One of the most talented songwriters and consummate performers of his generation, Rufus Wainwright is a true global sensation.
Here, our esteemed guest editor, Stephen Fry shares his favourite Rufus tracks, adding: “Rufus Wainwright has as true a voice as you can hear and as sweet and acute a sensibility as you can imagine. His musicianship combined with his poetic, intelligent and humane outlook on life make for one of the great performers of our day. I adore his singing, his song-writing, everything about him…”
Rufus’ lush, theatrical pop leans heavily on the traditions of cabaret and, more recently, opera. Appropriately, he is about to embark on Five Nights of Velvet, Glamour and Guilt at the Royal Opera House in London where he will be the first solo artist to take up residency.
House of Rufus, a 19 CD box set of his complete works to date plus extensive bonus material, is now available. Order your copy here.
Comments (7)
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Those are easily some of my favorite Rufus songs, and chosen by one of my favorite actors! Thanks for the list!
Most of his favorite tracks are mine too.
Thank you so much for this. I got engaged on 9th December 2009 at the Royal Albert Hall, about 90 seconds before Rufus walked on stage for ‘A NOT SO SILENT NIGHT’. As a result I am getting married this Saturday, 16th July. This is such a treat for fans not only of Rufus or Stephen, but for those who admire (and kind of lust after) both! PLEASE, PLEASE consider doing ‘An evening with….both of you’ (interviewing eachother) that would be heaven!! (I do want free backstage tickets tho for the suggestion) xxxx
Lovely tracks but why nothing from All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu and Release the Stars, both brilliant, if very different, albums. My Rufus playlist would include most of Stars – definitely Going to America/Not Ready For Love/the title track and a good chunk of Lulu. Also Dinner at Eight from Want One – first heard him do this at a concert at Festival Hall with Kate and Anna McGarrigle and Martha W, magic.
A near impossible task, narrowing it to 10. Excellent choices, though I’d have to include “The Dream” and “I don’t know what it is.” And, to indulge my melancholy moods, perhaps “Leaving for Paris No. 2″ and “Martha” for good measure…
cigarettes and chocolate milk rules! love rufus intensely! great list!
Only missing his great song Want on the list.