Rufus Wainwright - All I Want [DVD] [2005]

As well as the C4 documentary, it also has all of Rufus Wainwright's music videos, plus performances both live (Cambridge Corn Exchange and Central Park concerts) and studio-based. Basically, the producers of this jam-packed dvd seem to have said "Here's the documentary and, hey, while we're at it, we'll throw in all the background material that we used to compile it, in its full form." I find that both incredible and fantastic -- rather like Rufus himself, in fact ;-)

As if that wasn't enough, there are also short interviews -- those that didn't make it into the 'All I Want' documentary -- with Rufus and others talking specifically about particular songs, with follow-the-rabbit links to the songs themselves. (You can also browse all of these songs in the 'Music' section of the dvd.) Contributors include Scissor Scissors; Kate McGarrigle and Martha Wainwright (his mum & his sister, both singer-songwriters in their own rights); Marius de Vries (his current producer); Tom Chaplin (the lead singer from Keane), etc etc etc.

And if THAT wasn't enough, there are two other videos in the 'More' section. A deliberately-naive and wonderful one done in 1998 of Rufus the extrovert, and a more recent one showing him recording 'The Maker Makes' in The Maid's Room studio in NYC.

Altogether, a fantastic dvd at a fantastic price. Buy it while you can!

The disc features a documentary made for British television which really is terrific. It consists mostly of interviews with Rufus, sister Martha, Mom Kate, Elton John, a couple of friends and various producers who've worked on the various Wainwright projects. Rufus and company are very open about his life, childhood, drug abuse, musical inspirations, relationship with his father, etc. It is, of course, punctuated with lots of music, mostly live performances.

There are numerous bonus features, additional interviews not used in the final cut of the documentary, a handful of music videos, extensive concert footage from various shows, recording studio takes, etc. One particularly lovely song features Rufus in a concert in Montreal accompanied by the McGarrigle Sisters - mom, Kate at the piano (who wrote the song) and Aunt Anna singing harmony. It's really something special and sends the Montreal audience into a roar.

A favorite live clip is of a flamboyantly costumed Rufus (as well as the entire band) performing "What a World" which of course opens with tubas and segues into it's main accompaniment, Ravel's Bolero with a boldness and an audicity that is guaranteed to bring a huge smile.

For those of us who love opera AND Rufus - there is one wondrously hilarious video of the song "April Fools," which begins with Rufus waking up in bed (simultaneously) with Carmen, Tosca (a deadly serious Maria Callas clone), Gilda, Cio-Cio San (played by sister Martha), and Mimi who join him at the piano, scores in hand, and sing backup. Together they run through Hollywood each heroine eventually expiring according to her respective libretto. It is, like the boy himself, utterly charming.

I can't recommend this enough - it's priced right, and is a great introduction to anyone wondering what all the fuss is about.

Well for all you people out there that are still thinking "so who's this Rufus guy?" You go watch the dvd and prepare to be amazed...I'm already a fan as it is, and for a dvd to come out is just perfect!

As 'A viewer' (from Stirling, Scotland) has reviewed in the most perfect way possible, long term fans will still get a lot out of it, let alone strangers that are new kto this oh-so very talented man. I think Rufus Wainwright is one of the musicians that just don't get appreciated and loved enough!

The 'All I Want' main section of the dvd, showing the life of Rufus and family when he was young and following him through the rise and fall of the fantastic musician that you see today. Every song written with a real depth behind them that no one will ever fully understand but admire all the same. Rufus is able to grab the audience everytime and the amazing thing is that he'll do it in any way he wants! Some very sweet and awfully touching parts of the interview still sends chills!

And all of the really really good interviews with the celebrities, the people behind the making and friends and family! The dude with amazing amount of talent and originality and i dunno what else to say but A MUST-HAVE FOR ANY MUSIC FAN