T Shirt is a 1976 album by Loudon Wainwright III. Unlike his earlier records, this (and the subsequent Final Exam) saw Wainwright adopt a rock band (Slowtrain) - though there are acoustic songs on T Shirt, including a talking blues. According to Wainwright on the 2006 CD liner notes, it received a scathing review from Rolling Stone which depressed him so much he stayed in bed for five days. By the early 1990s, 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), which he referred to as his 'puppies'.
Track listing All tracks composed by Loudon Wainwright III; except where indicated
"Bicentennial" "Summer's Almost Over" "Hollywood Hopeful" (Traditional; arranged and adapted by Loudon Wainwright III) "Reciprocity" "At Both Ends" "Wine with Dinner" "Hey Packy" (George Gerdes) "California Prison Blues" "Talking Big Apple '75" "Prince Hal's Dirge" "Just Like President Thieu" "Wine with Dinner (Night Cap)"
Personnel Musicians
Loudon Wainwright III – guitar, banjo, bells, vocals Richard Davis, John Crowder – bass guitar Hank Jones – keyboards David Sanborn – saxophone Marvin Stamm – cornet, trumpet Jimmy Maelen – congas Elliott Randall, Charles Brown III – electric guitar David Taylor – bass trombone Eric Weissberg – banjo Jeanie Arnold – vocals Jon Cobert – piano Joe Cocuzzo – drums Kenny Kosek – violin Richard Crooks – drums, spoons Ron Getman – steel guitar Don Hammond – alto recorder Jimmy Iovine – backing vocals Peter La Barbera – vibraphone John Lissauer – clarinet, arrangements George Marge – recorder Irwin "Marky" Markowitz – cornet, trumpet Charlie Messing – guitar, vocals Gwynne Michaels – backing vocals Glen Mitchell – clavinet, electric piano, organ Paul Prestopino, Maggie & Terre Roche – vocals Christie Thompson – backing vocals Stephen Tubin – organ, piano, synthesizer Joanne Vent – backing vocals
Technical Jimmy Iovine – engineer, mixing Benno Friedman – cover photography
Charts Chart (1976)Peakposition US Cash Box Top 100 Albums189
Release history LP: Arista AL4063 (U.S.) LP: Arista RTY127 (UK) CD: Arcadia ACAD 8142 (2 CD with Final Exam (U.S. 2007)
References
"Prince Hals Dirge" is a reference to Henry IV, Part II by Shakespeare "Just Like President Thieu" references South Vietnam's recently deposed Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thiệu "Bicentennial" is a sarcastic reference to the United States's upcoming 'birthday', where Wainwright celebrates heroes like Jack Ruby "California Prison Blues" is a time capsule, referencing Charles Manson, 'Squeaky' Lynette Fromme, Patty Hearst (and her father), Timothy Leary, and Eldridge Cleaver. "Wine with Dinner" mentions Dean Martin and Foster Brooks