Album: Loudon Wainwright III, High, Wide and Handsome (Proper)

It is the fashion for theveterans of post-warAmerican music to makeobeisance to the luminariesof pre-war music, and doit in upholstered packaging.

Here's LWIII payingtribute to his early inspiration,the 1920s singer andbanjo player CharliePoole, a rascal. This 30-song two-CD set looks likea period hardback andcomes with enough printedmatter to keep a hobo dry.Dick Connette producesand writes; assorted familymembers contribute, as doUSfolk cats. "Mother's LastFarewell Kiss" is just the tipof the iceberg. A larnin'experience.