Rufus Wainwright

I didnt think I would be saying this. but I prefer the original, live version.
The original version is one of my favourite Rufus numbers and I was eagerly anticipating this release... somehow it disapoints. I think possibly because his vocals tend to soar on this track live however are quite toned down on the studio recording. I would have much preferred it to be just piano solo aswell, as before... howeverr... the bass part gives it a unique and unexpected quality and mood which I very much like and has grown on me already. I dont think I was quite ready for a new version or new part to be added. All in all I think its one of the more interesting and frankly 'strange' though i dont like using that word, studio tracks Rufus has released and for that I cant help but like it and want to listen to it more. But still strongly prefer the live, original version.
I was actually expecting to hear a kind of soaring imitative violin/strings harmonic arrangement as well as the backing vocals and even maybe an accordian or something stereotypically french. So the arrangement took me and shook me when I heard it lol.

Leaving For Paris has always been a favorite of mine. the live version has been one of my most-played songs on iTunes forever. it is lovely in its simplicity, both musically and lyrically.

i was surprised it would be included on Release the Stars, as it had been previously released on the bonus CD for Want One, but i can respect that rufus wanted to put it on an album that was accessible to more people.

the second verse puts a twist in the song, when comparing it to the original. along with the new sounds he incorporated into the song, i think this "second version" makes a great addition to the album.
i'd love to hear this song live, in person :grin:

Leaving For Paris No. 2:

http://rufus.jt.org/song.php?i=LeavingForParis2

I'm leaving for Paris, no I don't think that I'll see you
I'm leaving for Paris, no I don't think that I need to
So I'm leaving for Paris
Won't you try to take care of yourself?

I pray you won't follow through the crooked streets behind me
I pray you won't follow, like so many who've known me
So I'm leaving for Paris
Don't you try to find out where I am
Just you try to take care of yourself

And when I get there, I will loose the ring you gave me
And when I get there, how happy I will then be
So I'm leaving for Paris
Won't you try to take care of yourself?
Just to try to take care of yourself

'Cause I'm leaving, yes I'm leaving
'Cause I'm leaving, yes I'm leaving for Paris
Goodbye

---
by the way, for those not familiar with the previous version, feel free to visit this link:
http://rufus.jt.org/song.php?i=LeavingForParis

I prefer this version to the live version. I wasn't expecting that, since the live version is so lovely, but I really do. The extra instruments help it along, though it is equally beautiful with just the piano.

I, too, would like to see him perform it.

this is my favourite song on the album. It's beyond exquisite!

Sorry, but from my point of view this song is tedious. In this, Rufus can't compare to the delicacy, sorrow and mastery dealed by his friend Antony. Natasha is even simpler, but has much more charm from my modest point of view. Might get bigger with time.

Love this song.......so much.

Simple and beautifull.

The album version was the first time I had ever heard this song.

I cried the first time I heard it-- does that say enough?
Beautiful.

Pretty tune, so what if I like pretty tune. Tis good.

When I first listen to a CD, I always listen to each song for a short bit and then move onto the next track. But when I reaced this song I stopped and listened to the whole thing - I was just entranced. Beautiful! (Satie-ish?)

This is the darkest song. He played it as a teenager. It has no place on this album

It all has a place baby. That's why it's there. A personal musical transition.

This is my first time hearing it.
Oh...it's just gorgeous. I think it's fantastic. The piano and orchestra are just astounding. It's so simple and haunting.

{q a=[[Joelrs71]]}This is the darkest song. He played it as a teenager. It has no place on this album
{/q}

that makes no sense but whatever. Sorry you don't enjoy it :(

This song is one of favourites, not on first listen and now I feel such a fool. I particularly love the subtlety of the repeated figure in the piano and the harmonics in the string arrangement, not to mention the vocal harmonies towards the end of the song.... quite beautiful!

Em - I sort of agree with Joel actually. It just feels like because I know this song so well and have been listening to it for so long, it doesn't really fit with the rest of the album, if you know what I mean.

