I'd Rather Lead a Band
Loudon Wainwright III · 2020
44 min · 14 tracks · blues
An intimate collection of jazz and folk standards, infused with Wainwright's trademark wit and poignant storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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How I Love You (I’m Tellin’ the Birds, Tellin’ the Bees) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Ship Without a Sail — This track highlights Wainwright's storytelling through its melancholic melody and introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of longing and vulnerability.
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I’d Rather Lead a Band — The title track encapsulates Wainwright's playful yet earnest approach to music, where he embraces leading in creativity over conformity.
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Ain’t Misbehavin’ — Wainwright’s rendition brings a fresh yet nostalgic feel to this jazz standard, emphasizing his vocal delivery and emotional interpretation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid interpretations of standards with a cohesive flow but lacks significant originality.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of piano and guitar throughout, with Wainwright's vocals prominently layered over the instrumentation.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a reflective mood that persists across the entire record.
- Wainwright often employs conversational phrasing in his vocal delivery, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic storytelling journey
- nostalgic warmth for reflective moments
- for cozy afternoons
- easygoing background for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases Wainwright's continued creativity and reinterpretation of classics.
- Themes
- jazz-infused nostalgia· creative rebellion
- Career context
- Released in 2020, I'd Rather Lead a Band finds Loudon Wainwright III in a reflective phase of his career, following a prolific period that included several albums. This album is notable as it showcases his interpretations of classic songs, blending his folk roots with jazz influences, solidifying his role as a contemporary artist revisiting traditional genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Steve Goodman· Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Tracklist
- 1 How I Love You (I’m Tellin’ the Birds, Tellin’ the Bees) Start here 3:26
- 2 Ship Without a Sail 3:57
- 3 Ain’t Misbehavin’ 3:05
- 4 I’m Going to Give It to Mary With Love 3:16
- 5 The Little Things in Life 3:34
- 6 So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds Got Together 2:54
- 7 A Perfect Day 2:40
- 8 I Thought About You 2:48
- 9 I’d Rather Lead a Band 3:41
- 10 My Blue Heaven 2:52
- 11 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 3:06
- 12 Heart and Soul 2:38
- 13 You Rascal You (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) 2:59
- 14 More I Cannot Wish You 3:06
What to play next
Lifetime Achievement
2022
Continues the intimate storytelling with a blend of styles, reflecting on a rich career.
Surviving Twin
2017
Sets the stage with personal narratives and emotional depth leading into the current album.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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