Loudon Wainwright III's 'I'd Rather Lead A Band' is interesting and greatly entertaining; a combination that at first sight is unlikely but works wonderfully well. But that's not really surprising given the talent involved in the project.
Loudon Wainwright has a fifty-year career as one of the world’s leading singer-songwriters. He’s a Grammy winner and part of a renowned musical family with connections to the McGarrigles, the Roches, and Rufus and Martha Wainwright to name but a few.
The record also features Grammy winning bandleader Vince Giordano, and The Nighthawks – a killer eleven-piece New York City big band. Randall Poster is the producer who’s known for his work with Sam Mendes and Martin Scorsese. What could go wrong?
Well, actually nothing at all. These combined talents gel wonderfully to produce a joyous, rousing, and very stylish work. I just love the playing of the Nighthawks; trombones, trumpets, clarinets, piano, tuba, bass, guitar, banjo, violin, you name it… all playing with huge skill and great swing.
The quality of the recording is top class, with a wonderful balance between the instruments and total clarity. And all this before we get to the singer and the songs
My fear was that Loudon Wainwright might dominate the material and the recording. He is such a big character and a powerful singer that this could easily have happened. I’m glad to report that this is not the case. Loudon clearly has such respect for, and knowledge of the genre that he adds to the form, but in no way does he overwhelm it. It helps that he has a voice that can easily adapt to the songs and to the big band setting.
The material is all from the top drawer, including Fats Waller’s ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, the Irving Berlin-penned title track, ‘A Perfect Day’, and ‘My Blue Heaven’ – fourteen songs of this high standard one after the other.
If you like Loudon Wainwright you’ll enjoy it. If you like big band music you’ll enjoy it, and if you like glorious musicianship you’ll enjoy it.
A class act.