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Product Description
CD Description
Banjo player and singer Charlie Poole was one of Loudon's first models when he began singing and playing over 40 years ago. Now, together with producer/songwriter Dick Connette, he has put together a double album dedicated to the music and life of his early inspiration.
Most of the songs recast the original recordings from the 20s and 30s, but Wainwright and Connette have also written 9 new songs around and about Poole's life and times. The album features over 20 singers and musicians, including Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Sloan Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, David Roche, the Roches (Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy), anda special guest appearance by mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile.
From string quartet to swing trio, from old timey string band to acappella gospel, what they've’ve found in the Poole repertoire, besides the expected nascent country and bluegrass, has been astounding in its range - sentimental songs, vaudeville songs, minstrel songs, early jazz songs, British ballad variants, dixie melodies, comedy routines - it’s like a condensed compendium of all the strains that have created and continue to create American popular music.
Most of the songs recast the original recordings from the 20s and 30s, but Wainwright and Connette have also written 9 new songs around and about Poole's life and times. The album features over 20 singers and musicians, including Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Sloan Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, David Roche, the Roches (Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy), anda special guest appearance by mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile.
From string quartet to swing trio, from old timey string band to acappella gospel, what they've’ve found in the Poole repertoire, besides the expected nascent country and bluegrass, has been astounding in its range - sentimental songs, vaudeville songs, minstrel songs, early jazz songs, British ballad variants, dixie melodies, comedy routines - it’s like a condensed compendium of all the strains that have created and continue to create American popular music.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I gotta admit to a little trepidation when I ordered this - just how would I feel about one of my favourite artists paying homage to a banjo player whom I had never heard of?
Well, one spin of two packed disks on the CD player and I'm absolutely enthralled. Loudon, the assembled masses of the Wainwright / McGarrigle / Roche dynasty and Dick Cornette have pulled together an exquisite mixture of songs that Charlie Poole played in his short career and some new songs written about Poole or from his point of view. There's able assistance from others also such as David Mansfield and Chaim Tannenbaum who will be well known to Wainwright fans.
There's a real sense of respect for Charlie Poole and his music on these recordings. The old songs are wonderful - and sound fresh today almost 80 years after Poole's passing. There's a clear insight into a strong influence that Poole's kinda music had on Loudon's own career. And for an Irishman, there's a clear insight into the links between the folk music of the US and the traditional music that he Irish emigrants brought with them to new lands.
It's almost impossible to pick highlights - Old and Only in the Way could have been written by someone from this generation; it's followed by an amazing traditional instrumental Ragtime Annie. And High Wide and Handsome is a new Loudon song that I reckon hits the spot for him and for Charlie Poole's ghost.
A final word about the whole package - the 2 CDs are accompanied by a fascinating booklet on the project, Poole himself and the songs. All in all, this is a piece of work that everybody that was involved in can be proud of.
The Jimmies
Well, one spin of two packed disks on the CD player and I'm absolutely enthralled. Loudon, the assembled masses of the Wainwright / McGarrigle / Roche dynasty and Dick Cornette have pulled together an exquisite mixture of songs that Charlie Poole played in his short career and some new songs written about Poole or from his point of view. There's able assistance from others also such as David Mansfield and Chaim Tannenbaum who will be well known to Wainwright fans.
There's a real sense of respect for Charlie Poole and his music on these recordings. The old songs are wonderful - and sound fresh today almost 80 years after Poole's passing. There's a clear insight into a strong influence that Poole's kinda music had on Loudon's own career. And for an Irishman, there's a clear insight into the links between the folk music of the US and the traditional music that he Irish emigrants brought with them to new lands.
It's almost impossible to pick highlights - Old and Only in the Way could have been written by someone from this generation; it's followed by an amazing traditional instrumental Ragtime Annie. And High Wide and Handsome is a new Loudon song that I reckon hits the spot for him and for Charlie Poole's ghost.
A final word about the whole package - the 2 CDs are accompanied by a fascinating booklet on the project, Poole himself and the songs. All in all, this is a piece of work that everybody that was involved in can be proud of.
The Jimmies
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of those recordings that set themselves above most. Loudon Wainwright has given us a fabulous collections of songs based on the work of Charlie Poole. The songs and the musicianship are sublime and full of life, humour and reflection. Someone, somewhere must give this recording the recognition as one of the finest recording of this year
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Wainwright and producer Dick Connette have made something pretty special here. Musically, it's a little encyclopedia of early 20th century American popular music, from blues to bluegras to ragtime, with sentimental odes to grey haired mothers alongside gritty tales of boozing and rambling. The package is as beautifully produced as the music, with a booklet containing a biography of Poole, pieces by Wainwright and Griel Marcus, photographs and old promotion material as well as notes on the songs and full lyrics. It's one time when you need the real cd, not the digital version. I haven't enjoyed a cd so much all year. A labour of love, and it shows.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
CD contemporary
This is a cd that looks back with the perspective of now. An absolute must for Loudan Wainright fans.
Published on 20 April 2010 by G. Callan
Loudon does Charlie proud
This project will put a smile on your lips. Sad songs,happy songs, banjo tunes...if you don`t react to something on these discs, then you are a very cold fish indeed. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2010 by BernieU
Relax in the hands of the wrymeister
I can underrstand another reviewers trepidation about buying something unknown, but personally, I had no fears, such is my confidence in LW's lightness of touch and reverence for... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by Franimi
High and handsome
As a keen follower of Loudon rather than his children I always enjoy his output. This is a great little extra - a homage to a true star who deserves a bigger following. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Orwell
Let's Put On A Show: Song, Wine and Women
Charlie Poole was an American banjo player. He was part of a string band that recorded in the 20's and 30's. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2009 by prisrob
A successful departure...
I confess that as a LWIII devotee I was worried when I read that his forthcoming double-CD was to be a biographical concept album - a homage to somebody I'd never even heard of,... Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2009 by Mr. P. S. Rapaport
Loudon Comes of Age
This album is a well thought out, well constucted, well executed, informative and above all enjoyable CD. Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2009 by R. I. Lawes
American Oldtime Enthusiasts
A must for anybody interested in American oldtime - well, 1930's
For anybody not interested in A.O.T. - still a must! Read more
For anybody not interested in A.O.T. - still a must! Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2009 by J. D. Wood
Excellent
This is a real treat. It is a celebration of Charlie Poole and his music and a joyous musical delight.There is a balance of tender, funny and lyrical music. Life enhancing.
Published on 13 Sep 2009 by Barbara
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