LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
''HAVEN'T GOT THE BLUES (YET)''
JULY 28 2014
48:07
1 - Brand New Dance 3:34
2 - Spaced 3:53
3 - In A Hurry 5:16
4 - Depression Blues 3:47
5 - The Morgue 1:53
6 - Harmless
Michael Marra 3:35
7 - Man & Dog 3:54
8 - Harlan County 3:02
9 - I Knew Your Mother 2:52
10 - Looking At The Calendar 3:13
11 - I'll Be Killing You This Christmas 3:32
12 - God & Nature 3:28
13 - Haven't Got The Blues (Yet) 3:24
14 - Last Day Of The Year 2:21
Tracks By Wainwright, Except 6
Steve Bernstein /Trumpet
Andy Burton /Accordion, Piano
Jeffrey Carney /Bass (Upright)
Steve Elson /Sax (Tenor)
Dom Flemons /Harmonica, Jug
Curtis Fowlkes /Trombone
Stan Harrison /Sax (Baritone)
Armand Hirsch /Guitar
Will Holshouser /Accordion
Tim Luntzel /Bass, Bass (Upright)
David Mansfield /Banjo, Bouzouki, Celeste, Drums, Drums (Bass), Fiddle, Fretless Banjo, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Harmonium, Horn Arrangements, Mandocello, Mandolin, Pedal Steel Guitar, Percussion,
Programming, Sitar (Electric), Sleigh Bells, Spoons, String Arrangements, String Section, Tambourine, Tenor Ukelele, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Vocal Harmony, Weissenborn
Sammy Merendino /Drums
Aoife O'Donovan /Vocal Harmony
Glenn Patscha /Organ
Marcus Rojas /Tuba
Joe Strasser /Drums
Chaim Tannenbaum /Harmonica, Vocal Harmony
Andy Taub /Jew's-Harp
Tony Trischka /Banjo
Loudon Wainwright III /Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocal Harmony, Vocals
Martha Wainwright /Vocals (Background)
Doug Wieselman /Clarinet
REVIEW
by Thom Jurek
Twenty-six albums in, Loudon Wainwright's signature is etched even more deeply into the American songsmith grain on Haven't Got the Blues (Yet). Voiced in blues, roots, rock, country, folk, and even swing-jazz, his funny, biting, often tender observations of the four D's -- decay, death, depression, and drinking -- are all present, as are his dog Harry's unwelcome gifts, love in old age, and subjects that, as usual, engage questionable taste. Working once more with producer and longtime musical cohort David Mansfield and a wide array of musicians including horn and wind players, daughter Lucy Wainwright and the ubiquitous Aiofe O'Donovan also appear on backing vocals. The vintage '50s-style rock & roll of "Brand New Dance" kicks the set off: "There's a new dance craze sweeping the land/First you get outta bed then you attempt to stand...Now here's the hard part, here's the bad news/You got to bend over and put on your shoes..." "Spaced," a klezmer tune about alternate side-street parking, features a fine clarinet solo by Doug Wieselman and accordion by Andy Burton. "In a Hurry" is one of those great, empathic Wainwright songs. Played by a trio with Mansfield and Burton, its speaking subject is a pauper who addresses a businessman in a train station. He expresses his sympathy and lets him know he wouldn't trade worlds -- or troubles -- with him. Blues makes its presence known in "Depression Blues" (the back cover photograph of "Freud Lemon Jefferson" illustrates the song's subject; it's so hilarious it needs to be witnessed). Western Swing frames "The Morgue," a black-humored last laugh from a broken heart. Country and folk inhabit the center of the album on three excellent tunes -- "Harmless" (written by the late songwriter Michael Marra), "Man & Dog," and "Harlan County." "I Knew Your Mother" is a birthday song -- presumably for Lucy, who sings backup -- and is refreshingly honest about his relationship with his late ex-wife Kate McGarrigle. "I'll Be Killing You This Christmas" is a lithe swing tune with a deeply critical view of the NRA's propaganda war following the Newtown shootings. O'Donovan and bajo master Tony Trischka aid on the bluesy, beautifully written country-gospel in "God & Man." The set winds down with the droll jazz-blues of the title track -- which names the cover photograph's subject, sad clown Emmett Kelly. Finally, "Last Day of the Year" is an old-world saloon song. It's poignant in summoning the autumnal subjects of earlier tracks on HGTB(Y), and suggests that Wainwright accepts, with grudging respect, the aging process and what it entails, but he's still looking forward to new beginnings, however bittersweet.
BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Loudon Wainwright III grew up in the town of Bedford in wealthy Westchester County north of New York City, the son of Loudon S. Wainwright, Jr., a writer and editor at Life magazine and a direct descendant of colonial governor Peter Stuyvesant. Wainwright became a folk singer/songwriter in the late '60s, singing humorous and nakedly honest autobiographical songs. Signed to Atlantic Records, he recorded Album I (1970) and Album II (1971), accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, before switching to Columbia Records, for which he made the folk-rock Album III (1972), which featured the Top 40 novelty hit "Dead Skunk." Attempted Mustache (1973) and the half-live Unrequited (1975) did not continue that commercial success, though Wainwright's humor and engaging stage persona made him a cult figure and a concert favorite.
