Attempted Mustache

Attempted Mustache is the fourth album from Loudon Wainwright III. It was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Bob Johnston and was released in 1973 on Columbia Records.

Attempted Mustache
Studio album by Loudon Wainwright III
Released	1973
Recorded	Ray Stevens Sound Lab, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre	Folk
Length	38:38
Label	Columbia
Producer	Bob Johnston, Bruce Dickinson (1998 reissue production)
Loudon Wainwright III chronology
Album III (1972) Attempted Mustache (1973) Unrequited (1975)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Christgau's Record Guide	A–[2]
Rolling Stone	favorable[3]

Wainwright said that "I Am the Way" was partly inspired by Guru Maharaj Ji's appearance at the Millennium '73 festival in December 1973.[4]

Johnny Cash covered the song "The Man Who Couldn't Cry" live on his album American Recordings.

Track listing

1. "The Swimming Song" – 2:26
2. "A.M. World" – 2:31
3. "Bell Bottom Pants" – 2:27
4. "Liza" – 2:47
5. "I Am the Way (New York Town)" – 3:12
6. "Clockwork Chartreuse" – 3:37
7. "Down Drinking at the Bar" – 3:55
8. "The Man Who Couldn't Cry" – 6:16
9. "Come a Long Way" – 2:45
10. "Nocturnal Stumblebutt" – 3:45
11. "Dilated to Meet You" – 2:02
12. "Lullaby" – 2:55

Personnel

All songs written by Loudon Wainwright III except:

• "I Am the Way (New York Town)", new title and lyrics by Loudon Wainwright III, based on "New York Town", music by Woody Guthrie
• "Come a Long Way" written by Kate McGarrigle

Musicians:

• Kenneth Buttrey - drums
• Johnny Christopher - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Tommy Cogbill - bass
• Ron Cornelius - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Mac Gayden - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar
• Reggie Young - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins - piano, organ
• Doug Kershaw - fiddle and cajun exclamation
• Loudon Wainwright III - acoustic guitar, banjo, vocal
• Kate McGarrigle - banjo, vocal

Release history

• LP: Columbia KC 32710 (U.S.)
• LP: CBS 65837 (UK)
• CD: Edsel EDCD269
• CD: Sony-Legacy 65257 (1998)

References

1. Allmusic review
2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: W". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 21, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
3. Rolling Stone review
4. Lichtenstein, Grace (February 3, 1974), "They Won't Boo Loudon Any Longer", The New York Times