Earlier this year the legendary Loudon Wainwright III (whom we’re sure requires no introduction) played a three-night residency at Nell’s Jazz and Blues in London. The shows were recorded and twenty-one of the songs are used on the upcoming release ‘Loudon Live In London‘ which is out on 31st January 2025 via The Last Music Co. As would be expected from any live show there are plenty of familiar and treasured songs – but alongside these Loudon added some new material of his own and a few perfectly executed cover versions of songs by others that he has admired over the years.
Today’s exclusive early peek at the album is appropriately both London and Loudon-themed. Wainwright explained about the song: “Years ago in London I used to ride my bike from St John’s Wood High Street to Regent’s Park Road to have lunch at my favourite Greek restaurant. My route (illegally) took me across Primrose Hill and one day I noticed a homeless man who seemed to be living on the hillside. He had a guitar, a small dog tied to a piece of clothesline, and an old sleeping bag and he was surrounded by crumpled cans of “Scotland’s Favourite Lager”. We never met but he was the inspiration for ‘Primrose Hill’. There used to be a wooden bench on the park’s central walkway with a dedication plaque to Andy “Cat” Collins, who had been a popular local character. Someone once told me that Andy and my homeless guy were one and the same. I hope so.”