Meanwhile, his songs were recorded by others, notably Kate (his wife, later divorced, who died in 2010) and Anna McGarrigle, and Wainwright appeared in the off-Broadway show Pump Boys and Dinettes and played a featured role on the successful M*A*S*H television series. He moved to Arista Records for T Shirt (1976) and Final Exam (1978), on which he was backed by a rock band, but departed the major labels for a more appropriate home on the folk-based indie Rounder for A Live One (1980) and Fame and Wealth (1983).
Wainwright began to gain more notice in England than in the U.S., and he moved to London in 1985. I'm Alright (1985) and More Love Songs (1986) were co-produced by British singer/guitarist Richard Thompson. Therapy (1989) found Wainwright on the major-label-distributed Silvertone imprint and back living in the U.S., and he signed to Virgin Records' Charisma subsidiary for History (1992) and the live Career Moves (1993). Grown Man, his 15th album, was released in 1995, followed three years later by Little Ship. In 1999, there appeared a collection of topical, humorous songs Wainwright had been composing since the late '80s for National Public Radio, titled Social Studies; the following year, The BBC Sessions collected favorites and new compositions. The Last Man on Earth followed in 2001, and the live album So Damn Happy marked his debut for Sanctuary in 2003. Another studio album, Here Come the Choppers, was released in 2005. It was followed by Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up in 2007 and by Recovery in 2008.
In 2011, Shout! Factory issued a major career retrospective: a five-disc box set entitled 40 Odd Years that included album tracks, a complete CD of rare and unreleased material, and a 200-plus-minute DVD that included an hourlong documentary as well as dozens of performances. In 2009, Wainwright released High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project. The set featured songs by the American folk and country icon, as well as new songs that helped move his odd legend forward. Older Than My Old Man Now appeared in 2012, a collection of 15 songs featuring contributions from all four of Wainwright's children and two of his three wives, and including a song co-written with late ex-wife, Kate McGarrigle. In September of 2014, Wainwright released Haven't Got the Blues (Yet). It was produced by David Mansfield and issued on 429 Records.
''HAVEN'T GOT THE BLUES (YET)''
JULY 28 2014
48:07
1 - Brand New Dance 3:34
2 - Spaced 3:53
3 - In A Hurry 5:16
4 - Depression Blues 3:47
5 - The Morgue 1:53
6 - Harmless
Michael Marra 3:35
7 - Man & Dog 3:54
8 - Harlan County 3:02
9 - I Knew Your Mother 2:52
10 - Looking At The Calendar 3:13
11 - I'll Be Killing You This Christmas 3:32
12 - God & Nature 3:28
13 - Haven't Got The Blues (Yet) 3:24
14 - Last Day Of The Year 2:21
Tracks By Wainwright, Except 6
Steve Bernstein /Trumpet
Andy Burton /Accordion, Piano
Jeffrey Carney /Bass (Upright)
Steve Elson /Sax (Tenor)
Dom Flemons /Harmonica, Jug
Curtis Fowlkes /Trombone
Stan Harrison /Sax (Baritone)
Armand Hirsch /Guitar
Will Holshouser /Accordion
Tim Luntzel /Bass, Bass (Upright)
David Mansfield /Banjo, Bouzouki, Celeste, Drums, Drums (Bass), Fiddle, Fretless Banjo, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Harmonium, Horn Arrangements, Mandocello, Mandolin, Pedal Steel Guitar, Percussion,
Programming, Sitar (Electric), Sleigh Bells, Spoons, String Arrangements, String Section, Tambourine, Tenor Ukelele, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Vocal Harmony, Weissenborn
Sammy Merendino /Drums
Aoife O'Donovan /Vocal Harmony
Glenn Patscha /Organ
Marcus Rojas /Tuba
Joe Strasser /Drums
Chaim Tannenbaum /Harmonica, Vocal Harmony
Andy Taub /Jew's-Harp
Tony Trischka /Banjo
Loudon Wainwright III /Banjo, Guitar (Acoustic), Vocal Harmony, Vocals
Martha Wainwright /Vocals (Background)
Doug Wieselman /Clarinet
REVIEW
by Thom Jurek
Twenty-six albums in, Loudon Wainwright's signature is etched even more deeply into the American songsmith grain on Haven't Got the Blues (Yet). Voiced in blues, roots, rock, country, folk, and even swing-jazz, his funny, biting, often tender observations of the four D's -- decay, death, depression, and drinking -- are all present, as are his dog Harry's unwelcome gifts, love in old age, and subjects that, as usual, engage questionable taste. Working once more with producer and longtime musical cohort David Mansfield and a wide array of musicians including horn and wind players, daughter Lucy Wainwright and the ubiquitous Aiofe O'Donovan also appear on backing vocals. The vintage '50s-style rock & roll of "Brand New Dance" kicks the set off: "There's a new dance craze sweeping the land/First you get outta bed then you attempt to stand...Now here's the hard part, here's the bad news/You got to bend over and put on your shoes..." "Spaced," a klezmer tune about alternate side-street parking, features a fine clarinet solo by Doug