Album 1

Loudon Wainwright was a wanabee actor turned songwriter, who debuted with this album, in 1970. And what a stack of songs!Wainwright's first two LPs were acoustic guitar/vocals, and starker than his mid 70's output, which was propelled by 'Dead Skunk.)Still going stronger than ever, now in his early 60's, and still singing about getting old, I can't help but note that the first line of the first song of his first LP is "In Delaware when I was younger" (he must have been all of 23.)Wainwright has mixed up comedy, irony and tragedy, tenderness and brutal honesty throughout his career, and if his late material tends more toward the tender and honest, go back to 1970 and check out songs like the brutally sad 'Hospital Lady', or the pull-no-punches 'Four is a Magic Number' or 'Glad to See You've Got Religion' ("Everytime I sit you down to tell you what is true / For safety's sake remember please, I would shutup if I knew.")'Black Uncle Remus' would probably not even be released today ("You start calling for Jesus or your mama maybe / When your life's gummed up in the old tar baby")This is not Loudon's best album, but with such an avalanche of classics to choose from, that means little ('History', 'More Love Songs', 'Last Man on Earth') - but it is the best of his early works.

great CD

thanks

Now I have albums I and II on CD, can life get any better.Time to buy a couple of bottles of wine, take phone off hook and chill out for rest of evening listening to both albums.

No problems.

thanks for getting it to me so fast! great service and good music! would recomend again!

I first heard this when it was released and became a huge fan. Loudon has a unique style and song writing technique that is humorous and endearing. His work continues to excel. Great first ( or any ) album!

I was turned on to this album in 1970 by a friend, Jay Pink, days after it came out and am glad to see it finally released on CD. This is my favorite Loudon CD by far, closely followed by Album II. The reason is that it is just Loudon and guitar and the songs are so unique. No band here to mess things up. If you have ever caught Loudon live, you will know he is at his best with just guitar and vocals. The songs are first rate with "School Days", "Black Uncle Remus", and "Uptown" being among my favorite songs. If you are accustomed to only his novelty songs, you may not like this CD, however, you might. I think it is one of the best and most underrated CD's of the 1970's.