Rufus Wainwright, folk aesthetic and singer-songwriter protests in ‘Folkocracy’

It’s been a while since the race rufus car master Between alternating cycles and operas, classical approaches, and his final return to Judy Garland, this Montreal-raised New Yorker turns out to be just delivering. two pop albums in ten years (“Out of the game”, 2012 and “Stop following the rules”, 2020). In this case, it is necessary to include his new work, “Folkocracy”spilled over a field, popular song and acoustic touchhas put an end to its production since its establishment.

The public is in the genetic code of the artist, who is the son of both poets, Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. There’s a kind of sanctuary in safe (and unsigned) material here, and the songwriter Wainwright appears to be nowhere near as intimidating as he was 20 years ago. Was Rufus, who was tortured and drugged back then, a cooler creator? Although it is a mature version, it certainly is. happy family man (She’s about to turn 50) hasn’t lost her instinct to shape exquisite albums, a little more refined every day, starting with her own singing, filled with lovely details and impeccable execution.

community spirit

“Folcocracy”, from its name, proclaims a people’s democracy, where Wainwright shines by modeling a songbook he admires and shares the limelight with many guests. The work of a certain community spirit and with a veiled political background: beyond the beautiful voices and careful range of instrumentation, this is also protest song recording.

A few black voices can parade here (From John Legend to Chakha Khan, featured on the traditional southern track ‘Cotton-eyed Joe’) already conveys a message and the choice of ‘Down in the willow garden’ as the first single; Appalachian. What about the Hawaiian song ‘Kaulana na pua’ interpreted in that language, a lament for the loss of sovereignty of the islands and an anti-American anthem. Just as it is, ‘Going to a town’, which is, in its own way, the only ‘self’ cover of the album, anohny (ex Antony).

A recording of acoustic guitars, mandolins and violins, but not only that, it combines invasions of bluegrass (Neil Young’s ‘Harvest’) with another sound: the sunny, rather folk-pop echoes of ‘Twelve-thirty’. Coming to Canyon by The Mamas and the Papas (in chorus, Susanna Hoffs, Sheryl Crow and Chris StillsStephen Stills’ son), the theatrical detour of ‘Black gold’ at the hands of his beloved mentor Van Dyke Parksand in tandem david byrne dreamy ‘On a rocky ledge’ (by poet, musician and inventor Moondog). The corners of a mosaic-shaped album, with prominent reliefs, are important and pleasant, but not among the author’s major works. Jordi Bianciotto

Other albums of the week

fifth solo LP former Rilo Kiley frontman It was born in response to a virtual challenge launched by Beck during the pandemic. Forced to compose a song every day according to certain rules, Lewis finally started composing a song. a collection of homogeneous yet texture-rich backgrounds (country-pop, Americana, indie rock and even disco in ‘Cherry baby’) he tackles the challenges of middle age with lyrical wit and enviable optimism. Rafael Tapounet

After ‘Razón de son’ (2014) and ‘La raíz eléctrica (2017), Sevillian musician and anthropologist closes a circle that achieves a magical synthesis with accent shifted towards Africanism. The exuberant songbook, with its dreamlike landscape and wonderful temperament, where it crosses its unique instrument, three flamingoswith kora, balafon and ngoniIt achieves its ultimate goal of taking us to an imaginary country beyond time and space, with unique flavors. JB

A jazz and history student, young trumpeter Joan Mar Sauque He searches with love in the drawers that no one looks at anymore, finds the jewels that no one remembers, and displays them again in miniature form. inside that trio’s second album Duke Ellington has some mischief or Sinatra or Peggy Lee’s hits, just here trumpet, guitar and double bass but without missing anything. Clarity, good sound and ‘feel’ golden shine to make melodies. Without clichés, but without the pretense of reinventing the swing wheel, it’s short and to the feet: classic in the best sense. Roger Rock