Wieselman and accordion by Andy Burton. "In a Hurry" is one of those great, empathic Wainwright songs. Played by a trio with Mansfield and Burton, its speaking subject is a pauper who addresses a businessman in a train station. He expresses his sympathy and lets him know he wouldn't trade worlds -- or troubles -- with him. Blues makes its presence known in "Depression Blues" (the back cover photograph of "Freud Lemon Jefferson" illustrates the song's subject; it's so hilarious it needs to be witnessed). Western Swing frames "The Morgue," a black-humored last laugh from a broken heart. Country and folk inhabit the center of the album on three excellent tunes -- "Harmless" (written by the late songwriter Michael Marra), "Man & Dog," and "Harlan County." "I Knew Your Mother" is a birthday song -- presumably for Lucy, who sings backup -- and is refreshingly honest about his relationship with his late ex-wife Kate McGarrigle. "I'll Be Killing You This Christmas" is a lithe swing tune with a deeply critical view of the NRA's propaganda war following the Newtown shootings. O'Donovan and bajo master Tony Trischka aid on the bluesy, beautifully written country-gospel in "God & Man." The set winds down with the droll jazz-blues of the title track -- which names the cover photograph's subject, sad clown Emmett Kelly. Finally, "Last Day of the Year" is an old-world saloon song. It's poignant in summoning the autumnal subjects of earlier tracks on HGTB(Y), and suggests that Wainwright accepts, with grudging respect, the aging process and what it entails, but he's still looking forward to new beginnings, however bittersweet.
BIOGRAPHY
by William Ruhlmann
Loudon Wainwright III grew up in the town of Bedford in wealthy Westchester County north of New York City, the son of Loudon S. Wainwright, Jr., a writer and editor at Life magazine and a direct descendant of colonial governor Peter Stuyvesant. Wainwright became a folk singer/songwriter in the late '60s, singing humorous and nakedly honest autobiographical songs. Signed to Atlantic Records, he recorded Album I (1970) and Album II (1971), accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, before switching to Columbia Records, for which he made the folk-rock Album III (1972), which featured the Top 40 novelty hit "Dead Skunk." Attempted Mustache (1973) and the half-live Unrequited (1975) did not continue that commercial success, though Wainwright's humor and engaging stage persona made him a cult figure and a concert favorite.
Meanwhile, his songs were recorded by others, notably Kate (his wife, later divorced, who died in 2010) and Anna McGarrigle, and Wainwright appeared in the off-Broadway show Pump Boys and Dinettes and played a featured role on the successful M*A*S*H television series. He moved to Arista Records for T Shirt (1976) and Final Exam (1978), on which he was backed by a rock band, but departed the major labels for a more appropriate home on the folk-based indie Rounder for A Live One (1980) and Fame and Wealth (1983).
Wainwright began to gain more notice in England than in the U.S., and he moved to London in 1985. I'm Alright (1985) and More Love Songs (1986) were co-produced by British singer/guitarist Richard Thompson. Therapy (1989) found Wainwright on the major-label-distributed Silvertone imprint and back living in the U.S., and he signed to Virgin Records' Charisma subsidiary for History (1992) and the live Career Moves (1993). Grown Man, his 15th album, was released in 1995, followed three years later by Little Ship. In 1999, there appeared a collection of topical, humorous songs Wainwright had been composing since the late '80s for National Public Radio, titled Social Studies; the following year, The BBC Sessions collected favorites and new compositions. The Last Man on Earth followed in 2001, and the live album So Damn Happy marked his debut for Sanctuary in 2003. Another studio album, Here Come the Choppers, was released in 2005. It was followed by Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up in 2007 and by Recovery in 2008.
In 2011, Shout! Factory issued a major career retrospective: a five-disc box set entitled 40 Odd Years that included album tracks, a complete CD of rare and unreleased material, and a 200-plus-minute DVD that included an hourlong documentary as well as dozens of performances. In 2009, Wainwright released High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project. The set featured songs by the American folk and country icon, as well as new songs that helped move his odd legend forward. Older Than My Old Man Now appeared in 2012, a collection of 15 songs featuring contributions from all four of Wainwright's children and two of his three wives, and including a song co-written with late ex-wife, Kate McGarrigle. In September of 2014, Wainwright released Haven't Got the Blues (Yet). It was produced by David Mansfield and issued on 429 Records.
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