Recovery

Loudon Wainwright III | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• ASIN: B001B0IPJG
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,936 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

For nearly forty years Loudon Wainwright III has been one of America's most cherished music icons. His legendary wit and satirical genius have expanded his cultural reach from troubadour to silver screen regular. With his new album ''Recovery'' he reaches back into the past and profoundly reclaims many of his most classic songs. Produced by Joe Henry, the project came about while the two were digging through some of Loudon's older albums. After listening, Loudon and Joe saw that the quality and breadth of the tunes were undiminished and decided to rework the songs with a team of studio heavyweights to add color to the previously spare material. On ''Recovery,'' classics like ''School Days,'' ''The Man Who Couldn't Cry'' and ''Motel Blues'' are fully flowered by veterans Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren, David Piltch and Jay Bellerose. A rare document of the changes nearly four decades can bring, ''Recovery'' reinterprets songs Loudon first composed and performed in his early twenties. The album follows Loudon's last release, ''Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up'' into one of the most unique catalogs in American music history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great look back --- with a twist, November 19, 2008

By 

Michigan Max (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Recovery (Audio CD)

The songs on the CD Recovery are new recordings of classic Wainwright tunes from about 30 years ago. Even if you know them all in their original forms, these versions are a great pleasure to listen to. Longtime fans will enjoy the solid reworking of these classics. A new fan can appreciate both the great young talent who created these tunes, and the mature musician who is revisiting them from a very different perspective. The label "entertainer" is perfect for this eminently talented and insightful singer-songwriter. If you ever have the opportunity to see Wainwright in concert, don't miss it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid album, July 12, 2009

By 

Greg Kinne "Criticaljoe" (midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Recovery (Audio CD)

`Recovery' is a new collaboration with Joe Henry, and finds Loudon Wainwright III in an introspective mood. `Recovery' is a rerecording of Wainwright's extensive back catalog infused with Wainwright's maturity. It's similar to looking at a bunch of old photographs and putting new insights into the past. Joe Henry provides the tasteful arrangements on this album and does not obscure Wainwright's lyrics with too much flourish.

Wainwright's best songs on this album are the ones with the most sardonic touches. Dark songwriting has always been this man's forte. Standout tracks on this album include, "School Days," "Muse Blues" and "Be Careful There's A Baby In The House." Those may be my favorites, but the rest of the album is solid. Album closer, "The Man Who Couldn't Cry" is a personal favorite with its list of problems and resolutions. Joe Henry's string arrangement accentuates the drama of this song perfectly.

File this one in updated classics.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Re-Discovery, October 6, 2008

By 

Casey C. Taylor (San Angelo, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Recovery (Audio CD)

In the measure of full discloser I am an avid fan of LWIII, and immediately obtain anything he put's out. That being said, this is a fine album. Yes it is well produced by Mr. Henry, and the band is first rate. Certainly LWIII deserves to revisit his work and reinterpret it any way he chooses, and here, it is wonderful. However, I prefer the original, and raw sound of a younger LWIII. That was fantastic, this is beautiful. I love the "full" band sound, and would pay top dollar to see these guys live in a small room. LWIII can do no wrong.