Rufus Wainwright
"Black Session"
Radio France - France Inter Radio
2003.10.30

Pre-FM SBD CD > EAC > FLAC8 (TLH)

Rufus Wainwright - Piano, Vocals, Guitar, Bi-lingual Humor

Grey Gardens
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Pretty Things
Vibrate
California
Want
Little Sister
Leaving for Paris
In a Graveyard
Complainte de la Butte
In My Arms
Dinner at Eight

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This is a French radio broadcast session from 2003. It was edited down from a complete performance by the radio station...i.e what you are hearing is an incomplete performance. I am uploading this torrent because the rarity and excellence of the setting, quality and performance far outweighs the need to have the complete show. I think even casual Rufus fans will agree. If this is your first exposure to this recording I'm certain you will at least accept and enjoy what people heard on the radio, vs. having nothing at all. At least that's the way I feel about it. I know there are sickos among you who refuse to distribute (or listen to!) anything less than a complete recording. For these people I can only say that you know where the delete key is...

The good news is that a CD master of the full performance exists, and it has circulated among fans on the Rufus discussion board (granted this was 4-5 years ago). I am in the process of tracking down the full show, at which point I will upload an updated torrent with the complete performance.

Complete performance setlist (according to those circulating the show on the Rufus fan board):

Grey Gardens
Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk
Pretty Things
Vibrate
California
Want
Little Sister
Leaving For Paris
In A Graveyard
Complainte De La Butte
Beautiful Child
In My Arms
Gay Messiah
Beauty Mark
Poses
Dinner At Eight
Coeur De Parisienne
Imaginary Love

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(from the Radio France "Black Sessions" web site)

Black Sessions are performances of the live music broadcast on the French Radio station France Inter. These are recorded in front of a live audience and feature on a C'est Lenoir show. A French Radio DJ's name is Bernard Lenoir ("lenoir'' means "black" in english)

The first performance was in 1992 and since then many French and international artists have performed Black Sessions.

Bernard Lenoir is a radio pioneer, a living legend, a discoverer of new talents in english, american and french rock/pop music. In the Black Sessions he invites groups that are for the most part relative beginners but who often go on to become references in the world of indie rock. Unlike the BBC’s « Peel Sessions » the bands play live, in one take and in front of an audience of 200 people.

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(back to me)

This radio session captures Rufus less than a month after the release of what I consider to be the pinnacle of his discography...the album known as "Want One". You will rarely find a more intricately recorded and masterful display of lush, classic songwriting. I could not think of an album recorded this past decade that would earn a higher recommendation from me. (see links below to purchase).

Rufus remains one of the most under-appreciated songwriters, and it's always a privilege to have high quality recordings to pass around in order to promote him. Do this music justice and spread this session far and wide. And if you have yet to experience the sonic brilliance and depth of Rufus Wainwright live, you should not miss the opportunity.

Rufus on the web:
http://www.rufuswainwright.com/ (Official Site)
http://www.rufuswainwright.com/discography/ (Full Discography with Purchase Links)
http://boards.rufuswainwright.com/ubbthreads.php (Fan Discussion)

Peace,

Reis