Rufus Wainwright

Loudon Wainwright III, "High Wide & Handsome — The Charlie Poole Project" (2nd Story Sound Records) Charlie Poole was a rambling, roguish, alcoholic, illiterate, banjo-playing hitmaker born in a North Carolina town that no longer exists. He became a star in the early days of the record business, then died following one last booze binge at age 39 in 1931. Loudon Wainwright III explores Poole's rich legacy in this 30-track, two-CD set. It includes tunes from Poole's repertoire and new material inspired by him, and because the music's filled with humor and colorful characters, it's right in Wainwright's wheelhouse. He sings about trains and ... Read Full Story

...Is precisely the question I asked myself this morning on the drive to work after the iPod randomly shuffled on to his song, Going To A Town. And then I wondered if he was thinking about me, a perfect stranger, at the very same moment, too. Like, over his morning coffee, while adjusting his lederhosen . Anyway, as I suspected, because he is such a rabblerouser, not only has the honeyvoiced singer jumped into the gay marriage debate, siding with Elton John (and then correcting himself!)... he was also just recently on the Martha Stewart show! Worlds colliding! Here are the two clips for ... Read Full Story

What was going down on this stage tonight at The Highline Ballroom, was just amazing. Even with all the fashion week events going on in NYC, this was the place to be. There were the Wainwrights, the Roches, and the Roches-Wainwrights all on stage together. All in support of Loudon's new album. You can thank the dead Charlie Poole for this one! Loudon released a new double disc album not too long ago named "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project," See pool old Charlie drank himself to death at the age of 39 (Ephman's age actually). Went on a 3 month binger. ... Read Full Story

September 19, 2009 by Frank Gannon | Filed Under Weekly Weekend Reward   This weekend’s Reward is two Charlie Poole songs — “White House Blues” and “He Rambled”— one by the master, and one by a devotee who has mastered the oeuvre and even successfully supplemented it. The Wainwright family, and all its various roots and branches , has been responsible for some of the best American popular and folk music of the last half century. Now the patriarch —Loudon Wainwright III— has produced a 2-CD retrospective-hommage masterpiece: High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project. “A crazier version of Jimmie Rogers”: Charlie Poole ... Read Full Story

HOLIDAY EVENT MUSTS This is the first of our holiday musts, and it is definitely one of the best. On Wednesday, December 10th you must check out "The McGarrigle Christmas Hour featuring Rufus and Martha Wainwright" at Carnegie Hall! It's going to be one of the best productions of the holiday season. If you just aren't feeling in the holiday spirit yet, this show will definitely bring some Christmas joy to your season. And who doesn't love Rufus Wainwright?! The McGarrigle sisters and the Wainwrights will be joined by Jimmy Fallon, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, and Emmylou Harris. Get tickets online now, right here ... Read Full Story