Loudo at the Sage

Loudon Wainwright III
The Sage,
Gateshead

DEATH, decay and family anguish are like meat and drink to American songsmith Loudon Wainwright III.

But from the base metal of often troubled relationships, Wainwright fashions songwriting gold, shot through with his trademark black humour.

Wainwright played a blinder for his adoring Tyneside fans, mixing passion and pathos, in songs exploring everything from the global recession to airport staff smashing his precious Martin acoustic guitar.

Tracks from his forthcoming album, High, Wide & Handsome, based on itinerant country singer, Charlie Poole, were aired, plus a selection of new songs, the highlight being Song in C, about the hereditary nature of family heartache, Wainwright pounding out the chords on a Steinway grand piano.

The audience called him back for two encores, including the classic The Man Who Couldn't Cry and a clap-along version of The Swimming Song, bringing a brilliant concert to a memorable end.

Terry Kelly
25/07/09

Loudon Wainwright III, The Sage, Gateshead; Friday, July 24:

My Mother And My Sweetheart
Dead Man's Desk etc(???)
Times Is Hard
Heaven
Half-Fist
Five Years Old
Be Careful, There's a Baby In the House ("written before I had children of my own, when I knew better!")
Fear Itself
High Wide & Handsome
Red Guitar
Song In C
Dreadnought(?)
Didn't he Ramble
New Paint
Double Lifetime
Grey in L.A.
Daughter
Primrose Hill
Middle of the Night
first encore)
White Winos - a shouted request
Surviving Twin
second encore)
The Man Who Couldn't Cry
The Swimming Song