Elly Roberts reviews
Rufus Wainwright: Want Two
Distributed by
Dreamworks (Polydor/Universal)
- Released: March 2005
- Format: CD
- Rating: 10/10+
- Cat.no.: 2103092
Mozart was only declared a genius long after he died at the premature age of 35 years.
During his lifetime, he struggled to make ends meet and coped with a
debilitating illness. He would tour endlessly trying to make a name for
himself. His widow Constanze took his work around Europe and this is when his
work effectively became recognised.
Right now,there’s a man at the peak of his productive powers and similarilties
have been drawn with the classical composer. Let’s hope that this man is
recognised as such during his lifetime. The name on everybody’s lips is Rufus Wainwright.
The Wainwright music dynasty is a formidable one. Father Loudon Wainwright III
is a folk legend, as is aunt Anna McGarrigle. Sister Martha is also a rising star and
then there’s Rufus.
The latter is a flamboyant homo-sexual,who has just released one of the
greatest albums of all time - Want Two.
A couple of years ago he brought out Want One to critical acclaim. When
he presented the complete works to his record company, they were nervous about
the huge volume of work, so they suggested splitting it into two separate
entities - Want One and Want Two.
For the latter he’s been declared the status of genius with Elton John declaring
him to be the greatest living songwriter, with some justification.
Not being able to receive the usual review copy, I went out and bought it.
My interest was kindled by reading several magazine features and reviews.
The music press are unanimous in their praise, if a tad understated.
What you get here is the second musical coming, or the Gay Messiah as he’s
being dubbed.
So adventurous and daring, it has sent shockwaves through the music
industry. Categorising Wainwright is difficult, but most music stores slot him
under the ‘Pop’section, which denotes a secular leaning. Nothing could be
further from the truth. With both albums, you get a collection that requires
serious listening,unlike the 3 minute ‘wonders’ that are being thrust down
our throats by radio stations.
With it’s vastly differing but equally dramatic beginning - Angus Dei a
mammoth Eastern flavoured epic, it’s rapidly followed by the jaunty and
infectious single The One You Love, which is as close as you’ll get to
secularism. From then on it’s littered with emotive ballads - The Peach
Tree, The Art Teacher, Memphis Skyline and hauntingly beautiful Waiting For A
Dream.
He even throws in some country and French ballads e.g. Coeur de
Parisienne (sung live), which resembles something out of 19th century
Vienna. The magnificently raucous Old Whore’s Diet, is a glorious neuvo-dance
blast featuring performance artist Antony.
This has to be heard to be believed - a truly tumultuous listening experience.
Further listening examples follow below:
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.