Rufus Wainwright

TrickyDicky · 28-04-2005 10:48PM #1

Quite simple really, do you like his music and is he comparable to Damien Rice or Jeff Buckley.

Personally I think some of his songs are quite good such as "Instant Pleasure", "Across the Universe" and "Cigarettes and Choc Milk". Oh and lets not mention "Hallelllujah"

Rhyme · 28-04-2005 10:56PM

Pure class, a fantastic voice and great music... also good friends with the one Ben Folds... their live duet things are goddam great

Dinner · 28-04-2005 11:06PM

I havent heard too much of his other stuff, but his version of Hallelujah is stunning.

damien · 29-04-2005 12:05AM

Got his last three albums a few weeks back. Want Two is stunning. Want One is ok, Poses is good. I love his voice and his lyrics. The guy's a genius, comparing him to the likes of that clown Damien Rice is quite an insult. He hasn't got the attitude or ability of Jeff Buckley though when it comes to that genre of music but he is amazing the way his style and range can be so diverse. Going to see him in Vicar Street the week after next.

lordgoat · 29-04-2005 09:02AM

damien.m wrote:

. I love his voice and his lyrics. The guy's a genius, comparing him to the likes of that clown Damien Rice is quite an insult. He hasn't got the attitude or ability of Jeff Buckley though QUOTE]

so he's better than rice but not as good as buckley?? due to his lack of attitude is he not arsed enough? or have the ability??? so what part of his genius doesn't live up to jef then??

think its a little harsh to compare him to rice or buckley... if you do for a start the buckley fans will jump down your throat saying no-one is like our jeff...

and he style is nothing like damien rice, rice tends to go for a much softer sound, while the rufus generally belts out his songs with a huge cabaret style voice that in my opinion is too harsh at times.

songs are great though, love gay massiah (spell) and one man guy - which TURN do a really good cover of...

damien · 29-04-2005 11:31AM

lordgoat wrote:

so he's better than rice but not as good as buckley?? due to his lack of attitude is he not arsed enough? or have the ability??? so what part of his genius doesn't live up to jef then??

Rufus is gifted at music, all types of music, he brings in a diverse range of influence into his music. He doesn't stick to one genre whereas Jeff did really. Rufus will write the music, arrange the orchestral bits etc etc He can turn his hand to rock, pop, blues, folk and operatic type stuff. The trouble with his music was that he was bouncing from one genre to another, throwing too much into the mix instead of refining it down a bit. I think the latest album from him sees him calm down a bit and you feel like it's a continuous conversation you're having with him besides a bunch of short stories with no binding theme.

The thing with Jeff is that he could take a song and put a lot of his emotion and soul into it so that you believe the song. This was his gift. he could probably cover a Take That song and you'd have the music snobs all teary eyed. I don't think Rufus can offer us this ability just yet.

think its a little harsh to compare him to rice or buckley... if you do for a start the buckley fans will jump down your throat saying no-one is like our jeff...

Twasn't I that compared him.

I don't think they can be compared.

and he style is nothing like damien rice

I'm not a fan of rice at all. I think he just has a fantastic management team that sells him well.

Sleepy · 29-04-2005 12:16PM

I'm not a fan of rice at all. I think he just has a fantastic management team that sells him well.

Sorry, I just can't let you away with that one. Take a look at the label. DRM? As in Damien Rice Music?

When 'O' was recorded they expected to sell a few hundred copies after gigs in Whelans etc. It's success has been hugely organic, coming from recommendations from friends rather than a marketing drive.

Personally, I love his music. You may disagree and I can see why some people wouldn't like him but you can't dismiss everything you don't like as being commercial and management driven. I mean, personally I consider Bjork to be the least talented half-wit I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to sing but I can appreciate that her success hasn't been purely driven by a good management team.

lordgoat · 29-04-2005 02:50PM

where does one start

damien.m wrote:

Rufus is gifted at music, all types of music, he brings in a diverse range of influence into his music. He doesn't stick to one genre whereas Jeff did really. Rufus will write the music, arrange the orchestral bits etc etc He can turn his hand to rock, pop, blues, folk and operatic type stuff. The trouble with his music was that he was bouncing from one genre to another, throwing too much into the mix instead of refining it down a bit. I think the latest album from him sees him calm down a bit and you feel like it's a continuous conversation you're having with him besides a bunch of short stories with no binding theme.

