Grown Man [IMPORT]

Loudon Wainwright III

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 1995)
• Original Release Date: January 9, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Virgin Int'l
• ASIN: B000000W9O
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,720 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redefines "Great"., May 26, 2002

By	Blake Watson "===Blake===" (Winnetka, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are NO bad tracks on this album. Not one. This is a self-assured mixture of polished, varied music which should be required listening, particularly for any bachelors in their mid-40s.

The titular "Grown Man" is dating, a practice meant for much younger and less cynical people. His age shows in tracks like the a capella Vegas-lounge-style "The Birthday Present", and the crochety "Cobwebs", while the bluesy "That Hospital" and the beautifully melodic "Dreaming" point out his awareness of (and obsession with?) death.

And you might not want to date him. He gets a bit paranoid when left at home to do the "Housework", he'll question your orientation then mock your grammar ("IWIAL"--"I Wish I Was A Lesbian"), he's not really sure if he believes in love ("I Suppose"), and he'll drag out a relationship longer than it ought to go ("The End Has Begun").

Erm, you sure don't want him as a dad ("A Year", "Father-Daughter Dialogue"), except that if you're his daughter and you have a =very= beautiful voice, he might put you on his album. (Martha Wainwright's contributions to this album are guaranteed to melt the listener.)

I reiterate: there are no bad tracks here. Even Loudon's sometimes-seemingly-obligatory self-loathing reference to his father in "Just A John" is particularly insightful.

Apart from the personal material, there are two "current event" tracks. "1994" is a reggae ode to genetic engineering which asks the pertinent question: If we are just "genetic goop", are we really responsible for =anything= we are or do?

"The Human Cannonball" is the obituary for an actual human cannonbal (Emmanuel Zachini, Sr.) set to music. It's one of those classic, simple tunes and simple stories that Loudon puts together that speaks to the human race.

And lastly, charmingly, there's his cover of "Treasure Untold", complete with yodelling. As steeped as the album is in LW3's world-weary view of love and relationships, this was an inspired choice for last track, being a straight-forward by-the-books love song.

Indispensible.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Man, what a record!, May 27, 2000

By	Flipper Campbell (Miami Florida) - See all my reviews

No offense to the hardy band of Loudon Wainwright III fans, but his creating this stunning album seems about as likely as Herman's Hermits coming up with "Rubber Soul." "Grown Man" offers an emotional rollercoaster ride that pays off at every turn. The many exceptional songs include "Grown Man" (a country hit for someone smart enough to cop it); "Father/Daughter Dialogue" (with real-life daughter Martha getting in her licks); the hilarious "IWIWAL"; and "The End Has Begun." Life's rich pageant, from a man who has been there.

5.0 out of 5 stars great, July 30, 1998

By A Customer

A terrific album, just great. This is one brave (as well as talented) guy. Good at both laughter and tears.