So Damn Happy

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So Damn Happy
Live album by Loudon Wainwright III
Released	2003
Genre	Folk
Label	Sanctuary Records
Producer	Stewart Lerman, Loudon Wainwright III
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Robert Christgau (B+) link Rolling Stone link
Loudon Wainwright III chronology
Last Man on Earth (2001) So Damn Happy (2003) Here Come the Choppers (2005)

For the 2003 Aretha Franklin album, see So Damn Happy (Aretha Franklin album)

So Damn Happy is the third live album by Loudon Wainwright III. It was recorded at Largo in West Hollywood, California and released in 2003. It features, amongst others, Van Dyke Parks and Richard Thompson (though Thompson only plays on 'The Home Stretch')

By this stage of his career, and excluding '1982-86', Wainwright had yet to release a compilation album. In fact, to this day (1/1/08) this remains true. It gradually became apparent that his numerous live albums were fulfilling the same function.

Unrequited (1975), one side of which comprised live tracks, was a a snapshot of his career at the time. A Live One, though released in 1980 compiled mid 70's live recordings, many of which arguably surpassed their studio forebears. 1993's Career Moves compiled his 80's and early 90's songs, as well as adding a fistful of new tracks. BBC Sessions in 2000 drew on material from a wide range of his career, including hard to find 70's songs, such as Prince Hal's Dirge and School Days. Finally (so far) 'So Damn Happy' compiles mostly 90's material, particularly from Grown Man (1995) with the obligatory offering of new songs, as well as the first properly solo version of 'Tonya's Twirls' - a typically ironic and bittersweet song about Tonya Harding, which he had been playing live as early as 1993.

As unlikely as it may seem, the standout song here may well be the new Something for Nothing - Wainwright's clever tirade against file-sharing.

Considering the harrowing Last Man on Earth (2001), this lighter live disc was perhaps a necessary sequel.

[edit] Track listing

1. Much Better Bets – 3:05
2. So Damn Happy – 2:54
3. Between – 1:23
4. The Picture – 2:48
5. Cobwebs – 3:09
6. Heaven – 2:52
7. Something for Nothing – 4:10
8. Dreaming – 4:05
9. Westchester County – 4:20
10. Tonya's Twirls – 4:47
11. A Year – 3:37
12. You Never Phone (with Martha Wainwright) – 3:06
13. 4 X 10 – 2:26
14. The Sh*t Song – 4:18
15. Primrose Hill – 4:17
16. The Home Stretch – 5:09
17. Men – 3:36

[edit] Release history

• CD: Sanctuary 06076-84627-2