Kate & Anna McGarrigleCountry of origin:Canada Type of music generally:Folk/Rock, some traditional material Status:Most recent release, Tell My Sister (remasters & unreleased tracks compilation, 2011). Sadly, Kate McGarrigle died in 2010. See also:Official McGarrigles website Comparisons:The Roches are the closest I can think to Kate & Anna McGarrigle—their sound and aesthetic is unique. (Neile) Covers/own material:Mostly own, some covers and co-written songs, some traditional French Canadian songs General comments:Amusing images and lyrics, odd harmonies, lively and heartbreaking songs, The McGarrigles have a truly unique sound. They are probably an acquired taste, but an easily acquired one, as they're so much fun. (Neile) Recommended first album:Heartbeats Accelerating or Dancer With Bruised Knees. (Neile) Selected Recordings:
Kate & Anna McGarrigleRelease info:1975, reissued 1993—Rykodisc—Hannibal 4401 Availability:wide in U.S. Ecto priority:Highly recommended for folk music lovers Group members:Kate McGarrigle—piano, banjo, button accordion, guitar, vocals Guest artists:Tony Levin—bass Produced by:Joe Boyd & Greg Prestopino Comments:Their first collection is just now being reissued on cd. This is a wonderful collection. They're great from the start, with magical songs like "Heart Like A Wheel" (later covered by Linda Ronstadt). (Neile) Dancer With Bruised KneesRelease info:1977, reissued 1993—Rykodisc—Hannibal 4402 Availability:Wide in U.S. Ecto priority:Essential if you like their folky sound Group members:Kate McGarrigle—piano, button accordion, banjo, organ, vocals, harmony vocals Guest artists:Chaim Tannenbaum—harmonica, recorder, mandolin, vocals Produced by:Joe Boyd Comments:This is perhaps their best collection. Even Rolling Stone and Village Voice recognized how great this is. Some terrific songs—get this. "Southern Boys" alone is worth the price, but there are so many other wonderful songs that will live in your head forever! (Neile) Pronto MontoRelease info:1978—Warner Brothers—WB 56 561 (BSK 3248) Availability:Hard to find, out-of-print, vinyl only Ecto priority:Recommended if you like their other recordings Group members:Kate McGarrigle—squeeze box, piano, electric guitar, organ, lead vocals, harmony vocals Guest artists:Stephen Gadd—drums Produced by:David Nitchtern Comments:This is perhaps my least favourite of their collections, and is the only one that hasn't been re-released on cd. It does still have some wonderful songs, like their classic clever song, "NaCl" (later re-recorded on The McGarrigle Hour) which uses the chemistry of salt as a metaphor for romance. (Neile) French RecordRelease info:1980, reissued 1992—Rykodisc/PolyGram (Canada)—Hannibal 1302; PolyGram 314 513 554-2 Availability:Wide in U.S., U.K., and Canada Ecto priority:Highly recommended if you like their sound Group members:Kate McGarrigle—accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, organ, vocals, harmony vocals Guest artists:Jean-Paul Robichaud—drums, congas, marimbas, percussion Produced by:Kate, Anna & Jane McGarrigle; Joe Boyd & Greg Prestopino (one song), David Nitchtern (one song) Comments:McGarrigles all in French! Great songs. Like Dancer With Bruised Knees I have listen to this album for years and never tired of it. (Neile) Love Over And OverRelease info:1982—Polygram (Canada)—422 841 101-2 Availability:Canada only Ecto priority:Recommended if you like their sound Group members:Kate McGarrigle—accordion, piano, fiddle, guitar, vocals, backing vocals, hums Guest artists:Gerry Conway—drums, percussion Produced by:Kate, Anna, and Jane McGarrigle Comments:There are a few songs I don't enjoy that much on this one, but it has some great ones that make up for it, like "Star Cab Company" and "On My Way To Town". (Neile) Heartbeats AcceleratingRelease info:1990—Private Music, 9014 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA—2070-2-P Availability:Canada & U.S. Ecto priority:Highly recommended for lovers of folk and folkrock Group members:Anna McGarrigle—keyboard, B-3, drum, vocal Guest artists:Yves Gigon—drums, percussion Produced by:Pierre Marchand Comments:Classic McGarrigles. "I Eat Dinner" and "Hit and Run Love" are great examples of their songwriting skills. (Neile) MatapediaRelease info:1996—Rykodisc—Hannibal 1394 Availability:Wide Ecto priority:Highly recommended if you like the McGarrigles Group members:Kate McGarrigle—piano, banjo, guitar, celeste, synth, vocals Guest artists:Joel Zifkin—violin, vocals Produced by:Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Michel Pepin, Pierre Marchand Comments:If it hadn't been for discovering Heather Nova this would be my favorite of the year. There is not a song on it that I don't like. If you liked their last (Heartbeats Accelerating), you'll love this one...it's even better, and not as depressing. Don't get me wrong, I loved Heartbeats Accelerating, but it did have some beautifully depressing songs. The McGarrigle HourRelease info:1998—Rykodisc—Hannibal 1417 Availability:Canada & U.S. Ecto priority:Must have if you like their sound or want to try it Group members:Kate McGarrigle—banjo, piano, guitar, accordion, vocals Guest artists:Rufus Wainwright—piano, vocals Produced by:Joe Boyd Comments:it's a phenomenal cd! everyone takes turns singing and they all do a fab job—it sounds like it was a lot of fun to make! (cjmacs@micronet.net) La Vache Qui PleureRelease info:2003—Les Disques de La Tribu Availability:Wide in Canada Ecto priority:Highly recommended for McGarrigles fans Group members:Kate McGarrigle—acoustic guitar, Rickenback, synth flutes, violin, banjo, tambourine, piano, accordion, vocals Guest artists:John McColgan—drums Comments:This is an album almost entirely in French, and to my ear is a return to form for the McGarrigles. It's fairly mellow compared to previous albums, but quite delightful and full of the McGarrigles' unique harmonies. Recommended. (Neile) Further info:DVD Not So Silent Night was released October 2009. Thanks to Leon van Stuivenberg for work on this entry.
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