Last Man on Earth is the sixteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, released on September 24, 2001 on Red House Records. Recorded in the wake of Wainwright's mother's death and the collapse of a romantic relationship, the album thematically addresses feelings of grief and loneliness.
Portions of the album also reflect upon Wainwright's troubled relationship with his father, Loudon Wainwright, Jr., a subject that has populated many of his earlier recordings. Last Man on Earth can be seen as a companion piece to his 1992 album, History, written after the death of his father.
[edit] Background
In 1997, following his mother's funeral, Wainwright stayed in her home in Katonah, Westchester County for eighteen months. During this time Wainwright wrote much of the album's material.[1]
Last Man on Earth was released four years after Wainwright's mother's death. The working title for the album was Missing You, named after the album's opening track.[2] However, the album's title ultimately became Last Man on Earth, a song written in Suffolk County following Wainwright's eventual move from his mother's old home.[3]
[edit] Track listing
- "Missing You" – 3:29
- "Living Alone" – 2:37
- "White Winos" – 2:59
- "Fresh Fossils" – 1:50
- "I'm Not Gonna Cry" – 2:06
- "Out of Reach" – 2:57
- "Bridge" – 1:43
- "Surviving Twin" – 3:41
- "Donations" – 2:02
- "Graveyard" – 2:13
- "Bed" – 2:53
- "Last Man on Earth" – 5:01
- "Homeless" – 4:14
[edit] Personnel
The following people contributed to Last Man on Earth:[4]
[edit] Musicians
- Loudon Wainwright III - vocals, guitar, five-string banjo
- Stewart Lerman - guitars, bass, organ, Wurlitzer, percussion
- Dick Connette - piano, spinet, celeste, harmonium, percussion, arrangements
- Steuart Smith - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, organ, Wurlitzer, accordion, bass, harmonica
- David Mansfield - fiddle, viola, mandolin, dulcimer, guitar, percussion, string arrangements on "White Winos"
- Sammy Merendino - drums, percussion
- Mary Rowell - violin, viola
- Marshall Coid - violin
- Dorothy Lawson - cello
- Brian Stanley - bass ("Living Alone")
- Johnny Gale - vocals and vocal arrangements ("Bridge")
- Little Isidore - vocals ("Bridge")
- Suzzy Roche - vocals ("Bed" and "Last Man on Earth")
[edit] Recording personnel
- Stewart Lerman - producer, recording, mixing
- Scott Lehrer - additional engineering ("Bed" and "Missing You")
- Dominick Maita - mastering
[edit] Artwork
- Deborah Feingold - inlay photograph
- Patti Perret - beach photos
- Don Stettner - back cover painting
- Hugh Brown - layout and design
[edit] Release history
- CD: Red House 158
- CD: Evangeline 4025
- CD: Evangeline 4076
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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| Studio albums |
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| Live albums |
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| Compilations |
One Man Guy: The Best of Loudon Wainwright III 1982-1986 · 40 Odd Years
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| Other albums |
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| TV/Film |
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| Family |
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