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 2:
1. I Am a Diamond - By Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright
2. Mother Mother - By Broken Social Scene
3. On My Way To Town - By Anna McGarrigle, Sylvan Lanken, Lily Lanken
4. Over The Hill - By Norah Jones, Lily Lanken
5. I Cried for Us - By Rufus Wainwright, Antony
6. The Work Song - By Justin Vivian Bond
7. Come Back Baby - By Jenni Muldaur, Teddy Thompson, Greg Prestopino
8. Oliver, Remember Me? - By Rufus Wainwright
9. Dans le silence - By Robert Charlebois, Anna McGarrigle
10. Jacques and Giles - By Anna McGarrigle, Lily Lanken
11. All the Way to San Francisco - By Martha Wainwright
12. Tell My Sister - By Peggy Seeger
13. Travelling On For Jesus - By Chaim Tannenbaum
14. Go Leave - By Linda Thompson, Richard Thompson
15. Darlin' Kate - By Emmylou Harris
16. Dink's Song - By Anna McGarrigle, Chaim Tannenbaum, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
17. Love Over and Over - By Sing Me The Songs Ensemble
18. I Just Want to Make It Last - By Kate McGarrigle