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Want Two

 
Album Review: Want Two
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Want Two

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  • Artist: Rufus Wainwright
  • Rating: StarStarStarStar
  • Release Date: November 16, 2004
  • Type: Lyrics are included with the album, Contains explicit content
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Picking up where Want One left off, Rufus Wainwright's Want Two is a deeply introspective, sometimes kinky, and often personally critical set of mini-operettas that ruminate on his various relationships, drug abuse, and image in the media. Metaphorically liturgical and often classical in sound, Want Two touches on such interrelated themes as love, loneliness, sin, and sacrifice. It's more focused than Want One and as such packs more of a wallop both musically and emotionally. On the cover of Want One, Wainwright appeared as a chivalrous knight in armor, bringing to mind the conquering crusader -- Sir Gawain the gay knight? Conversely, on Want Two he appears as a dark-haired maiden -- the suicidal Ophelia? The imagery not only speaks to the campy and loaded cliché of the male-and-female, yin-and-yang drive of the gay male persona, but more importantly how one's personal desires are often sacrificed because of public successes. Never one to shy away from personal issues, Wainwright deals explicitly with how his sexuality has affected his life and career, not merely as a gay man but as a burgeoning gay icon with a complex desire to both embrace and ignore all that entails. This is no more apparent than on the album centerpiece, the iconoclastic "Gay Messiah," in which Wainwright both mocks gay pop culture and laments his ability to live up to his fan base's desire for a artistic hero in the culture wars. He sings, "He will be reborn/From 1970s porn/Wearing tube socks with style/And such an innocent smile," and later, "No it will not be me/Rufus the Baptist I be." Similarly, on the opening track, "Agnus Dei," he croons, "Agnus dei/Qui tollis peccata mundi/Dona nobis pacem." Translated it means, "Lamb of God/Who takest away the sins of the world/Grant us peace." It's Wainwright's most direct plea for both personal and public absolution and helps leave the impression of an artist attempting to find emotional buoyancy in the often perilous waters of both the music business and the dating scene. Musically, Wainwright has never seemed more in command of his muse. References to Nilsson, Brian Wilson, and Randy Newman are a matter of course, but Wainwright's growth as a pop craftsman with his own unique lyrical voice -- both conceptually and literally -- makes such comparisons unnecessary. To these ends, lush string orchestras, cheery choirs, and piping horn sections decorate the impeccably scored album and perfectly complement Wainwright's swooning vocals. Taken as a whole, Want One and Want Two work well together as a sprawling and ambitious double album that is camp, serious, and utterly compelling. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Tracks



CD 1

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Agnus Dei Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (5:45)
The One You Love Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:44)
Peach Trees (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (5:59)
Little Sister (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:22)
The Art Teacher [Live] Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:51)
Hometown Waltz (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (2:33)
This Love Affair (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:13)
Gay Messiah (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:14)
Memphis Skyline (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (4:51)
Waiting for a Dream (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (4:14)
Crumb By Crumb (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (4:13)
Old Whore's Diet (Lyrics) Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright, Antony (8:54)


CD 2

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
Intro [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (1:26)
L' Absence [DVD][Live] Hector Berlioz Rufus Wainwright (4:34)
Harvester of Hearts [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright Rufus Wainwright (3:39)
Natasha [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (3:24)
The Art Teacher [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (4:34)
Hallelujah [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (4:21)
Matinee Idol [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (2:58)
Vibrate [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (3:16)
Gay Messiah [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (4:16)
Want [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (5:27)
Greek Song [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (3:51)
Foolish [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (5:35)
I Don't Know What It Is [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (5:40)
Dinner at Eight [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (5:00)
Beautiful Child [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (6:17)
Oh What a World [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (4:13)
Liberty Cabbage [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (4:55)
California [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (3:28)
As in Happy [DVD][Live] Rufus Wainwright (3:40)
Credits [DVD] Rufus Wainwright (1:34)

