The late Kate McGarrigle was a terrific singer/songwriter, whose critically-acclaimed work with her sister Anna is among the best in the world of contemporary folk music. But she is something of a national treasure in her home country of Canada (not to mention being the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, whose fans surely count her as an important treasure as well). And there is something distinctly Canadian about her music: simple, but deep; witty, but touching; honest, but charming nonetheless. Her 2010 death from clear-cell sarcoma robbed the world of a great talent.
In tribute, her family put together a series of concerts in London, New York & Toronto, celebrating her music with such friends as Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Antony, Richard, Linda & Teddy Thompson, Broken Social Scene, Jimmy Fallon and others, including of course sister Anna & children Rufus & Martha, with proceeds going to a foundation to combat sarcoma set up in Kate’s name. Over the course of two discs, this collection documents those concerts, as Kate’s music shines through the variety of performers. It serves as either a wonderful primer for the uninitiated or an excellent summary for longtime fans. Either way, it is a powerful listen & a worthy tribute to a stellar songstress.
- Eric J. Lawrence
Disc: 1
01. Kiss and Say Goodbye - By Rufus Wainwright, Anna McGarrigle, Martha Wainwright
02. Southern Boys - By Rufus Wainwright
03. Talk to Me of Mendocino - By Norah Jones
04. Entre Lajeunesse et la sagesse - By Rufus Wainwright, Anna McGarrigle, Emmylou Harris
05. Matapedia - By Martha Wainwright
06. I Eat Dinner (When the Hunger's Gone - By Rufus Wainwright, Emmylou Harris
07. Swimming Song - By Jimmy Fallon
08. Saratoga Summer Song - By Teddy Thompson
09. Tell My Sister - By Martha Wainwright
10. I Don't Know - By Krystle Warren
11. First Born - By Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
12. Heart Like a Wheel - By Emmylou Harris, Anna McGarrigle, Krystle Warren, Martha Wainwright, Lily Lanken
13. Go Leave - By Antony
14. As Fast As My Feet Can Carry Me - By Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones
15. Walking Song - By Rufus Wainwright
16. Proserpina - By Kate McGarrigle, Sloan Wainwright, Martha Wainwright