Rufus Wainwright

[DWIG]

Have recently discovered Rufus and find his music (and particularly the way it's arranged, amazing.) I don't know why, but i just imagine Stevie's voice with Rufus's music. Hope they can somehow get to work together

Stevie really needs some of these grandiose productions to suit her fantastic voice!

[Amy Y]

I love Rufus, and yeah, I think that mixing the two voices would be very interesting to hear.

[MacMan]

Yeah, he's definately and interesting singer.... He's somewhat monotonal as well as Stevie so they may fit together well.

[Lala]

They're voices would be really cool together.

[Nixxxed]

I've been wanting to start this thread for ages, and I'm glad to see that you did!!!

I love all three of his albums, and I scoured Audiogalaxy before it got squashed by the RIAA for demos, outtakes, etc. He is also very like Stevie in that he has about 5 times as many unrecorded songs and one-off live covers. Also, one of my fave songs of his (and Stevie's) is called "Beautiful Child"...

Here's a good resource, for those of you who may not have discovered it:

http://db.etree.org/rwa

I think it's primarily live shows, but every once in a while someone will put a website with all of the soundtrack and unreleased material. Enjoy! Unfortunately, I've missed him the last 2 times he's been in Houston (once opening on piano for Tori Amos and once headlining with his own band). But that's okay -- he's going to be around for quite some time, mark my words. There is a reason Elton John called him "the best songwriter out there right now."

[sparky]

I have really tried to like this guy's music. Bought an album, heard the others and went to a show. Some of the music itself is very beautifully written, and highly sophisticated. I just cannot stand his voice. Sounds incredibly affected and like he's keening underwater. But, many of my friends adore him. I bet I'd like the songs more if people covered them !

[Nixxxed]

Originally Posted by sparky

I just cannot stand his voice.

It's an acquired taste, for sure. I fell in love with "April Fools" and bought his first album, and I couldn't even listen to it. Then, I read the lyric booklet (which I never do until I've learned music by ear) and read some interviews and decided to give it a second chance.

Affected? I find his voice very "real" and emotional, but overly nasal at times. Sure, not perfect, but hey -- that's style, right?

Joss Stone -- now THAT's affected. (My apologies to those of you who like her... )

[Lala]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

There is a reason Elton John called him "the best songwriter out there right now."

WOW! I didn't know Elton John had said that. I would die happy if he said that to me. (I would anyways ) What a complement!

[Gazza]

He's somebody who I think Lindsey would like more. Just for that wall of sound on so many of his songs.

[Josh2003]

I adore Rufus Wainwright. And I met him :-)




He's going to be at my school next weekend with Ben Folds...looking forward to it A LOT.

[Nixxxed]

Originally Posted by Josh2003

I adore Rufus Wainwright. And I met him :-)

He's going to be at my school next weekend with Ben Folds...looking forward to it A LOT.

What a great picture!!! And I COULDN'T be more jealous. He's someone I'd like to hang out with and get to know. On the other hand, if I met one of the Mac, I'd probably just freak out, run away, and go cry in the bathroom.

[Josh2003]

Originally Posted by Lux

Ah good-o. When I saw this thread I knew that picture would be coming out sooner or later.

hahaha...you know me too well, my dear ;-)

[dontlookdown]

he's the real thing. a talent like this only comes around just so often.

i remember hearing him do a cover of Neil Young's "Harvest" and it blew me away.

His debut record - produced by Jon Brion, is a masterpiece.
I also like his second - Poses.
His recent one didn't go over as well for me.
But I think he is an incredibly gifted singer. I love singing with him - adding my own harmony to his voice when I'm driving around LA...

Check out his work on "The McGarrigle Hour" album w/ the rest of his family

[Moony]

I didn't really know of Rufus Wainwright til my younger brother was playing his Shrek 1 soundtrack and "Hallelujah" came on. I was blown away by the voice. (And the little bastard lost the CD so now I'm going to have to go buy that stupid soundtrack for that one song! )

Rufus is a very gifted songwriter, and I think his voice is amazing. I've only got his more recent CD, Want One, and it is incredible. It's too bad he doesn't get more exposure, because I think a lot of people would really like his music.

[DWIG]

Great to see so many positive comments about Rufus. Didn't know he was that popular (deservedly so!).
Just got tickets to see him in Liverpool in November, so can't wait for that.
He also has a new CD out soon (hope it's more of the same, as I love his other albums - particularly Poses)

Also, check out the Innocence Missions new CD coming out soon.