Credits

Van Dyke Parks (Orchestral Arrangements), Charlie Sexton (Guitar (Electric)), Julianna Raye (Vocals), Guillame Bengle (Live Recording), Andy Bradfield (Engineer), Andy Bradfield (Mixing), Martin Brumbach (Engineer), Sterling Campbell (Drums), Marius de Vries (Keyboards), Marius de Vries (Programming), Marius de Vries (Producer), Marius de Vries (Engineer), Marius de Vries (Vibraphone), Marius de Vries (Orchestral Arrangements), Roger Greenawalt (Banjo), Roger Greenawalt (Ukulele), Isobel Griffiths (Orchestra Contractor), Isobel Griffiths (Horn Conductor), Levon Helm (Drums), Julia Kent (Cello), Anna McGarrigle (Accordion), Anna McGarrigle (Vocals (Background)), Jenni Muldaur (Vocals), Suzzy Roche (Vocals), Andy Taub (Engineer), David Theodore (Oboe), Gavyn Wright (Orchestra Leader), Cenovia Cummins (Violin), Christopher Cardona (Violin), Jane Scarpantoni (Cello), Kate McGarrigle (Banjo), Kate McGarrigle (Vocals (Background)), Antoine Silverman (Violin), Antoine Silverman (Principal), Martha Wainwright (Violin), Martha Wainwright (Vocals), Martha Wainwright (Vocals (Background)), Rufus Wainwright (Guitar (Acoustic)), Rufus Wainwright (Piano), Rufus Wainwright (Keyboards), Rufus Wainwright (Vocals), Rufus Wainwright (Vocals (Background)), Rufus Wainwright (Producer), Rufus Wainwright (Design), Rufus Wainwright (Orchestral Arrangements), Rufus Wainwright (Cover Art), Joan Wasser (Violin), Tom Schick (Engineer), Zaldy (Stylist), Gary Thomas (Orchestra), Gary Thomas (Engineer), Janet Wolsborn (Design), Kevin Metcalfe (Mastering), Juliann Klopotic (Violin), Jacquelyn McKeever (Engineer), Yelena Yemchuk (Photography), Alexis Smith (Programming), Rob Burger (Organ (Hammond)), Gary Leonard (Guitar), Gary Leonard (Guitar (Electric)), Jeanne Venton (A&R), Rob Shearer (Live Recording), Teddy Thompson (Vocals), Matt Johnson (Drums), Leona Naess (Vocals (Background)), Alison Gordon (Viola), Beth Halper (A&R), Anja Wood (Cello), Anja Wood (Principal), Maxim Moston (Violin), Maxim Moston (Concert Master), Maxim Moston (Orchestral Arrangements), Jeff Hill (Bass), Gerald Decock (Hair Stylist), Alexandra Knoll (Oboe), David Sapadin (Clarinet), Daniel Shelly (Bassoon), Kathryn Lockwood (Viola), Lily Lanken (Recorder), Lily Lanken (Vocals (Background)), Danielle Farina (Viola), Danielle Farina (Principal), Robelio Pérez (Mixing), Sophie Solomon (Violin)
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Wikipedia: Want Two
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Want Two
Studio album by Rufus Wainwright
Released November 16, 2004
Recorded Bearsville Studios, Woodstock, NYC; also London
Genre Pop, Rock
Length 54:08
Label Geffen
Producer Marius De Vries
Rufus Wainwright
Professional reviews
Rufus Wainwright chronology
Want One
(2003)		 Want Two
(2004)		 Release the Stars
(2007)
Singles from Want Two
  1. "The One You Love"
    Released: February 28, 2005 (UK)

Want Two is the fourth album by American-Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. The album was released on November 16, 2004. Four of the tracks on this album were released in the summer of 2004 as the EP Waiting for a Want on the iTunes music store.

Want Two is, according to Wainwright, the darker sibling of 2003's Want One - its subject matter concerned with "the world we live in" (RW Geffen Bio) after Want One's focus on the intensely personal. The artist's song selections here show his range to be broad, veering from romantic ballad ("Peach Trees") to tragic ballad ("This Love Affair"), sophisticated pop ("The One You Love") to third person/first person narrative lament ("The Art Teacher"), personal tongue in cheek manifesto ("Gay Messiah"), to classical pop hybrid ("Memphis Skyline") and songs beyond category. "Agnus Dei" is used in the trailer for the 2007 film Trade.

Mother Kate McGarrigle and aunt Anna (McGarrigle) both perform and sing on "Hometown Waltz". Antony Hegarty of 2005 Mercury Prize winners Antony and the Johnsons sings lead vocal alongside Wainwright on "Old Whore's Diet". The initial UK version of the record contains bonus live tracks, "Coeur de Parisienne - Reprise d'Arletty" and "Quand vous mourez de nos amours" (written by French Canadian songwriter Gilles Vigneault).

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Agnus Dei" – 5:45
  2. "The One You Love" – 3:44
  3. "Peach Trees" – 5:59
  4. "Little Sister" – 3:22
  5. "The Art Teacher" – 3:51
  6. "Hometown Waltz" – 2:33
  7. "This Love Affair" – 3:13
  8. "Gay Messiah" – 3:14
  9. "Memphis Skyline" – 4:51
  10. "Waiting for a Dream" – 4:14
  11. "Crumb by Crumb" – 4:13
  12. "Old Whore's Diet" – 9:09
  13. "Coeur de Parisienne — Reprise d'Arletty" (live) (UK & EU bonus track) – 2:46
  14. "Quand vous mourez de nos amours" (live) (UK bonus track) - 3.23
  15. "Chelsea Hotel, No. 2" (live) (bonus track on Want)
  16. "In with the Ladies" (bonus track on Want)

