffness that sometimes comes out in his singing voice — especially when when he downshifts into a Waits-esque song-speak cadence.”
“Olney's songwriting is frequently dark and deep, much like [Tom] Waits' — bleakly funny, populated by a wide range of nighthawks and sojourners whose perspectives we're invited, often uneasily, to share. It's also much like Van Zandt's, whose most famous song, "Pancho and Lefty," ends in betrayal and death.”
“Olney draws deeply from classic poetry and literature in his songs.”

“Perhaps his greatest gift is for creating characters of literary complexity, whether the subject is a remorse-free millionaire who leaves a trail of death in his furious pursuit of wealth and power ("Millionaire") or a French prostitute who comforts a World War I soldier on three-day leave ("1917").”

“When the Deal Goes Down [is] another arresting assemblage of weighty themes and bold characters. The album is no sunset project; it's Olney at top form — the songwriting is stellar.”

FULL LINKED ARTICLE HERE:


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A Superb Set of Songs
“...a SUPERB SET of SONGS ... A work that BOASTS ONGOING INTRIGUE.”

“Be advised not to settle for a cursory listen; this is, after all, an effort that provides potential for repeated revelations each time out. It's a reflection of Olney's special pedigree that he's not only able to pull all these intriguing ideas together, but also make the melodies so memorable in the process.”

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Olney Is The REAL DEAL
“...There's a LIVED-IN AUTHENTICITY to his voice that is beyond so many of the young pretenders around these days. Beneath the gruff exterior lies a big heart capable of tenderness…”

“The striking photo on the back of the CD cover shows Olney staring at a skull, perhaps contemplating his mortality. Let's hope he sticks around awhile, as HE IS THE REAL DEAL.”

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Extraordinary Hybrid of Sounds and Styles
“A sturdy blend of elegant ballads, turgid deliberation and additional elements of blues, roots and even a bit of vaudeville, ‘When the Deal Goes Down’ is not only ONE OF ONLEY’S BEST OFFERINGS TO DATE — and that alone says a lot, considering a resume that stretches back some thirty years — but also AN EXTRAORDINARY HYBRID of SOUNDS and STYLES.”

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Well-Crafted and Thoughtful Music
“David Olney is an artist who has assembled an album of WELL-CRAFTED and THOUGHTFUL MUSIC. ‘When The Deal Goes Down’ is one of the better releases of his career as lyrically he moves in a number of directions. A WORTHY ALBUM from an artist who has dedicated his life to his craft.”

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Smartness and Sophistication: A Category Of Their Own
“Here's what's important: When the Deal Goes Down SETS THE BAR for this year in rooted songwriting. Be warned, all would-be competitors: it's a dauntingly high one.”
“... manifest SMARTNESS and SOPHISTICATION place [his songs] in a category of their own, taking worn themes and applying a new shine to them.”

“Olney boldly takes on the Big Subjects -- God, death, the fate of the soul, the supernatural, the experience of war -- and has the mature artist's ability to avoid missteps and to say things that will STICK IN YOUR HEAD and possibly even MAKE YOU WISER.”


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New Recordings: The best recent releases in Americana, classic country, and blues-
“David Olney doesn't get as much ink as Hiatt, but the 66-year-old Nashville troubadour has also been MAKING GRIPPING MUSIC FOR A LONG TIME. When the Deal Goes Down (Deadbeet ***1/2) is as fine a showcase as you'll find for his storytelling prowess and musical range. Olney ROCKS WITH BLISTERING INTENSITY on the title song and the swamp-tinged "Roll the Stone," BUT HE ALSO MESMERIZES with just acoustic guitar and tuba on "Sad Saturday Night."

“Like Randy Newman, Olney will come at subjects from odd angles and sing in character. ‘Servant, Job,’ set to swinging, horn-fueled R&B, is in the voice of God and Satan. It's BITINGLY SARDONIC, but Olney can also be TOUCHINGLY TENDER: ‘No Trace’ is an accordion-laced ballad that humanizes the immigrant experience.”

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Witty Humor and Dark Tragedy
"The Americana troubadour embraces witty humor and dark tragedy on his latest set of new songs."
( Oakland Press - Pontiac, MI )

Skill As A Crooner and Scat Singer
“David Olney maintains his HIGH STANDARDS of songwriting on When The Deal Goes Down, an exploration of American roots music styles. Olney adeptly portrays the struggle between good and evil while maintaining a sense of humor.”

“Olney shows his skill as a crooner and scat singer. ‘Mister Stay at Home’ is [a] throwback song, recorded in a jug-band style about searching for the heart of Saturday night. ‘Big Blue Hole’ is a folk-styled examination of the afterlife as Olney contemplates the passing of historical figures from Cleopatra to James Dean.”


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David Olney Strives to Outlast the Present
The Tennessean – Nashville, TN (7/6/14) by Peter Cooper
David Olney strives to outlast the present
http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/peter-cooper/2014/07/03/david-olney-strives-outlast-present/12112225/


Master Storyteller David Olney Stacks the Deck on New Studio Album...
Master Storyteller David Olney Stacks the Deck on New Studio Album, When the Deal Goes Down, Coming July 8 on Deadbeet Records

Singer/Songwriter Will Celebrate New Disc with Grimey’s Too/Howlin’ Books In-Store on July 8 and Special CD Release Show on July 9 at The End in Nashville

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