Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The best album of Loudon Wainwright III's career, History features a mix of the humorous and the serious, the autobiographical and the observational, the rockin' and the balladic, all wrapped up in some classy arrangements. There is a mood of personal reflection hanging over the entire proceeding, inspired by the death of Wainwright's father, a noted American writer and editor. "People in Love" kicks the whole thing off with one of Wainwright's trademark observations on the perils of love. On "Men," the singer quietly discusses the whys and wherefores of male behavior, while "The Picture" is a musical reflection on a picture of Loudon and his sister taken 40 years earlier (and reproduced inside the CD booklet). The album then continues with a clever classic of the satirical talking folk-blues genre, "Talking New Bob Dylan," in which Wainwright, once considered one of the many "new Dylans," salutes the original on his 50th birthday. The last three songs on the album form a powerful triumvirate, with "A Father and a Son" written by a man who is both, and "Sometimes I Forget," an extremely personal ballad about the loss of his own dad. The final track, "A Handful of Dust," was actually written by Loudon Wainwright, Jr. in 1952 and adapted by his son for this recording. For those familiar with Loudon Wainwright III only through his novelty hit "Dead Skunk," or who don't know his work at all, History will come as a revelation. For the small cult of Wainwright fans, its power and poignancy may also come as a wonderful surprise, for it's the album his previous work hinted might be within him. It is his masterpiece.
© Jim Newsom /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133,33/month
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Vocals, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Gould, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - Steve Tubin, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Syd Straw, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Robin Gould, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Parker, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - Chaim Tannenbaum, Banjo, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Vocals, Recording Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - Chaim Tannenbaum, Banjo, Vocals, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Gould, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - Chaim Tannenbaum, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Nichtern, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - ANNA MCGARRIGLE, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - The Roches, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kate McGarrigle, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Nichtern, Acoustic Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Jeffrey Lesser, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Gilbert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Ludwig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Loudon Wainwright III, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - David Mansfield, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Kappus, Producer, Executive Producer - Steve Tubin, Organ, AssociatedPerformer - ANDY GRASSI, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Robin Gould, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Alfred, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Ossola, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Steve McLoughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Michael Cacoso, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cerina Lynn, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1992 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1992 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
The best album of Loudon Wainwright III's career, History features a mix of the humorous and the serious, the autobiographical and the observational, the rockin' and the balladic, all wrapped up in some classy arrangements. There is a mood of personal reflection hanging over the entire proceeding, inspired by the death of Wainwright's father, a noted American writer and editor. "People in Love" kicks the whole thing off with one of Wainwright's trademark observations on the perils of love. On "Men," the singer quietly discusses the whys and wherefores of male behavior, while "The Picture" is a musical reflection on a picture of Loudon and his sister taken 40 years earlier (and reproduced inside the CD booklet). The album then continues with a clever classic of the satirical talking folk-blues genre, "Talking New Bob Dylan," in which Wainwright, once considered one of the many "new Dylans," salutes the original on his 50th birthday. The last three songs on the album form a powerful triumvirate, with "A Father and a Son" written by a man who is both, and "Sometimes I Forget," an extremely personal ballad about the loss of his own dad. The final track, "A Handful of Dust," was actually written by Loudon Wainwright, Jr. in 1952 and adapted by his son for this recording. For those familiar with Loudon Wainwright III only through his novelty hit "Dead Skunk," or who don't know his work at all, History will come as a revelation. For the small cult of Wainwright fans, its power and poignancy may also come as a wonderful surprise, for it's the album his previous work hinted might be within him. It is his masterpiece.
© Jim Newsom /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:46:12
- Main artists: Loudon Wainwright III
- Composer: Loudon Wainwright III
- Label: Virgin Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1992 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1992 Virgin Records Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.