Rufus Wainwright

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• Singer-songwriter
• touring
• nominate
• Juno

• Genie
• nomination
• coffeehouse circuit
• record deal

• hailed
• celebrated
• romantic
• delicate

• percussion
• touching on
• check out
• got around to

• coming up with
• unique

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright is the son of two famous musicians – Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. Rufus was just 6 years old when he started playing piano and he began touring with his mother at age 13. By the age of 14 he was nominated for a Juno as Most Promising Young Artist and had earned a Genie nomination for Best Song In A Film. After spending the next several years on the coffeehouse circuit in Montreal, he was signed to his own record deal.
Rufus recently released his third album, titled Want One. It’s being hailed as one of the best albums of 2003. Read on to learn more about it.

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Both of Rufus Wainwright’s first two albums were greatly celebrated, but Want One is considered by many people to be his best music yet. It features romantic songs with delicate strings, horns, keyboards and percussion. His lyrics are thoughtful, often touching on family, music, personal travels and (especially) doomed love.
The song “Oh What a World” is a perfect example of Rufus’ musical style. It’s one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. Check out some of the lyrics:
Why am I always on a plane or a fast train
Oh what a world my parents gave me
Always traveling but not in love
Still I think I’m doing fine
Wouldn’t it be a lovely headline:
“Life is Beautiful” on the New York Times

 

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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