2001 studio album by Loudon Wainwright III
Last Man on Earth is the sixteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, released on September 24, 2001 on Red House Records. Recorded in the wake of Wainwright's mother's death and the collapse of a romantic relationship, the album thematically addresses feelings of grief and loneliness. In 2012, Wainwright noted, "Last Man on Earth was written right after my mother died, so a lot of the material on that record has to do with that momentous event. The life circle was present on a lot of those songs."[1]
Portions of the album also reflect upon Wainwright's troubled relationship with his father, Loudon Wainwright, Jr., a subject that has populated many of his earlier recordings. Last Man on Earth can be seen as a companion piece to his 1992 album, History, written after the death of his father.
Background
In 1997, following his mother's funeral, Wainwright stayed in her home in Katonah, Westchester County for eighteen months. During this time, Wainwright wrote much of the album's material.[2]
Last Man on Earth was released four years after Wainwright's mother's death. The working title for the album was Missing You, named after the album's opening track.[3] However, the album's title ultimately became Last Man on Earth, a song written in Suffolk County following Wainwright's eventual move from his mother's old home.[4]
Personnel
The following people contributed to Last Man on Earth:[5]
Musicians
- Loudon Wainwright III – vocals, guitar, five-string banjo
- Stewart Lerman – guitars, bass, organ, Wurlitzer, percussion
- Dick Connette – piano, spinet, celeste, harmonium, percussion, arrangements
- Steuart Smith – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, organ, Wurlitzer, accordion, bass, harmonica
- David Mansfield – fiddle, viola, mandolin, dulcimer, guitar, percussion, string arrangements on "White Winos"
- Sammy Merendino – drums, percussion
- Mary Rowell – violin, viola
- Marshall Coid – violin
- Dorothy Lawson – cello
- Brian Stanley – bass ("Living Alone")
- Johnny Gale – vocals and vocal arrangements ("Bridge")
- Little Isidore – vocals ("Bridge")
- Suzzy Roche – vocals ("Bed" and "Last Man on Earth")
Recording personnel
- Stewart Lerman – producer, recording, mixing
- Scott Lehrer – additional engineering ("Bed" and "Missing You")
- Dominick Maita – mastering
Artwork
- Deborah Feingold – inlay photograph
- Patti Perret – beach photos
- Don Stettner – back cover painting
- Hugh Brown – layout and design
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