History (Loudon Wainwright III album)

History is the twelfth studio album by American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, released on September 21, 1992 on Charisma Records. The album was recorded following the death of Wainwright's father, Loudon Wainwright Jr. Regarding his father's death and its influence on History, Wainwright stated that:[1]

[the] whole record is about him and me, and his death, and the struggle with my own son - and so as far as reconciliation goes, I think when one or both of your parents dies, you realize you're in the batter's box. That's it: You're going to die. You get a taste of your own mortality, and you also are not as angry at them, at least after a while, and so maybe you do try to start to reconcile some things.

History
Studio album by
Loudon Wainwright III
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1992
StudioThe Hit Factory, New York City
GenreFolk Rock, Folk, Country blues
Length46:06
LabelCharisma
ProducerLoudon Wainwright III,
Jeffrey Lesser
Loudon Wainwright III chronology
Therapy
(1989)		 History
(1992)		 Career Moves
(1993)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link
Robert Christgau link
Rolling Stone(favorable) link

The album featured deeply personal compositions, with a musical style that ranges from talking blues ("Talking New Bob Dylan") to almost pure country rock ("So Many Songs") and modern folk ("The Picture", "Men").

History is often regarded as a breakthrough in Wainwright's career. Allmusic call the album "his masterpiece", and both Bruce Springsteen and Bob Geldof cited it as their favourite album of the year.

Song information

The final track, "A Handful of Dust" is an adaptation of a song written by his father.

"Hitting You" is the fourth song of Wainwright's career dedicated to his daughter Martha Wainwright, and "A Father and a Son" is directed to his son Rufus Wainwright.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III

  1. "People in Love" – 2:57
  2. "Men" – 3:35
  3. "The Picture" – 2:32
  4. "When I'm at Your House" – 2:31
  5. "The Doctor" – 4:00
  6. "Hitting You" – 3:03
  7. "I'd Rather Be Lonely" – 2:50
  8. "Between" – 1:27
  9. "Talking New Bob Dylan" – 3:34
  10. "So Many Songs" – 3:52
  11. "4 X 10" – 3:07
  12. "A Father and a Son" – 3:21
  13. "Sometimes I Forget" – 5:53
  14. "A Handful of Dust" – 3:24

Personnel
  • Loudon Wainwright III - guitar, vocals
  • The Roches - vocals
  • Syd Straw - vocals
  • Jeffrey Lesser - vocals
  • David Mansfield - pedal steel & electric guitar, violin
  • Anna McGarrigle - vocals
  • David Nichtern - acoustic guitar
  • Paul Ossola - acoustic bass
  • Chris Parker - drums, percussion
  • Chaim Tannenbaum - banjo, harmonica, vocals
  • Steve Tubin - organ, accordion
  • Kate McGarrigle - vocals
  • Robin Gould - drums

Release history
  • CD: Virgin/Charisma V2-86416 (U.S.)
  • CD: Virgin CDV2703 (UK and Europe)
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References
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