Rufus Wainwright: AVO Session
Rufus Wainwright played a blinding set at the AVO Sessions in Basel last night.
Playing in a club setting, with most of the audience seated at tables, he performed a reduced set based around the Release the Stars album which was released earlier this year.
As usual Rufus came on stage to great applause while the band were playing the title track.
He played with a full band, although favourite guitarist Jack Petrocelli is still absent due to other commitments, but hopefully will be returning later in the tour.
Introducing his classic Art Teacher song Rufus joked about Basel being such an appropriate place to perform the song, as it is based on a wealthy woman who loves art, and marries an investment banker. And as Basel is home to so many art collections, not to mention Swiss banks, one could easily imagine the scenario.
As no video entries had been received for the opportunity to deliver the spoken section of Between My Legs, one of the stage crew, Anna, was given the opportunity to appear on stage, and on television, for the first time. Lucky girl!
Diverting from the planned set list, Rufus played The Consort from his Poses album, a welcome addition for the regular Rufus fans, before finishing the official part of the set with 14th Street, during which the band left the stage one-by-one in order to prepare for the “surprise” encore that is the highlight of the Release the Stars tour.
After the show, Rufus was presented with the “Musicians’ Musician” award by the show’s organiser. All that’s needed now is more exposure to the wider public, who seem to respond better to the live shows rather than the recordings. Once you’ve experienced Rufus on stage, you’ll want to go back for more.
Photos: Dominik Plüss
16 Comments
Rufus is such a consummate performer, I’m not surprised he has won the musicians’ musician award. He’s a hard act to follow!!
He’d definitely get my vote too!
Rufus Wainwright is the most talented and charismatic performer I have ever seen. He richly deserves the recognition that he is getting. I am so pleased that this was reflected in the award.
I’m sure he is in line for many more awards!
I think you don’t really “get” Rufus until you see him perform. And then you are hooked! His recordings are quite complex and require more investment than most immediate contemporary music. But if people miss out on him, it’s their hard luck!
I think you either love or hate him, I personally cannot see what he has………….I certainly don’t find him talented and charismatic! In fact the opposite.
Kate,
You are obviously entitled to your opinion, even if it is wrong
I’m guessing you haven’t seen him play live (which is my point above) or if you have, where was it?
Geoff
Geoff, you are obviously entitled to your opinion, even if it is wrong, as I am to mine and you are wrong to say I haven’t seen him live, I saw him in the States last year.
Fair enough! I guess we’ll have to agree to differ then
Hadn’t thought much of Rufus till I saw him last month, now think of him even less. Sorry Geoff.
OK Kim, I guess it’s great that people’s opinions differ
Rufus is the best performer and entertainer I’ve ever seen in all my whole life… which means I’ve seen quite a lot since I’m in my sixties.
Ciao !
Thanks Opharelle! Good to have another supporter on board. I think it’s safe to say, you either love him or you don’t – but maybe that’ll bring another stream of comments!
I saw him live in Munich on Monday, great as always, and even had my photo taken with him backstage.
Hi Geoff.
Well I love him! A friend just directed me to your blog. The Avo session was on TV in the UK last night on Sky Arts HD and I agree it was fab, awesome sound! Wished I could have been there to see it live, it looked very intimate
Thankfully I have seen the Release the Stars set live and I’m looking forward to seeing him again at Hampton Court in June.
I agree entirely, seeing him live is an experience not to be missed
I do also miss Jack Petrocelli though, especially his little banjo solo at the end of 14th Street. I thought Poses was particularly lovely and I never tire of hearing it!
Many thanks for your report of the night
I don’t suppose you recorded it ?
I’d love to see it.Also have tickets for Hampton Court – I used to go to school just down the road – so might see you there.
And you’re bang on about Jack. Spoke to him after the Montreux gig last year, he thought he was only taking a few months off…
Hi Geoff
As a matter of fact I did record it
How could I not?
I caught Jack’s plectrum when he threw it into the audience at one of the gigs ha ha ha
My Rufus touring buddy and I both miss him. I am reading into your last comment that he expected to be back by now! Is that what you meant?