Loudon's a guy I've been listening to and enjoying for better than 30 odd years, he's released over 20 albums, I have about half of 'em.
One thing that stands out in his music is the total personal honesty, it seems as though he looks for topics to write about in his personal relationships in ways that I can't think of any other artist doing. Most of us would rather keep the details of our private lives private, not Loudon he bares it all. There's about 220 of his songs listed at Spotty, he obviously can write a song about anything under the sun but he chooses include such personal themes, I like his music, his voice and his personality, in fact I like everything about him but I am slightly puzzled by his excessive honesty.
I've chosen half a dozen songs that all deal with his relationships with his wife, Kate McGarrigle and their children, Rufus and Martha and in none of them does he come off as a happy family man. Maybe it's the price to be paid if your art requires you to be alone on the road and away from home for much of every year. Dylan also comes to mind but he doesn't dwell on it's effect to the same degree at all and I can't think of any other similar artist who does; can anyone else, is this a common topic?
Totally off topic I've included a cut that I really like, it's a short personal history of 'folk/pop' music done in the style of 60's Dylan, it's his tribute to Bob for his 50th. in 1991.
4 comments:
Hey gf, looking forward to listening to these tomorrow. Never really heard much (any?) Loudon - and been slightly put off him personality-wise by the picture of him that comes across from his children's songs (I'm thinking "Bloody Motherf***ing A**hole" and "Dinner at Eight"). Maybe it's time I let the man himself have his say...
Bish: Those are by his kids and I haven't heard them but I believe they're right on topic.
Loving these, gf, particularly the duet with Martha. Thanks! bb
finally got round to listening to these GF.
I liked them a lot, that's some seriously personal stuff there, which I like. Not that i'm nosey or anything! cheers
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