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T Shirt (album)

T Shirt is a 1976 album by Loudon Wainwright III. Unlike his earlier records, this (and the subsequent 'Final Exam') saw Wainwright adopt a full blown rock band (Slowtrain) - though there are acoustic songs on T-Shirt, including a Talking Blues. Nevertheless it had the misfortune to arrive on the scene at the same time as punk rock, making it immediately dated in the eyes of many critics. According to Wainwright on the 2006 CD liner notes, it received a scathing review from Rolling Stone Magazine which depressed him so much he stayed in bed for five days. By the early 1990's he disowned the album in a radio interview broadcast in Australia. However, by the time of the CD remaster (which included 'Final Exam') he admitted to a much more sympathetic view of the album(s).

Track listing

All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III; except where indicated

1. "Bicentennial"
2. "Summer's Almost Over"
3. "Hollywood Hopeful"
4. "Reciprocity"
5. "At Both Ends"
6. "Wine with Dinner"
7. "Hey Packy" (George Gerdes)
8. "California Prison Blues"
9. "Talking Big Apple '75"
10. "Prince Hal's Dirge"
11. "Just Like President Thieu"
12. "Wine with Dinner (Night Cap)"

Personnel

Loudon Wainwright III - guitar, vocals

• Richard Davis - bass
• Hank Jones - keyboards
• David Sanborn - saxophone
• Marvin Stamm - horn
• Jimmy Maelen - conductor
• Elliott Randall - guitar
• David Taylor - trombone
• Eric Weissberg - banjo
• Charlie Brown - guitar
• Jeanie Arnold - vocals
• Jon Cobert - vocals
• Joe Cocuzzo - drums
• Kenny Kosek - violin
• Richard Crooks - drums
• John Crowder - bass
• Ron Getman - steel guitar
• Don Hammond - recorder
• Peter Labarbera - background vocals
• John Lissauer - clarinet
• George Marge - recorder
• Irwin "Marky" Markowitz - horn
• Charlie Messing - guitar, vocals
• Gwynne Michaels - vocals
• Glen Mitchell - keyboards, vocals
• Paul Prestopino, Maggie & Terre Roche - vocals
• Christie Thompson - vocals
• Stephen Tubin - keyboards
• Joanne Vent - vocals

Release history

• LP: Arista AL4063 (U.S.)
• LP: Arista RTY127 (UK)

References

1. "Prince Hals Dirge" is a reference to Henry IV, Part II by Shakespeare
2. "Just Like President Thieu" references South Vietnam's recently deposed Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
3. "Bicentennial" is a sarcastic reference to the USA's upcoming 'birthday', where Wainwright celebrates heroes like Jack Ruby
4. "California Prison Blues" is a time capsule, referencing Charles Manson, 'Squeaky' Lynette Fromme, Patty Hearst (and her father), Timothy Leary, and Eldridge Cleaver.
5. "Wine with Dinner" mentions Dean Martin and Foster Brooks