Singer-songwriter, satirist and actor Loudon Wainwright III survived the American folk scene of the 60/70s and always kept an audience of his own. Lovers of his autobiographical songs full of recognizable, everyday images will probably scratch their ears when hearing I'd Rather Lead A Band in which, together with Vince Giordano's swing band, he throws himself into Tin Pan Alley music. But this too
… has an autobiographical element. Wainwright's choice of repertoire arose when he selected the collection of 78 rpm records of his late father (the writer and columnist Loudon Wainwright Jr.). Supple and enthusiastic he now sings classics like Ain't Misbehavin' and Heart And Soul. He has audible fun in them and doesn't seem to bother whether his fans will have the same. (MR)more