The thing with Jeff is that he could take a song and put a lot of his emotion and soul into it so that you believe the song. This was his gift. he could probably cover a Take That song and you'd have the music snobs all teary eyed. I don't think Rufus can offer us this ability just yet.

so when you said he hadn't the same ability of jeff, you ment that despite the fact that he is a multi-instrumentalist and arranges all the music in his songs goes across multiple genre's he's not as good as jeff as buckley stuck to what he know and was gifted with an amazing voice...
and the paragraph about believing the song is bollocks, rufus voice may not be as sweet as buckley's but than again few are,

[/QUOTE]

I'm not a fan of rice at all. I think he just has a fantastic management team that sells him well.[/QUOTE]

this one was already answered, the fact that this album is over 5 years old says alot, rice busked around europe with these songs and anyone who says he's got a fantastic management team has not an idea what is going on, regardless of what they think o his music

damien · 29-04-2005 03:36PM

lordgoat wrote:

so when you said he hadn't the same ability of jeff, you ment that despite the fact that he is a multi-instrumentalist and arranges all the music in his songs goes across multiple genre's he's not as good as jeff as buckley stuck to what he know and was gifted with an amazing voice...

Do I need to quote what I said ?

when it comes to that genre of music

Rufus is multi-talented, I don't think Jeff was. I noted that I thought Rufus was a genius. Yon know, meaning the upper percentile and all that. Few peers etc. Yay, Rufus wins that one for whatever that's worth. If you were to compare Jeff's genre with those genre-specific tunes that Rufus produces then Jeff kicked his ass.

and the paragraph about believing the song is bollocks, rufus voice may not be as sweet as buckley's but than again few are,

For the type of music Jeff plays, yes his voice is better. Though I do think Rufus could probably turn to classical opera if he ever wanted to. Fair enough if you think it's bollox but I do think Jeff delivers more passion per song than Rufus does.

the fact that this album is over 5 years old says alot, rice busked around europe with these songs and anyone who says he's got a fantastic management team has not an idea what is going on, regardless of what they think o his music

5 years ago he busked around Europe, then worked on material for 0. The "Blower's Daughter" was released in September 2001. (That's 4 years ago) The album "O" was released in 2002 in Ireland. (That's 3 years ago). The initial release in America for "O" was June 2003 (2 years ago) It was only re-released in America in 2004. (1 year ago).

I still think he has a fantastic management team for the accolades he's gotten stateside. He's played on Letterman, Leno, Carson Daly and his music is featuring on a whole slew of soundtracks. Not bad for fairly old material. He's getting quite a lot mileage out of "O", an album I feel is mediocre at best and has a lot of bland fillers. But really lads, if we want to talk Damien Rice we should do so in another thread.

Hmm_Messiah · 29-04-2005 03:46PM

Dunno any Damien Rice stuff.

All i know is a good friend played Rufus "On Vibrate" for me at 3am, and since then i bought Want One and Want Two (with the DVD)

I tend to fall asleep these days when i listen to music (apnea) so can only say for now that the original hearing of him that morning impressed me enought o buy two albums. Would love to go to vicar street, but no transport from wee Kilkenny

RE: Hallelujah, Jeff Buckleys is ...sublime. The song itself I think is the masterpiece in that it can bring out the raw talent of people who tackle it. Rufus Wainrights version I liked, but didn't blow me away.

Then again I love the tone of Leonard Cohen when he does the honours.

Apparently KD Laing gives it a good go, but not heard that yet.

Comparing singers/ musicians to others is not very helpful. You have to allow for voice, expression, experience, self penned or colloborated or coverd, production, etc etc.

IF the question is do I rate Rufus Wainright? yea.

Though the bit of the DVD I did see reminded me of Neil Tennant for some reason.

lordgoat · 29-04-2005 04:03PM

damien.m wrote:

5 years ago he busked around Europe, then worked on material for 0. The "Blower's Daughter" was released in September 2001. (That's 4 years ago) The album "O" was released in 2002 in Ireland. (That's 3 years ago). The initial release in America for "O" was June 2003 (2 years ago) It was only re-released in America in 2004. (1 year ago).

I still think he has a fantastic management team for the accolades he's gotten stateside. He's played on Letterman, Leno, Carson Daly and his music is featuring on a whole slew of soundtracks. Not bad for fairly old material. He's getting quite a lot mileage out of "O", an album I feel is mediocre at best and has a lot of bland fillers. But really lads, if we want to talk Damien Rice we should do so in another thread.

this like much else that you've said if confusing and mis-informed, maybe it was his music that got him onto the shows and soundtracks, the album was released in early 2002, but the songs have been around for much longer than that, he so i was about a year out - the point is still the same, i hate pedantics,

i grow bored of this you keep changing your view point, hopefully this thread will be gone by monday...

damien · 29-04-2005 04:19PM

lordgoat wrote:

this like much else that you've said if confusing and mis-informed ...
he so i was about a year out - the point is still the same, i hate pedantics

Now now, I only pointed out your inaccuracies after you said I was talking bollox and hadn't a clue about Damien Rice. As for saying I'm a pedant, kinda funny from the guy who tried to be pedantic with me and failed.

*Bonus comment: 2002-2000 = 2 years out, not 1.

