Rufus Wainwright (Limited Edition)

Rufus Wainwright | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreamworks
• ASIN: B000006PUJ
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #405,627 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Foolish Love

2. Danny Boy

3. April Fools

4. In My Arms

5. Millbrook

6. Baby

7. Beauty Mark

8. Barcelona

9. Matinee Idol

10. Damned Ladies

11. Sally Ann

12. Imaginary Love

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The singer/songwriters working today who point to Tin Pan Alley and Broadway musicals as central inspirations can be counted on an index finger. Rufus Wainwright is quite an anomaly--but, then again, he's the son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. Wainwright has been compared to Randy Newman for his piano-based orchestral sense, but unlike Newman, he rarely turns those poppy conventions against themselves: he's always sentimental and sincere about the fluff he explores. When he drives his melodies and lyrics hardest--as on the Beatlesque "April Fools" and the barroom "Matinee Idol"--his considerable imagination is most convincing and entertaining. Fans of folk simplicity should skip this one, but the more adventurous may find the charm in Wainwright's ambitious debut. --Roy Kasten

Product Description

First time Vinyl Pressing-Two LP set of the reissue of his 1998 release which was showered with critical praise upon its initial release. Rufus Wainwright's debut album established him as the massive talent that he remains today. The child of acclaimed folk songwriters Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Rufus' style owes more to the orchestral pop of Scott Walker or Van Dyke Parks (whose orchestral arrangements adorn much of this album), the opera, and the work of Edith Piaf and Judy Garland, than it does his own musical lineage. The debut pop classic from one of this generation's most important artists. Tracklisting includes 'Foolish Love', 'Danny Boy', 'April Fools',' In My Arms', 'Matinee Idol', 'Sally Ann', 'Imaginary Love' and more. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rufus Wainwright, November 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rufus Wainwright (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

I discovered Rufus by a two page article in GQ and I must admit two things. One, I had NEVER heard of him before, two fell in love with his sad puppy-dog eyes instantly. I must admit, I bought his CD mostly because of this. However, I wasn't completely ignorant in my purchase. I am a piano and opera lover, which helped a bit, seeing as his music at times is called "popra" (cute isnt it)! When I first listened to the CD I was utterly amazed. Never before had I heard such silky melodies mixed with such a velvety voice! Which is why I recomend the CD to everyone. Rufus' music appeals to everybody's tastes. For thoes who love sappy ballads- "Barcelona" is fantastic. Or "April Fools" for any Beatles fans. "Imaginary Love" (my favourite) appeals to thoes with a thing for cabaret style, and then "Instant Pleasure" (which isn't on this CD, but the "Big Daddy" soundtrack) will totally call out to thoes who are interested in the commercial pop songs. Just goes to prove that Rufus' versitility makes him a real winner in the end!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars " Brilliant Songwriter Amazes Public ! ", March 13, 2002

By 

Lavenderbyrd "lavenderbyrd" (LaWrEnCe, KaNsAs) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rufus Wainwright (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

Just a catchy heading to get your attention......
Rufus is just scratching the surface of his talent with this debut, which has traces of early Billy Joel (simple melodies paired with strong lyrics)and the eccentricity of an artist like Tom Waits. This is quite an astonishing display of one man's talent, and deserving of Rolling Stone's pick of Best New Artist of 1998. I enjoy all the songs on this debut- I purchased the 1998 French import version and it came with a bonus cd of 4 extra tracks: 1. A Bit Of You 2. Moulin Rouge 3. Banks Of The Wabash 4. Le Roy Dy's. In 1999 he joined up with his Canadian parents, Loudon Wainwright III, an artist in his own right, his mother Kate McGarrigle (of the famed McGarrigle Sisters), an aunt and his sister for a cd collaboration of standards & originals called " The McGarrigle Hour". It is an interesting cd in that you get a chance to hear from where his talent originates. Back to his debut- rumour has it that it took two years and $700,00 to make and is actually a collection of remakes; the originals, demos, were tailored to suit public comsumption. Nonetheless, this is a very strong debut. Since the release of this debut, he has had various songs on several soundtracks: (1.) "Instant Pleasure"- BIG DADDY Sndtrk-1999
(2.) "Banks Of The Wabash" & "Le Roy Dy's"- MYTH OF FINGERPRINTS Sndtrk-1999 (3.) "Hallelujah"- SHREK Sndtrk-2001
(4.) "Complainte De La Butte"- MOULIN ROUGE Sndtrk-2001
(5.) "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"- ZOOLANDER Sndtrk-2001
(6.) "Across The Universe"- SAM I AM Sndtrk-2002.

A nice collection of tunes from an artist who shows a lot of promise and originality. This is definitely one artist to watch over the next few years. I do believe he is here to stay.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've never owned a better album, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rufus Wainwright (Limited Edition) (Audio CD)

I have listened to this album almost every day for the past nine months. I've taken it around the world with me. I never tire of it, and it's a testament to his rich, varied imagination that I keep discovering new textures, layers, and nuances in it. I do not get this rabid about ANY singer. But it's true. This album is the optimal mix of smart, heartfelt, ironic, and completely unclassifiable. Buy it twice.