Who: Loudon Wainwright III is a Californian songwriter who has released more than 20 albums.
Father to musicians Martha and Rufus, he is also an actor and comedian, the latter discipline informing much of his music, albeit in a wry, bittersweet fashion.
About the album: Wainwright teamed up with fellow American tunesmith Joe Henry, with whom he co-wrote the soundtrack for the film Knocked Up, and together the pair chose some tracks they believed could benefit from being re-recorded.
The result is Recovery (Yep Roc), a 13-song collection that breathes new life into some great tunes, from the sardonic Muse Blues to the downright funny The Man Who Couldn't Cry, a track covered to great effect by Johnny Cash.
Highlights: Black Uncle Remus is blues but with tongue firmly in cheek; Saw Your Name In The Paper is yet another example of Wainwright's artistic preoccupation - autobiography of the most unflinching, honest kind yet tinged with humour; and School Days, the first track off his self-titled 1970 debut, is all the more intriguing given it was written by a 23-year-old who didn't think his musical career would last long.
For those who like: Warren Zevon, Randy Newman, clever lyrics.
