The Hey folks, welcome to another edition of the Rip Snorting High Octane Thrill

Ride of a podcast that is Soda Jerker on songwriting.

We've been on one heck of a run of guests lately and this episode is no exception.

Joining us today is one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of recent years, a member of Canadian

music royalty whose beguiling Baroque pop has earned him a huge following and has seen no less

than Elton John describe him as the greatest songwriter on the planet.

He's just released Vibrate, a collection of some of his best work from across his 16 year recording

career along with a bonus disc of live tracks and rarities and we couldn't be happier to have him with us

to discuss that and much else besides. We are of course referring to the

incomparable Rufus Wainwright. Exciting stuff indeed and, oh, news just in. A few moments ago, Elton John declared

you're made to be the two best songwriters in this studio right now. Isn't that nice?

Thanks Elton.

You know, I was thinking earlier about my introduction to Rufus's music and I think it was an interview

with Andy Partridge.

I read about nine or ten years ago where he cited Oh What a World as one of his favorite songs of the

moment and he is a man of fine taste so I sought it out and found sure enough that it was an

absolute masterpiece. I seem to remember you hipping me to the glory of cigarettes

and chocolate milk around that time as well. Right. The song that is not the actual

items. So basically you were an empty vessel until I found you is that what you say?

Exactly. Well it's good you. Is that what you say? Exactly.

Well, it's good you finally acknowledging that, right?

We'll hear from Rufus in just a few moments, but first, as always,

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