40 Odd Years is a compilation box set by American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, released on May 3, 2011 on Shout! Factory. The set contains music from throughout Wainwright's career, alongside a DVD of live performances and documentary pieces. The collection is co-produced and curated by filmmaker Judd Apatow, who also writes an introduction in the liner notes.
The album's fourth disc features both rare and unreleased tracks, including a newly recorded song for the collection, entitled "Dead Man".
Background Regarding filmmaker Judd Apatow's involvement in 40 Odd Years, Wainwright noted, "I would see him and he would say, "You gotta have a box!" And I'd say, "Yeah, sure, I agree." But because of his interest and his influence, he was able get together with the people at Shout! Factory and encouraged them to make it happen. And he was also quite involved from the creative side of things. I sent him my choices, and the DVD was pretty much created by him and his team. So, he's a very big part."
Regarding the box set's track listing, Wainwright stated, "I've mourned over the kittens that have been put in the sack, that didn't make it into the box. That was an aspect that was difficult at that stage - choosing what could be included and what couldn't be included because there were digital space requirements. [...] I took one song off because it made my wife wince too much. I cut her some slack. It takes a lot to make me wince; as far as I'm concerned, bad taste is timeless. I like to wince. I like to think that people are going 'Eeeghegh!' I put one song on there that I never had the guts to put on a record - which was this song called "Laid" - so I thought, 'What the hell? I'm almost dead. I'll put it out there'."
On the album's fourth disc of rarities, Wainwright included a duet with him and his ex-wife Kate McGarrigle, entitled "Weave Room Blues". Wainwright stated, "It seemed important to include something with the two of us: "Weave Room Blues' was the choice. [...] We were having a lot of fun. And that was what I wanted to convey with that choice, that we did have fun."
Track listing Disc 1 (1969–1983) School Days I Don't Care Uptown Be Careful There's A Baby In The House Saw Your Name In The Paper Dead Skunk New Paint Drinking Song The Swimming Song Dilated To Meet You Down Drinking At The Bar The Man Who Couldn't Cry Whatever Happened To Us? Crime Of Passion Kick In The Head Summer's Almost Over Just Like President Thieu Golfin’ Blues The Heckler Natural Disaster Red Guitar Hollywood Hopeful DTTYWLM The Grammy Song
Disc 2 (1984–1995) Westchester County I'm Alright Screaming Issue Unhappy Anniversary Your Mother And I Synchronicity Hard Day On The Planet You Don't Want To Know Bill Of Goods Thanksgiving Your Father's Car When I'm At Your House The Picture Men So Many Songs Tip That Waitress I'd Rather Be Lonely April Fool's Day Morn The Acid Song IWIWAL A Year Dreaming
Disc 3 (1996–2010) So Damn Happy Primrose Hill Bein’ A Dad Four Mirrors It's Love And I Hate It Christmas Morning Pretty Good Day White Winos Bed Surviving Twin The Shit Song Between My Biggest Fan When You Leave Make Your Mother Mad Daughter Grey In L.A. Muse Blues Motel Blues The Deal Rowena High Wide & Handsome
Disc 4 (Rare and Unreleased) Weave Room Blues (with Kate McGarrigle) McSorley's Black Uncle Remus (demo) Funny Having Money The Hardy Boys At The Y (with The Boys Of The Lough) Laid (live) Outsidey (live) That Cat Surfin’ Queen (demo) Newt 4X10 (live) Somethin’ Stupid (with Barry Humphries) The Miles (live) So Good So Far (live) Big Fish No Sure Way Hey There 2nd Grader More I Cannot Wish You Florida (Lucky You) Hank & Fred (live) Your Eyes (demo) Dead Man At The End Of A Long Lonely Day (with Suzzy Roche)
Disc 5 (DVD: Filmed Performances) One Man Guy - 1993 Dutch television documentary BBC4 Sessions: Loudon Wainwright: One Man Guy - Filmed at Bush Hall, London, on May 2, 2005 - 4 Song Loudon Wainwright III at The BBC - Aired on September 23, 2005 - 11 Songs Dead Man - Filmed on May 24, 2010; recording session documentary Entertainment Desk - Aired on Canadian television in 1995 - 1 Song with Martha Wainwright High Wide & Handsome – The Charlie Poole Project - Filmed in 2009 for documentary on making of album The Basement - Filmed in Sydney, Australia in 2008 - 1 Song with Lucy Wainwright Roche Austin City Limits - 5 Songs Saturday Night Live - Aired on NBC on November 15, 1975 - 2 Songs The Garfield House - Filmed on May 24, 2010 - 6 Songs 826LA Benefit - Filmed on January 16, 2007 - 2 Songs PBS Soundstage - Aired on February 2, 1977 - 1 Song McCabe's Guitar Shop - Filmed on February 3, 2007 - 1 Song The Mike Douglas Show - Aired on April 25, 1978 - Interview and 1 Song Nightline - Aired on ABC on June 22, 2005 - 1 Song Carrott Confidential - Aired on BBC on February 14, 1987 - 1 Song
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