The musical career of Lonnie Holley (b. 1950) got off to a particularly late start. The beginning of his life was marked by poverty and crime. In 1979 - after carving two headstones for two nieces who died young - he rolled into the visual arts. His paintings, sculptures and other objects were exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Folk Art Museum and the White House, among
… others. It wasn't until 2006 when Holley first became professionally active as a musician. His vocals occupy the middle ground between singing and reciting, and he does so with the intensity of an inspired preacher. In his lyrics he shuns neither big nor small topics, personal stories nor general wisdom. Accompanied by appropriate psychedelic sounds, the attention is naturally drawn to his voice. On Oh Me Oh My, he is also joined by some big names: Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Sharon van Etten and Jeff Parker are just a few of the well-known artists who make an appearance on this intense album. (JV)more
