Loudon Wainwright III in Decatur, Georgia, June 2024

We who attended are eager to have him return as soon as he can

Loudon Wainwright III enthusiastically performed sets of his songs and monologues on Saturday, June 29, and Sunday June 30, 2024, at Decatur, Georgia’s Eddie’s Attic, a venue known for its support of singer-songwriters, folk acts, and blues artists. Wainwright, who was 77 at the time, fits within those genres while adding a unique comedic element. Since his self-titled debut was released in 1970, he has written about himself and his relationships, oftentimes illuminating his youthful family experiences and those of his adulthood with equally insightful and often frank lyrics.

I first discovered Wainwright in the used folk section of Wuxtry Records on North Decatur Road in Decatur in the late 1990s. I am a fan of English folk rock, and among those I revere is Richard Thompson, the onetime lead guitarist in Fairport Convention and later of the duo Richard and Linda Thompson. Thompson is listed as the producer along with Wainwright on the latter’s 1985 album, “I’m Alright”, his first Grammy-nominated album. The cover drew my attention with Wainwright’s photograph, looking out a window to his right with a cigar in his mouth.

“One Man Guy” leads off the record, a song saluting social withdrawal that seems equally solemn and defiant. It is also tonally mournful to my ears. Following my purchase of the record, these qualities certainly piqued my interest when first I heard the tune. Accompanied by only his acoustic guitar, the song presents the singer/guitarist/writer as he usually performs in concert, unadorned and starkly revealing.

“I don’t know why I’m a one-man guy/Or why this is a one-man show/But these three cubic feet of blood and bone and meat/Are what I love and know,” sings Wainwright.

The song is both a declaration and an introspective clarification, written from Wainwright’s own perspective during a transitional period in his career after he moved from the United States to England. “I’m Alright” was recorded in London.

Many of the other songs on the album resonate with me. “Not John” eulogizes John Lennon, “How Old Are You?” pokes at the relevance of an aging artist, and my second favorite song on the record, “Cardboard Boxes” features lively percussion, detailing the dilemmas of moving to a new home. The title song is a comical blues that lists all of the singer’s activities following a recent breakup. Thompson adds wiry slide guitar supporting the track. Something in Wainwright’s voice, his attitude, and his sense of humor made him an exciting new find for me, and I quickly became a completist fan.

As I have been enjoying his music for over a quarter century, I have been lucky enough to see him perform live a handful of times. Each show has included songs that have become favorites, and this two night stand at Eddie’s Attic was no exception. When he gingerly entered the listening room at the sold-out venue to receptive applause, I wondered if he would be as enthusiastic as I recalled from past experiences. Sure enough, his trademark, self-effacing humor was on display as he joked about the early start time of six o’clock, a time more appropriate for a birthday party entertainer instead of a legendary songwriter/performer.

That Saturday night set featured a mix of favorites and some newer tunes. “Bein’ A Dad”, from 1997’s “Little Ship” is an illuminating ditty showcasing the realities of parental responsibilities and experiences, an area Wainwright has mined throughout much of his output. This led to “Come A Long Way”, a song by his ex-wife McGarrigle. He also featured the hilarious tune “Fam Vac” from his 2022 release, “Lifetime Achievement”, espousing a vacation from his family rather than with it. It drew howls from the audience with each new verse.

Empowered by this, Wainwright then delved into a humorous, spoken composition about his impending memorial service and what details he would like included. This mordant spiel originated from his autobiography from 2017, “Liner Notes”. It elicited much laughter from attendees. To balance out the humor, he played “Primrose Hill”, a somber tune from a homeless person’s perspective also from “Little Ship”.

Wainwright’s concert that Sunday was equally entertaining. I am eager to see him in concert again as soon as possible. You should plan as well to see him before his memorial service joke is a reality.

©2024, 2025 Alex McGill