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Whilst most of the world was
nursing a hangover on New Year's Day 2000, Loudon Wainwright
was appearing that morning on national Dutch Television, starring
in a light classical concert. Througout the two hour show, Loudon
kept popping up to sing a song here and there.
He began with 'Road Ode', talking about a new road for a new
millennium. Also mentioned the line about some clubs he's
played in being like a toilet, whereas this place (a very lavish
concert hall) was more like a living room. The song was
lustily accompanied by the assembled orchestra (trumpets, clarinets,
bassoons, violins, double bass - you name it) and the rendition
was very unlike any one you have ever heard. Loudon's guitar
was almost completely drowned out by the cacophany of noise.
Crazy, but in a strange way, quite enjoyable.
Loudon's second song was 'I Am The Way'. Said "that 2000 years ago
in Bethleham, later Jerusalem, things started to happen with
this swinging guy, eh - what's his name? - he had a birthday
last week." He urged people to either singalong ("or
clapalong if you've got a hangover"), and everyone, both
audience and orchestra, seemed to have fun with this one.
Then a NEW song called 'The Last Day' which he said he wrote yesterday. He talked about
celebrating the last day as well as the first day, that it was
just as important because you're thinking ahead, making promises
and plans for resolutions. It was a truly beautiful song
and very well complemented by the orchestra. Up to Loudon's
usual high standard, with wistful lyrics and a spinechilling
melody.
Back to familiar territory for
'Five
Years Old'. Commenting
on the millennium parties, he made the link to Birthday parties,
and (remarking on the number of young people in the audience),
said that one of the most important is your fifth birthday. Once
again there was an orchestral backing.
For the big finale, Loudon reappeared
to give us 'Road
Ode' yet again, and he
played it as the titles rolled. Every musician joined in,
a sort of musical 'free for all', with even a portly tenor singer
in a dinner suit having a go at 'singing-along-with-Loudo.'
A truly weird Loudon gig. One
thing I though was funny was the way he often came on stage.
Usually he 'followed' after an instrumental piece of classical
music, so as it was fading out, Loudon would weave his way through
the orchestra, strumming his guitar like a wandering minstral
to announce his return to the stage.
Loudon seemed to have his work
cut out getting a response from the audience, although he worked
very hard at it, constantly smiling, joking and cajoling. Whether
they were very hungover, or whether they didn't know what to
make of him, I don't know. I guess he would have rather
have done a proper concert, than constantly duck and dive on
and off the stage throughout the morning.
True to form (Loudon / Secret
tourwise), there was no mention of Loudon in any of the TV information
guides advertising the concert. As for why he repeated
the same song ('Road Ode') at the end, I wonder was he thinking
aloud:), asking "why do I go out on the road?" |