Piste · 01-05-2005 12:03AM

I prefer Jeff's Halleluia by far to Rufus'. Jeff's voice is full of emotion and brings that song to life. In Rufus' version he just sounds bored when singing it.

comet · 03-05-2005 12:05PM

Rufus supports Brian Wilson at his Cork and Dublin dates this summer.

Third_Echelon · 03-05-2005 12:13PM

Poses and Want Two are great albums. Going to see him in vicar st in a few weeks. Should be a great gig!!!

Cant wait :eek:

ronano · 04-05-2005 04:47PM

comet wrote:

Rufus supports Brian Wilson at his Cork and Dublin dates this summer.

Oh my! i shall be buying tickets

*Angel* · 04-05-2005 06:26PM

I'm going neutral here. I like both Wainwright's and Buckley's versions of 'Hallellujah', however I definitely wouldn't compare Wainwright with Rice.

Spicy Lauren · 06-05-2005 01:58PM

Rufus played with the McGarrigle sisters last year in Vicar Street, who are in fact, his mam and his autie. Rufus was playing the piano. His sister played a few tunes as well. Isnt Rufus Loudon Wainwright's son? A talented family I'll tell ya!

Can you give me your opinon on that one: dont you think Declan O'Rourke ripped off Rufus big time? (in the way he sings I mean) Not that I particularly like your man, but I was choked the first time I heard that 'Galeleo' song...

Slan

Amazotheamazing · 06-05-2005 03:47PM

Firstly Damien Rice has the same management as David Gray, which explains the success of his chick-lite radio friendly pop.
Secondly Wainwright is a far better lyricist than Rice, though to my mind he hasn't as good a voice. Also why are people praising singer/songer writers for cover versions? Across the Universe and Hallelujah have been done to death at this stage. The entire vibe of "serious" singer songwriters covering others songs just highlights the dearth in quality of their own material.
For what it's worth i always thought O'Rourke rips of Ron Sexsmith quite a fair bit, still a grand song though.

Spicy Lauren · 06-05-2005 03:51PM

Amazotheamazing wrote:

For what it's worth i always thought O'Rourke rips of Ron Sexsmith quite a fair bit, still a grand song though.

dead right there Amaz

Amazotheamazing · 06-05-2005 03:58PM

Funny, I've said it to a few people and they can't hear it. I'm pretty damn certain though. Now Ron Sexsmith is someone who deserves to be lauded if people are going to praise Damien Rice. The collaboration with Chris Martin is great.

comet · 09-05-2005 09:49AM

I love Ron Sexsmith, totally underrated in this country when guys with half his talent have been carried away on a wave of singer-songwriter adulation, not that I mind, its great to still get the chance to see him playing the small venues.

ronano · 09-05-2005 10:52AM

comet wrote:

Rufus supports Brian Wilson at his Cork and Dublin dates this summer.

It's Elton John and Rufus Wainwright

btw you broke my heart

comet · 09-05-2005 10:58AM

No its not its Brian Wilson and Rufus Wainwright in Cork anyway and I'm pretty sure its Dublin too.

comet · 09-05-2005 11:04AM

Well Ok maybe its just the Cork date so, for once we get one over on the Dubs!

weemcd · 09-05-2005 08:23PM

Joseph Arthur > Damien rice, Rufus Wainwright and Jeff buckley

TrickyDicky · 16-05-2005 06:45PM

Anyone going to see Rufus in Vicar St tomorrow night

. Hopefully I'll be there, haven't got my ticket yet though :eek:

16-05-2005 08:38PM

Rufus, I dunno. Have his last album, it is good I have to say, although his voice isn't as interesting as I usually like my voices. His talent lies primarily in writing, and composition I think.
And in comparison to Jeff, he just doesn't pack the punch. Jeff had more passion and energy in his delicate guitar strumming fingers than anything God has, or ever will, create.
I'm sorry.
I love him.

Third_Echelon · 18-05-2005 12:17AM

Wow... what a great gig. My back is killing me from 2 hours and 20 mins of standing! That was one long set

I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable gigs i've been to in a while. Great musician, great performer and he is one funny guy

His stories are pretty funny and the encore is really 'unusual' in a funny/good way... those lucky enough to be in belfast tomorrow night will see what i am talking about

Overall my rating of him has gone up..

Comparing him to Damien Rice or Jeff Buckley is a bit silly to be honest. He's nothing like either of them to be honest. Its a bit hard to categorise him, which is probably a good thing....

Looking forward to see him again!

rubberduckey · 18-05-2005 12:21PM

Have to agree, last nights gig was one of the best I've been to in ages.

Quite the showman is Rufus!!!

davej · 18-05-2005 01:26PM

Yes it was indeed a great show. Glad we had a seat as it was quite a lengthy gig.

He played nearly everything i wanted to hear except for maybe "go or go ahead".

As for comparisons. I would have to say a cross between Jeff Buckley and Jacques Brel. But he is his own man really.

davej

Rufus Wainwright

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