Went into this book hoping it could get me to finally appreciate Loudon Wainwright, as I'm a huge fan of his contemporaries and his son, but this book solidified my dislike for the man. Loudon quickly reveals himself to be pretty much the character we see in his songs (and his sons), an addict with little respect for women and the people around him.

Loudon Wainwright III's father's favorite discussion topics in school were "wine, women, and camels." The son's preoccupations have not strayed far, neither in his wit, nor (as he laments) from his father's tendency to stray, using every conveyance possible (except camels.).

While the senior Loudon was famous as a writer of personal essays for <i>Life</i>, his son discovered his own talents in writing and performing personal songs. In this memoir, we are given the bones of his life, from a privileged childhood with country clubs, swimming pools (!), and movie stars, to the present. As the father of celebrated musicians (Lucy Wainwright Roche, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright) whose mothers were and are also famous musicians (Kate McGarrigle, Suzzy Roche), he has bragging rights to a second generation of artists. However, his essays and song lyrics cast a very sour eye on himself, sparing nothing.

The book includes many of his song lyrics as well as examples of his father's writings, including one diamond about having a suit personally tailord for him on Saville Row. Both Loudon the father and Loudon the III may have been rakes, but they were talented rakes. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read the older essays, and to read about a performer I have seen in concert numerous times, loving the wit and wincing along with him at his excesses.

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-book to review.

This book will appeal to Louden Wainwright fans. He reveals himself to be pretty much the character we see in his songs. Reading this book gave me the same feeling as listening to his songs. Just "Wow, so messed up!"

Liner Notes is like no other book I have read. But then again Loudon Wainwright III has led a life unlike many others have. From living part of his youth in Hollywood having play dates with Liza Minnelli and living on same street with household names to having a desultory teen summer of love in San Francisco. College in Pittsburgh found him having Lenny and Sqiggy as dorm mates (actually the actors who developed said act while at acting school there).
This highly entertaining book is vignette driven tied mostly to song lyrics that came from experience being told.
A book that every one should read, especially those around the baby boom era.

Well-written, but not as compelling or interesting as I had hoped. Devoted fans of the author's music may get better mileage. Memoirs are difficult unless the person has something particularly compelling to say, or a special way of saying something ordinary. Interestingly, Wainwright has included some of his father's writing (Loudon Wainwright Jr) and that's the most interesting material in the book. I'm looking up more of the elder Wainwright's stories.