Rufus Wainwright: Rufus, Rufus, Rufus does Judy, Judy, Judy
Monday, 03 Dec 2007 17:04
Rufus Wainwright does Judy Garland
Polydor, out December 3rd.
In a nutshell…
Flamboyant, bold, brash, affectionate, celebratory.
What's it all about?
In 1961, Judy Garland performed her now-legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. After 38 years and a troubled private life today's tabloids would have lapped up, Garland delivered what is generally regarded as one of the finest performances of her career.
Skip forward 45 years and Garland's army of gay fans includes one Rufus Wainwright, who has long cited the singer's influence on his own body of increasingly flamboyant work.
In the ultimate tribute to the troubled chanteuse, Wainwright has performed a series of concerts recreating that night at the Carnegie Hall. This performance, recorded at the London Palladium in February 2007, sees Wainwright and orchestral backing perform for a star-studded British audience.
Who's it by
Were Rufus Wainwright to audition for the X Factor he would undoubtedly be one of those contestants Simon Cowell cannot quite figure out – meaning he is an undeniable talent guaranteed to alienate at least half of Michael Buble's admirers.
Although one of many singer songwriters to earn the dubious honour of being tipped as the next Jeff Buckley, his often reedy voice has been frequently, and perhaps fairly, described as an acquired taste and his deliciously flamboyant persona risks alienating the Jeremy Clarkson fanbase.
That said, he was hailed as a major talent since his eponymous debut album and has maintained critical support across a further five studio albums and throughout a turbulent period of addiction.
As an example…
Classic Judy all the way: "You go to my head and you linger like a haunting refrain and I find you spinning 'round in my brain like the bubbles in a glass of champagne."
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
High, although this recording is more likely to remind critics of Wainwright when drawing up the nominations for best live act than earn a nomination in its own right.
Wainwright's performance at the London Palladium is now being described as one of the gigs of the year for 2007 while his stateside renditions have enjoyed equal critical acclaim.
What the others say
"Packed with heart-stopping moments. Brave, audacious, emotionally-wrenching, unrepentantly gay and unafraid to show the dirt under Garland’s manicure…4/5." – The Guardian
So is it any good?
For hardcore Judy Garland or Rufus Wainwright fans – and there is evidentially a large crossover in this particular Venn diagram - this DVD will be gold dust. Anyone currently looking for Christmas present ideas would be well advised to pick up a copy of Rufus, Rufus, Rufus….
The heartfelt premise behind the performance, not to mention an appearance from Garland's own daughter Lorna Luft, adds a sense of occasion to the concert that is missing from many live recordings. The sense of warmth and fun pervading the performance is only enhanced by a duet with sister Martha Wainright on Stormy Weather and mother Kate McGarrigle playing the piano for a stripped down version of Over the Rainbow.
While staying true to the spirit of Garland and the traditional arrangements, Wainwright also adds his own inimitable style to proceedings, at once humble and cheeky. His voice glides effortlessly through more than 30 classic Garland songs including When You're Smiling, Almost Like Being in Love, Get Happy and You Go To My Head.
6/10
Kate Webb
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