So, here's the thing. I'm a hag. A fabulous, unapologetic, screaming mad fan of gay pride. Half the boys I had crushes on before the age of 25 turned out to be gay. Don't bother asking why, because I don't know. It just sort of IS.
It kind of goes without saying that growing up, I was a massive fan of Elton John and Freddie Mercury.
I posted a few videos of Mika a while back (have since deleted because that post, like this, was a throwaway). Mika's sort of my latest imaginary Entourage Boy (that nod's to you, Mungular). But Mika--well, he's just a flavor of the moment. I don't see a lot of longevity there.
He'll never take the chamber of my heart occupied by my darling Rufus Wainwright. A few years back, a friend won tickets to a show of his and couldn't go. She gave them to me. I went with an icky Match.com date, but that's not the point. I fell absolutely, abjectly, head-over-heels with this darling, witty, catty, brilliant talent.
Rufus is the son of Canadian folk royalty (I know, I know; you didn't know there was such a thing): Loudon Wainwright III, and Kate McGarrigle. His sister Martha is a wonderful musician in her own right.
He can be an acquired taste (which is to say, I am not allowed to play his CDs when Mr. Remedy is in the house), but oh, how I adore him.
First, here's a cover:
Across the Universe (with Sean Lennon and Moby)
Next, one of his own compositions that slays me with a lance through the heart every time I hear it. "He asked me what my favorite work of art was...and never could I tell him it was Him." Gah! Sob!
The Art Teacher
A Rufus show is never short on camp. See Exhibit Z (usually the show-closer).
Oh What A World
Probably my favorite composition in his catalog so far: "Cigarettes and chocolate milk; these are just a couple of my cravings. Everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger, a little bit thicker, a little bit harmful for me."
Preach on, Rufus my honeybun.
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
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Comments
I was cruising down the highway singing along with Want Two this afternoon. Damn fine music.
denese
Thanks for the tunes, fellow hag. Rufus is adorable.
And designator, too...look at all the Rufuslinks on OS already!
Mister Comedy--oh, glory be, that's funny.
Cartouche--Aqueerius, eh? I like it!
Denese, hope I didn't mislead you; there's not a whole lot of Freddy in Rufus beyond the theatricality!
Great show.
Loved this.
My fave is Mr. Izzard, although not gay. I saw him early in the Village when he wore tasteful St. John suits and minimal makeup and spoke French and talked politics and was so brilliant. He still hasn't had the acclaim he deserves.
If I were a contestant on "American Idol," (or if I miraculously became able to carry a tune, I should say), I would sing "Sansoucci," from "Release the Stars." It's such a lovely song.
He is currently penning an opera (!) that is due to have its world premiere in Toronto later this year, I believe...
I think he was in the "I'm Your Man" documentary about Leonard Cohen, yes? That was the first time I really saw him perform, and realized his connection to Kate McGarrigle.
Again, Oh My.
Your eldest half-brother plays with Yoko Ono's nephew in and around Iowa City. A few years back they spent a night in her NYC flat, jamming with Shawn. He was just a kid . He sounds as if he inherited considerably more of his father's talent than Julian, in my opinion.
--rated--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPtBjE0Qb5I
Juliet, what a scoop that must have been!
Rated... for Americans appreciating our beloved Canadian idols.
A few months later he had an album and a few years later big celbrities like Michael Stipe were praising his talent.
And let me add that Martha totally rocks in her own right too.
rated.
I was so intently listening to these that my husband (a musician) came in from the other room and said, "what's wrong with you? I've been yelling for 20 minutes now. WHO IS THAT GUY?"
denese
There I was with an incurable Kelly Clarkson earworm, and Wainright to the rescue!
Love, love that song. Yummy.
Great post VR, thanks!
Also, he and Ben Folds did a delicious cover of "Careless Whisper." A must-hear.
My theory: gay boy singers (or campy queens) appeal because they get to keep being the romance-lust-dream-swish-and-swirl dancing on the grass-spinning with our arms thrown out-singing-emotionally open adolescent girls we've had to leave behind or sequester.
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