Rufus Wainwright announced this week that he will have his new album ready by the Spring of next year and nobody is more excited than me. He has told us that it will be pretty much just him and his piano and all the über-fans have practically wet their pants. For all you who are still dry, here is a list of music for the Rufus Wainwright first-timers out there:

1 - Matinee Idol (from Rufus Wainwright)

2 - Hallelujah (from Shrek)

3 - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (from Poses)

4 - One Man Guy (from Poses)

5 - Poses (from Alright, Already: Live in Montreal)

6 - Go or Go Ahead (from Want One)

7 - Dinner at Eight (from Want One)

8 - The Art Teacher (from Want Two)

9 - Going To A Town (from Release the Stars)

10 - Leaving for Paris No. 2 (from Release the Stars)

and here's the list of (shamefully) harder to find Rufus Wainwright songs that are phenomenal and NEED to be more well-know for some are his greatest songs/recordings:

1 - A Bit Of You (found on Rufus Wainwright [Japan])

2 - Liberty Cabbage (found on DVD: Live at the Filmore)

3 - The Origin of Love (from Wig in a Box)

4 - In Heaven (good luck!)

5 - Zebulon (found on All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu... youtube it)

6 - Spotlight on Christmas (found on The McGarrigle Christmas Hour)

7 - The Motion Waltz (found on Meet The Robinsons)

8 - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (found on Zoolander)

9 - Who Are You New York? - (found on All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu... youtube it)

ps: hey crazy fans- if you don't some of these, and can't find them... come on over you can listen to my copy. And no, I'm not trying to be difficult, these are just some of my favorites not on his albums. If you want difficult try: Albatross, Cassanova in Hell, Sonnet 20 and 29, Harvest, Low Grade Happiness, Tranquil Rest, Le Roi D'ys, Miss Otis Regrets, Ashes, That Night, The Money Song, Es Mus Sein, Velvet Curtain Rag, Coer de Parisienne, Quand Vous Mourez de nos Amours, Careless Whisper or Schubert Song.

Masterpiece

Miserere

by Carlo Gesualdo

It is no secret that Carlo Gesualdo (1566-1613) suffered from deep depression. His life was full of public and private turmoil that affected him profoundly. Betrayed by people closest to him, discouraged with himself, and having lost to death many who were close to him, he died alone. In his twilight years he composed Miserere, a setting of the 51st Psalm. The text, in part, reads:

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness... blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin... my sin is ever before me...

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, though God of my salvation...

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:...

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

Gesualdo effected the course of music forever. Using his money and status he found most pleasure and happiness in the composing and performing of music. Gesualdo masterfully set this text to beautiful and spiritual music, recalling his own sense of despair, guilt, yet hope for things to come. This is a masterpiece.