History

Loudon Wainwright III

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 17, 1992)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000002US4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,023 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Folk > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Loudon Wainwright is arguably the John Updike of post-Dylan singer-songwriters, or at least the Richard Ford. Exposing the foibles of modern life beneath the finely-tuned microscope of his funny, scathing, confessional folk songs, this "Westchester County Delta blues" man has notched a long string of concise, devastating miniatures built from his own feckless pilgrimage. His puckish humor once made it easy to dismiss him as a classy clown (consider the early freak hit, "Dead Skunk"), but in middle age Wainwright's work has taken on unique power, culminating in this alternately funny and harrowing odyssey through his own past and present. Whether scanning the brave insanity of romance ("People in Love") or digging deeply into his own family history (which dominates the program), this is music with heart and bite, capable of making you smile or shiver at his naked meditations on parenthood, romance, and the long shadow of the past. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A jewel, December 10, 2004

By	Rick Tharp "the_rxrick" (Plattsburg, MO United States) - See all my reviews

"History" is a jewel lost in the vast wasteland of "popular" music, it is Wainwright's crowning achievement, showcasing the multiple facets of his songwriting genius.

Loudon shows off his brilliant sense of humour on the middle aged man's lament "Doctor". The painful regrets of that same mature man are beautifully expressed in "Hitting you". The nostalgic childhood memories of sisterly love found in "The Picture" will bring tears from the hardest heart. "Father and Son" eloquently describes a father's struggle with the "teenage vs middle-age war".

These are just a few highlights from this CD which is superb from beginning to end. This CD does indeed merit the title "History". and Loudon has lived up to the "New Bob Dylan" label that was stuck on him all those years ago. Every song on this CD is a winner, give it a listen, you will thank me later.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great Loudon Wainwright primer, March 30, 2003

By	F. Mercer "bibliophile" (Phoenix, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I accidentally discovered Loudon on NPR, half-heartedly sought any of CDs for about a year, and, happily, discovered this one at a book sale!! History quickly became one of my favorite CDs. The songs are alternately funny and poignant. They are catchy and well-written. My favorite is Picture, about a B&W photo of Loudon and his sister coloring outside--it is a beautiful snapshot of siblings, shared history, nostalgia, and loss. Doctor is a hilarious journey with a middle aged man through the rigamarole that accompanies doctor's appointments--my fav line, "it's all in your head and spreading on down to your toes." I highly recommend this CD to anyone with interest in personal folk music. A lot less angry than Ani DiFranco, but no less biting.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars " History ", Louden Wainwright III, February 7, 2001

By	Steve (Southern California) - See all my reviews

WOW! This collection is the best by a singer/songwriter I have ever heard. From the raucous opening, "People In Love",to the gentle paranoia of,"When I'm At Your House",he covers a lot of styles and subjects.I was laughing out loud and choking back tears,sometimes during a single cut.His ability as a vocalist was the biggest surprise of all. No use trying to describe any more of this album.Listen to it.You won't be disappointed.