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High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project

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Charlie Poole was an American banjo player. He was part of a string band that recorded in the 20's and 30's. He is revered by many folk and rock stars,and one of them is Loudon Wainwright, III. Charlie Poole's band "The Ramblers', was "a bluesy fiddle lead, backed up by long, flowing, melodic guitar runs and the finger-style banjo picking of Poole. Predictable as it may be, it was nonetheless outstanding. No string band in early country music equalled the Ramblers' controlled, clean, well-patterned sound." He played mostly cover songs, but he wrote many songs, words and music. Charlie Poole left a legacy that many remember, and Loudon Wainwright III has honored him by singing many of his songs.

This CD 'High Wide and Handsome:The Charlie Poole Project', has 2 discs with 30 songs of magnificent proportion. Many of the tunes are written by Charlie Poole, but Loudon has inserted several of his own songs. Wainwright's children, Rufus and Martha, join in on several tunes to make this a CD that you want to listen to over and over again. Charlie Poole was from North Carolina, and he always wanted to leave this world 'High Wide and Handsome'. That is an old southern expression that you called someone of wealth and importance.

Some of these tunes make no sense at all' I'm The Man Who Rode The Mule Around The World' is one that many have tried to understand and finally left alone. 'My Mother and My Sweetheart' is a tune that memorializes two women that are loved by a man, such sweet and lovely lyrics. 'Goodbye Booze' seems to be a favorite of all. Charlie Poole was a boozer and after a thirteen week drunk he died at the age of 38. The sentimental 'Mother's Farewell Kiss' is one of those songs where you sing along. 'Where the Whippoorwill Is Whispering Goodnight' is one of the old time tunes that brings back the times of Charlie Poole. 'The Man In The Moon'-is sung by Martha Wainwright and is about anyman, but seems too fit Charlie Poole. 'Moving Day' a song of non-payment for a flat seems to be full of Poole's life. This tune was the first song of Poole's that Wainwright heard, and he felt an instant karma. 'Old and Only In The Way' is a popular title of songs and is a song of the times in the 20's and 30's. 'Sweet Sunny South' has the old time banjo sound of Poole, written about his hometown. 'Rowena' is a song of Loudon Wainwright's mother, and dedicated to her.. 'Ramblin's Blues' gives Charlie Poole's band, 'The Ramblers' a first class ride. 'Charlie's Last Song'- a tribute to Charlie Poole. And, the CD finishes with a reprise of 'High, Wide and Handsome'-that's how I like livin' he said.

This is CD that reveres the memory of Charlie Poole, his truth, honesty and humor are there for all to see. Loudon Wainwright, III sings and plays his part. As the 'Rolling Stone' said, "Loudon Wainwright III, sings clever harmonies to songs about marriage, booze and rabble-rousing. Dude seems to know this subject matter very well!"

Highly Recommended. prisrob 08-19-09

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Loudon Wainwright III
"High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project"
(Second Story, 2009)
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This 2-CD set is a bold, brilliant tribute to Charlie Poole, one of the early old-timey country music superstars of the Great Depression, with singer-satirist Loudon Wainwright III taking a surprising, refreshing foray into earnest, straightforward traditional folk music.

Charlie Poole was a notorious ne'er-do-well, a hard-drinking musical prodigy from a small town in North Carolina who became a star in the 1920s. Like many artists of the era, he was poorly paid for his work, and while his records sold well, he found it hard to make ends meet. Poole was an accomplished musician, one of the best clawhammer banjo players of his time, and a sly, humorous singer. Eventually, the hard-living performer drank himself to death in 1931, as the economy collapsed and record sales fell flat -- Wainwright explores this mixed legacy, both the glory and the pathos, crafting a remarkable portrait that pierces the veil of time to present Poole as a three-dimensional person -- playful, boisterous, flawed and charismatic.

