Martha, you’re a mystery

Jul 28 2008 by David Whetstone, The Journal

Martha Wainwright at The Sage Gateshead

I’VE struggled to make up my mind about Martha Wainwright.

Her eponymous 2005 debut album claimed a few critics’ hearts but I’ve always suspected she’d have struggled more for those plaudits were it not for her hallowed name (sister of the feted Rufus, she’s the daughter of folk king Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle).

That said, we should probably be grateful for her familial complications, as the filthily titled Bloody M***** F******A**hole from that debut album is about her father (or so she says) – and it’s her best song by a country mile.

Last night, it was a force of nature, whirling and raging in self- defiance: “I will not put on a smile, I will not say I’m all right for you”.

The rest is a peculiar mix of the bland and the magnificent. Or maybe I’m just not a fan of her latest work.

When she’s bad she sounds like Texas, but when she’s good she’s splendid and the moment her band leaves her (including bassist husband Brad Albetta) she seems to come alive.

Far Away is delicate and broken and pleading – suddenly, it’s just a woman and an acoustic guitar bathed in red light. Back with the band, Factory and This Life are both fine, fine moments

She finishes with See Emily Play and a wondrous Stormy Weather, first recorded at her brother’s Judy Garland tribute.

I’m still wondering if she’s got enough lyrics and tunes of her own (and what’s left without those two?) but last night suggested there’ll be plenty more to come to help me make up my mind about Martha Wainwright

Matt McKenzie