Jeff Potts
Being relatively new to Cincinnati (here less than 2 years), I find it hard to regularly find information about any arts related subjects which do not fit into the mainstream.
With that said, I was exited that Rufus Wainright's new album was reviewed, but immensely disappointed with a sophomoric review of what is perhaps the best debut album of the last 50 years in the pop music field.
Now I admit that I am a Canadian and that I staunchly support Canadian music to a fault, but Rufus Wainright has perhaps single handedly given pop music a new focus and direction here in America.
Rufus’ background is widely diverse and full of what makes an artist great regardless of his commercial success. Father; Louden Wainright the acclaimed folkie turned satirist and song writer for NPR, his mother; Anna Mcgarrigles , half of the Montreal based, world renown folk duo, the Mcgarrigles Sisters. Now with parents like this, Rufus’ music is nothing short of genius.
>From the Saturday Night Magazine, and I quote: He came out when he was fourteen, when he had his first sexual experience, although his mother didn't fully accept his homosexuality until he was nearly eighteen. He loved travelling in Montreal's demi-monde, an experience that fed into some of the strongest songs on his album. He had a love affair with a heterosexual ex-junkie named Danny, a relationship filled with Wagnerian highs and lows. On "Foolish Love" he describes its intensity ("I twist like a corkscrew, the sweetness rising/I drink from the bottle weeping/Why won't you last?") against a dense backdrop of vibes, marimba, accordion, and a string section. A romantic one-night stand with a seventeen-year-old junkie was transformed into a plaintive ballad, "In My Arms: "Looking at hospitals Victorian/Feeling as helpless as the Elephant Man/Wish you were here to chain you up without shame/In my arms tonight."
Now, to the reason for my revue. Cincinnati is a widely known place not to visit if you are gay! My wife and I were appalled when we moved here to find out that the local law says that you can be denied housing based upon sexual orientation. Let’s jump out of the dark ages people. Rufus is openly gay, perhaps that is why he is not performing in Cincinnati, but is performing in nearly every other city in the area.
Until Cincinnati wakes up, I’ll give my entertainment dollars gladly to Columbus, Louisville, Lexington and Dayton.
Comments welcomed . . .