Wainwright bookends cover versions of old classics with new compositions that illuminate Poole's life. The first is the title track, "High Wide & Handsome," a masterpiece of bragadoccio that paints the singer as a lusty, vibrant scoundrel, a charming, charismatic braggart and lover of the good life -- in short, a rock star. Other Wainwright originals include "Way Up In New York City," which tells the tale of Poole going to the big city to record his first big hit, "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down Blues," a single on Columbia that sold over a 100,000 copies in 1925 -- Poole and his trio got paid seventy-five bucks, a pat on the back and a train ride home. Nonetheless, he went on to be an immensely popular performer with the wide palette of a classic vaudeville entertainer. Here, Wainwright moves deftly through Poole's repertoire of ribald comedy songs (such as "Moving Day," "If I Lose" and "I'm The Man Who Rode The Mule Around The World") as well as sweet, lachrymose, shamelessly sentimental weepers such as "The Letter That Never Came," "Old And Only In The Way," "Mother's Last Farewell Kiss," and the gorgeous "My Mother And My Sweetheart." In a similar vein are several religious songs that Poole is reported to have performed regularly, but not recorded, and these are performed by Wainwright and his crew with stunning sincerity and emotional depth.

Joining LW3 are co-producer Dick Connette, Wainwright's wife, Suzzy Roche, their daughter Lucy, and Lucy's immensely talented aunts (aka the Roches) as well as Loudon's own sibling, Sloane Wainwright and others in their orbit. Suzzy Roche delivers a grand slam on the weary waltz that opens Disc Two, "Man In The Moon," in which the character of Poole's wife laments married life with a irredeemable rambling man -- for me, this is the song which cements the biographical-literary elements of this album, with its haunting melody and a beautiful performance by Roche. And then there's Loudon: a wry, sarcastic performer, he taps directly into the humorous elements of Poole's work, and brings them into a modern framework... Leaving behind the raspy, antique sound of Poole's old recordings, Wainwright lets modern listeners tap directly into the humor of the songs, without hearing them as mere museum pieces. He also shows a not-too-surprising ability to connect with the sentimentality of the old-style weepers, and the passionate, otherworldly yearnings of the gospel tunes.

In short, this collection in a real knockout: look for Loudon up on the platform when they're announcing the Grammys this year. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To Country Music)

I was a little dubious purchasing this, not being a fan of early country music or early Americana. It seemed all rather Grandma Moses to me, but I am a big Loudon Wainwright fan, so I thought "what the heck." Wow, was I pleasantly surprised! There's something for everyone who enjoys traditional acoustic music at all. It's chock full of songs serious, sardonic, sentimental, spiritual. It features guest appearances from a plethora of Wainwrights, Roches, and acoustic musicians such as Geoff Muldaur, David Mansfield, Chris Thile, Erik Friedlander, Rob Moose, etc. Not all the songs are to my taste, so that's why I docked it one star, but I'm sure glad I bought it!

I saw Loudon several months ago live in concert in Asheville, NC where spoke about at length and sang a few songs from the upcoming Charlie Poole concept album. He spoke of Charlie's life and how the project came together. At the time I found it odd that Loudon would attempt such a project about a 1920's bluegrass musician. The songs made little impression on me at the time and I quickly forgot about it. But when I saw the announcement the other day in Rolling Stone of the release of this 2 CD set set, and the first rate album art, I immediately got a strong gut feeling that this was going to be something magical. That my friends was an understatement!! In a nutshell, this CD is pure genius! I can't express in words how much I like this CD! Brillantly conceived and executed right down to the choice of studio musicians, album art, and liner notes, Loudon really belts one out of the park! I just hope that enough people hear it and can appreciate the gargantuan effort to put this tremendous project together. (check out the documentary on the making of this CD on YouTube) I have been a huge fan of Loudon since Album I and throughout his history his releases have oftentimes been uneven. However, If you have ever seen him in concert you know that his performances are always first rate and his showmansip is second to none. With this CD however, Loudon has clearly outdone himself. Everything here is firing on all pistons. The band and guest musicians just add the right flavor on every track. No overproduction here. If you like old time bluegrass or gospel music, or are just a fan of Loudon's music, I think there is something here for everyone. This CD gets 5 solid stars! My favorite tracks are "Didn't He Ramble", "Beautiful" and the title track "High Wide and Handsome" which also has a beautiful reprise at the end. Also an old time gospel number, "The Great Reaping Day" which literally brought tears to my eyes. The paltry $15. I spent for this brillant CD set will give me hours and hours of listening pleasure.

