Album Review: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III – 2 Classic Albums on 1 CD

Cherry Red [Release date: 13.01.23]

A musical family where each member is a successful, well known artist in their own right is very rare.

That’s the way it is with the Wainwrights… Loudon, daughters Martha and Lucy, son Rufus, and ex wife, Kate McGarrigle.

Father Loudon started the vinyl spinning in 1970 with a self titled solo album, (eventually released in CD form in 2006). It was the first of his 27 solo studio albums, the most recent, Lifetime Achievement, hit the shelves earlier this year.

Album I and Album II (1971), have now been bundled as a “2 Classic Albums on 1 CD” by Cherry Red.

Loudon Wainwright I

Wainwright has always been self admittedly interested in the “dynamics of the dysfunctional”. His songs reflect that, moreso in later albums, where much “hurting and healing” inside the family circle is chronicled.

The debut is a spare, acoustic affair, ranging from the the bittersweet ‘School Days’ to the darkly poetic ‘Hospital Lady’ to the whimsical ‘Central Square Song’.

Protest song, ‘Uptown’ carries an emotional weight that is exactly what is required for the story, and the sharply humorous ‘Glad To See You’ve Got Religion’ showed there was a lot more to him than observational acuity.

The album enlisted a sizeable fanbase and multiple invites to play live almost from the moment of release. ***

Loudon Wainwright II

Gaining in confidence (although that was something he never really lacked), Wainwright treated us to another album of songs recorded to the sparse accompaniment of an acoustic guitar – adding only a sprinkling of piano here and there.

His sardonic, occasionally cynical, sense of humour broke through big time on ‘Samson And The Warden’, and the much since covered ‘Motel Blues’.

The latter’s not so hilarious, life-on-the-road reflections struck a chord with many bands. Especially with Alex Chilton who covered it with Big Star in 1992. His solo version was released posthumously, in 2013.

Arguably, ‘Be Careful There’s a Baby in The House’ makes the most lasting impact. It led to further recognition of the artist in the UK, thanks to repeat plays by John Peel on his groundbreaking “Sounds Of The Seventies” Radio Show. It’s a noirish observation of parenthood and its consequent responsibilities, and will bring a knowing smile to the faces of mothers and fathers everywhere. ****

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)