I don't mind the song, but it's nowhere near my favourites on this or any other album. Sorry! I know lots of people love it, but hey, each to his own! :)

I hadn't heard the song until this version so I'm not one to say which one is better I suppose

Anyone else think that "goodbye" at the end sounds very Sound of Music-esque? Makes me love the song even more.

This is my favourite on the LP at the moment. The cellos are just gorgeous on it and I love Rufus' understated vocal on it. Absolutely marvellous. I LOVE IT!

With regards to the 'Goodbye' at the end - I feel it has echoes of the final 'tonight....' on 'Something's Coming' from 'West Side Story'.

I love all those kinda musical echoes and references in Rufus' songs.

{q a=[[i_kill_my_elf]]}Anyone else think that "goodbye" at the end sounds very Sound of Music-esque? Makes me love the song even more.{/q}

Oh, yes, quite obviously and deliberately so, I'm sure . . .

As I do often travel to Paris, this song echoes the sombre feelings quite well I sometimes have when "Leaving For Paris". Next time on the train, that'll be the first song to start the travelling soundtrack!

I've got this playing now but I've had to stop it for a second. Somehow I can't think straight when it's on. I don't know what the song is actually about as per Rufus and his intentions, but it's got me sitting on a train with my reflection in the window looking at the scenery sliding by, as I leave for Paris.
I've never heard this song before so I've found the comments interesting, if somewhat puzzling. I guess the fact that some people, me included, are newbies to this song vindicates the decision to give it a wider exposure than its had up to now.

I LOVE this song, well, I can't type LOVE big enough to do my feelings justice.
Right from the start the treatment of the music is just so warm, and so phat (yup, sp is correct) It conjours up the type of anologue warmth I associate with old valve radios, a technical type of sound way apart from the precise aural sounds of the current digital world. (Incidently, sound engineers are falling over themselves to re-create this old analogue warmth, as it has an almost physical feel to it)

The sedate pace of this song sets the mood, and I'm quite sure Rufus has placed me as a listener, exactly where he wants me to be, in terms of audio imagery.
The piano is sublime, with an audio feel of ripe peaches, in softness and sweetness. Jeff Hill on the base, OMG, that base is simply slaying me, and I'm now in total love with that rich base sound.
I can't help but comment further on the piano-playing by Rufus. Somehow he turns it into an intimate experience, and I don't know how he does it, but it's like I'm on another stool right next to him, and I can here his vocals for myself, not through a microphone, and I can almost feel my fingers laid on his as he caresses those keys.
I haven't mentioned the lyrics, but as I often do, I read them without the music playing, and they move me deeply "Like so take care of yourself" just breaks me up, especially when I hear the words come from Rufus, he's the king of melancholy for me. He gently rests his vocals on you in this song

Rufus crafts his lyrics, and often they are pure theatre I find, sublimely acted and phrased, charged with emotion, and heartfelt. I've just read how carefully the Bronte sisters crafted their words and engaged their imagination when writing poetry and novels.
They are constantly hailed as literary genius, deservedly so, and I'm a fan too. I read their work this weekend, and marvelled. I read the lyrics of Rufus and marvel. Rufus is a teller of tales, a recounter of heartbreak, and says so much with such economy. He does it in Leaving for Paris, and when I listen, I drift off and leave my senses behind, beautifully.

Neili

I'm new to this song. Well, have played it about a million times along with the rest since I got the new album, but I mean I haven't heard it live yet.

Does anyone know if there's a LFP #1?

Shan

if you email me i could send you the mp3 of the first version: beautiful.
jrrodrigo@euskalnet.net
please say "rufus leaving for paris "on the thread.

That's great joserra. I'm looking forward to it.

Shan

You still there? My emails to you are bouncing.

try it again please

This song wasn't one of my favourites on the album but when I heard him sing it live it almost moved me to tears. Fantastic!

i loved hearing this on the album,but to hear rufus singing this live at the 'old vic' thurs and fri,was unbelieveable.i was transported,absolute magic!!