Everything that's wonderful about Charlie Poole's music, the scratchy evocation of its era, the flat, ironic tone, the subtlety of its humor, is replaced here by a heartfelt, over-the-top obviousness one associates with children's performers and Don Maclean. This clearly well-intentioned project recalls nothing more than the hyper-sincere renditions of thirties folk songs by people like Pete Seeger, whose upbeat enthusiasm transport the works from hobo jungles to liberal summer camps. If you like uplifting contemporary folk music, delivered in a way meant to inspire live audiences of a certain age, you'll likely enjoy the happy, well-played music here. If you want to inhabit the slightly surreal world evoked by the recordings of the 1920s, and relish the dark mystery of those old records, this set is sure to disappoint.

The songs on here (aside from the new ones, which are pretty damn good in and of themselves) are pieces of musical history--call it americana, call it folk, call it bluegrass or country or whathaveyou: these are little snippets of musical integrity, of craftmanship, arranged and performed by Loudon Wainwright III, who has proven himself to be one of the more interesting folk singers of the past few decades.

This album is necessary listening for two reasons: 1, Wainwright's delivery of these musical gems, ranging from homages to mother, gospel numbers, dirty little drinking songs, rambling laments, and blues/folk lyrical poetry; and 2, it serves as an introduction to the music of Charlie Poole, or a reminder of his legacy. Whether you're familiar with these songs, or you're approaching them for the first time, HIGH WIDE & HANDSOME is an outstanding collection that should not--I repeat NOT--be missed.

Playful, funny, beautiful harmonies, great voices, wonderful instrumentation... so many adjectives to describe the music in this CD. Reminds me of the South, simpler times & my Mississipi forebears. My favorite songs are: "Rowena", "Beautiful" and "The Man in The Moon".

It was 1976. I had a ticket to a Santana concert at USF Tampa, a show LW3 was to open, but he canceled due to the birth of daughter Martha. Caught his act at the 1984 Edinburgh Festival where he revealed a finer skill & flair than "Dead Skunk" might presume. Poole's tunes fit the LW3 style of cool folk and self-deprecating wit.

I have traveled with Loudon Wainwright III since 1969 when he started singing about his students days, his love of hockey, his adventures in love, then his marriage, his d-i-v-o-r-c-e, and his life's insights!

Loudon is a remarkable genius and a true musical gem who sadly has been overlooked way too long. BUT NOT ANYMORE! His unique style has finally found a partner from the past to highlight two great musicians.

The Charlie Poole Project is everything one could wish for in music entertainment. Poetry, muse, history, prose and songs can be found in this offering. If you take this trip with Loudon as he explores the life of Charlie Poole you will find many treasures.

Personally I thank Loudon for making his music in honoring the past and I look forward to him for more MUSIC in the future!

I never really liked Loudon Wainwright, never gave him a chance because he wrote Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road. That song was catchy and funny, but I wrote him off as a sort-of Roger Miller type. Friends made CDs for me, but I hardly listened to any of them. The screen now shows clock hands spinning around to denote the passing of time. About a month ago I heard Wainwright on the radio, probably on Robbie Ossman's Sunday music show, Across the Great Divide, on KPFA in Berkeley. I was instantly captivated. He played one very sad song about a young man waiting his whole life for a letter from his childhood sweetheart which never came. He also played The Man Who Rode A Mule Around The World, a weirdly funny song that has nothing at all to do with riding a mule around the world. It contains the line (which I remembered my father used to sing in another song) "I saw Peter, Paul and Moses playing ring around the roses snd I'll whup the man who says it isn't so." Some songs are mournful, songs about deaths and mother and lost loves. Some songs are very funny.

The banjo was Poole's forte, and the player on this CD is amazing, moving from rag-timey to mournful to sprightly with ease. It brought back memories of Jim Kweskin and Maria and Jeff Muldaur of the old jug band as well as the Memphis Jug Band (Stealin').

The whole Wainwright clan (and they are numerous and talented - McGarrigles and Roches, too) joins in on lots of songs.

To steal a line from Seinfeld..."You gotta hear the WAINWRIGHT!" I'm making up for all the years I dissed him by listening to his songs almost non-stop for the past 2 weeks. You NEED this CD.