I love this guy! Often, he's an orchestral approach to his songwriting that I appreciate, so this
thread is a celebration of a unique talent that I wish had more shine.

Good to see that there is another Rufus fan here.

I really loved his version of Cohen's 'Hallelujah' and I think I have to get to know his work better, 'cause lately he stole my heart singing 'New York State of Mind'. When I found that performance, wow, just wow. Peanut butter banana shake with vanilla.

^

Nice!

gandorb said:

Good to see that there is another Rufus fan here.

He's an acquired taste.

I bought some stuff from Abercrombie & Fitch back in 1998 and was given a free CD with his song
"April Fools" on it. Slowly but surely, I fell in love with his voice (which is still kinda annoying for me
at times).

Dasein said:

gandorb said:

Good to see that there is another Rufus fan here.

He's an acquired taste.

I bought some stuff from Abercrombie & Fitch back in 1998 and was given a free CD with his song
"April Fools" on it. Slowly but surely, I fell in love with his voice (which is still kinda annoying for me
at times).

Yes, his voice can be gorgeous at times and annoying at others. I have his first 5 or so CDs but then he seemed to get more self-indulgent, which is saying a lot. Nevertheless, he has made some great songs and albums and represents a unique sound in my music collection.

Hello - another Rufus fan here.

Karo - a couple of Youtube suggestions:

Careless Whisper with Ben Folds

Complainte de la Butte with Chris Stills

Wrapped around your finger with Sting

Especially love his collaborations

gandorb said:

Dasein said:

He's an acquired taste.

I bought some stuff from Abercrombie & Fitch back in 1998 and was given a free CD with his song
"April Fools" on it. Slowly but surely, I fell in love with his voice (which is still kinda annoying for me
at times).

Yes, his voice can be gorgeous at times and annoying at others. I have his first 5 or so CDs but then he seemed to get more self-indulgent, which is saying a lot. Nevertheless, he has made some great songs and albums and represents a unique sound in my music collection.

I agree with this post and everything in it 100%.

Greek Song is my favorite song of his. Just adore it.

love Rufus, seen him live twice, fantastic shows. Favourite song Go or Go Ahead

favourite album Release The Stars

"Poses" and "Release The Stars" are my favourites. His last album "Out of the Game" was not bad either. Must be due a new album soon surely?

his early albums are pretty solid
really some exellent songs

"go or go ahead" once made me crash my bike

I still play "going to a town" live

Always resonates

Toofunkyinhere said:

"Poses" and "Release The Stars" are my favourites.

Agreed.

That pop-opera stuff he did most recently is too self-indulgent and over the top for me.

Not for nothing, but Rufus hits on me from time to time around the old hometown.

More to the point of the thread, though: He's alright, but I find I can take him only in measured doses. I saw him perform live as part of a Joni Mitchell tribute concert a few years back, and I felt he alternately destroyed her "All I Want" and "Free Man in Paris" with his melodrama, but gave up a radiant version of her "Slouching Toward Bethlehem" inbetween.

He's also pretty engaging live. He told some really funny stories about how his mother, Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle, jealously banned Joni's music from his childhood household.

[Edited 5/16/17 15:45pm]

Dawns on me, by the way, that fans who are into Rufus' orchestral sound might also dig fellow Canadian composer/singer Owen Pallett.

Lammastide said:

Dawns on me, by the way, that fans who are into Rufus' orchestral sound might also dig fellow Canadian composer/singer Owen Pallett.

Ah yes, the He Poos Clouds guy. I like some of Andrew Bird's stuff too, who can be orchestral as
well.

. . . and let me find out you and Rufus Wainwright were flirting with each other!

Lammastide said:

Dawns on me, by the way, that fans who are into Rufus' orchestral sound might also dig fellow Canadian composer/singer Owen Pallett.

Thanks for the recommendation. Never heard of him but will definitely check him out.