He’s been called “the greatest songwriter of our time,” and Rufus Wainwright did not disappoint, taking the stripped down stage to showcase his raw talents. With only a piano and acoustic guitar to accompany him, Wainwright played a set of familiar classics and songs from his latest masterpiece, Out of the Game.
“Maybe I should have chosen a different title for my comeback record,” he jokes with the crowd. Out of the Game was produced by the renowned Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse) and as Wainwright put it, “was supposed to be huge.” While half-heartedly joking, he was absolutely right.
Three songs into the evening’s set, Wainwright switches from piano and goes into the two highlights of the evening—the title track from his latest opus “Out of the Game,” and into what is quite possibly the best song of his career, the ’70s cabaret, roadhouse gem, “Jericho.” This is where Wainwright really shines and his one of a kind voice reminds us that there are true originals in the current bloated music scene.
Another highlight of the evening was a moving story about how Wainwright first met the late, great Jeff Buckley.
Buckley stormed onto the scene around the same time that Wainwright was first getting started. Everyone was going to see Buckley and raving about his shows. “I hated him,” Wainwright joked. A short time later the two actually “hung out and had several drinks.” Wainwright spoke sincerely of how kind and brilliant Buckley was and that they would soon become friends, only to find out that Buckley would pass a few weeks later.
Both Wainwright and Buckley covered Leonard Cohen’s classic “Hallelujah”and both are incredibly inspiring and unique in their own right. Wainwright played the song with such compassion and heart that I swear the entire sold out Davies Symphony Hall was holding back the tears.
Other highlights from the set included the fan favorite “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” “California,” and a breathtaking version of “Memphis Skyline.”