Live at the Fillmore DVD

  1. "DVD Intro" – 1:26
  2. "L'Absence" – 4:00
  3. "14th Street" – 4:33
  4. "Harvester of Hearts" – 2:41
  5. "Natasha" – 3:24
  6. "The Art Teacher" – 3:34
  7. "Hallelujah" – 4:22
  8. "Matinee Idol" – 2:58
  9. "Vibrate" – 3:17
  10. "Gay Messiah" – 4:17
  11. "Want" – 5:27
  12. "Greek Song" – 3:52
  13. "Foolish Love" – 5:35
  14. "I Don't Know What It Is" – 5:40
  15. "Dinner at Eight" – 5:00
  16. "Beautiful Child" – 6:28
  17. "Oh What a World" – 4:13
  18. "Liberty Cabbage" – 4:56
  19. "California" – 3:28
  20. "As in Happy" – 3:40
  21. "DVD Credits" – 1:35

Personnel

  • Rufus Wainwright – voice (1-12), piano (1-7,9,10), additional vocals (2,3,8,11), acoustic guitar (2,3,8,11), keyboards (11), orchestral arrangements (1,4,7,9-11)
  • Sophie Solomon – violin (1)
  • Pit Hermans – cimbalom (1)
  • Marius de Vries – keyboards (1,10,11), vibraphone (3,9), programming (2-4,8,9-11), orchestral arrangements (1,4,7,9-11)
  • Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor (1,4,9,11), horn contractor (5,10)
  • Gavyn Wright – orchestral leader (1,4,9,11)
  • Martha Wainwright – additional vocals (2,3,6,8,12), violin (6)
  • Gerry Leonard – electric guitar (2,3), guitars (9)
  • Charlie Sexton – electric guitar (2,3)
  • Jeff Hill – bass (2,3,8-12), additional vocals (12)
  • Levon Helm – drums (2)
  • Roberto Rodriguez – percussion (3)
  • Sterling Campbell – drums (3,9)
  • Matt Johnson – drums (3,8)
  • Kate McGarrigle – additional vocals (6), banjo (6)
  • Anna McGarrigle – additional vocals (6), accordion (6)
  • Lily Lanken – additional vocals (6), recorder (6)
  • Brad Albetta – bass (6)
  • Maxim Moston – violin (7,10,12), concertmaster (7,10), orchestral arrangements (1,4,7,9-11)
  • Antoine Silverman – violin (7,10)
  • Joan Wasser – violin (7,10), viola (12)
  • Julianne Klopotic – violin (7,10)
  • Vivienne Kim – violin (7,10)
  • Fiona Murray – violin (7,10)
  • Cenovia Cummins – violin (7,10)
  • Christopher Cardona – violin (7,10)
  • Danielle Farina – viola (7,10)
  • Alison Gordon – viola (7,10)
  • Eric Hammelman – viola (7,10)
  • Kathryn Lockwood – viola (7,10)
  • Anja Wood – cello (7,10)
  • Jane Scarpantoni – cello (7,10)
  • Julia Kent – cello (7,10,12)
  • Carlo Pellettieri – cello (7,10)
  • Troy Rinker Jr – bass (7,10)
  • Alexandra Knoll – oboe (7)
  • David Sapadin – clarinet (7)
  • Daniel Shelly – bassoon (7)
  • Teddy Thompson – additional vocals (8,12)
  • Jenni Muldaur – additional vocals (8)
  • Suzzy Roche – additional vocals (8)
  • Leona Naess – additional vocals (11)
  • David Theodore – oboe (11)
  • Rob Burger – Hammond organ (11)
  • Gina Gershon – Jew's harp (11)
  • Antony – voice (12)
  • Julianna Raye – additional vocals (12)
  • Roger Greenawalt – ukulele (12), banjo (12)
  • Steven Wolf – djembe (12), tambourine (12), additional programming (12)
  • Alexis Smith – programming (2-4,8-11)
  • Van Dyke Parks – orchestral arrangements (1,4,7,9-11)
  • Jack McKeever – engineer

Chart positions

Chart (2004) Peak
position
French Album Chart[1] 160
Netherlands Album Chart[2] 68
Portuguese Album Chart[3] 30
UK Albums Chart[4] 21
U.S. Billboard 200[5] 103

Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2005 Want Two GLAAD Media Award - Outstanding Music Artist Nominated
Juno Award - Adult Alternative Album of the Year Nominated

External links

References

  1. ^ Rufus Wainwright French Charting Retrieved on October 13, 2008
  2. ^ Rufus Wainwright Dutch Charting Retrieved on October 13, 2008
  3. ^ "Portuguese Charts". PortugueseCharts.com. http://portuguesecharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=Rufus+Wainwright. Retrieved on 2008-10-13. 
  4. ^ www.everyhit.com Note: Must search: Rufus Wainwright, Retrieved October 13, 2008
  5. ^ Rufus Wainwright American Charting – Billboard 200 Retrieved on October 13, 2008
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Rufus Wainwright
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Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Want Two".  Read more

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