Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:31:38 +0100

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Born in Montreal of mixed English and French-Canadian origin, Kate and Anna grew up in the Laurentian Mountains village of Saint-Sauveur- des-Monts, where they were given piano lessons by the local nuns. They had a comfortable childhood, and music played a big part in their family life,with regular singing lessons around the piano. By the time they were teenagers, Kate and Anna had absorbed a rich musical heritage ranging from Victorian ballads to blues, and Appalachian French-Canadian folk songs to music by contemporary singer-songwriters.

During the late 60’s and early 70’s, the sisters were active on the folk music scene, when they began to write their own original material. Warner Bros. were encouraged to allow them to make a demo tape, which then lead to their eponymous album “Kate and Anna McGarrigle�? being released in 1976. It was proclaimed an instant classic by most critics, and was chosen by Melody Maker as their “Album of the Year,�? and by Stereo Review as their “Record of the Year.�? This was followed by a number of critically acclaimed albums at regular intervals through into the mid 90’s.

When not working on their own projects, the sisters have guested on numerous albums, and have made appearances at many festivals and concerts throughout Canada and the USA, as well as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Most recently they made a successful tour of the UK, culminating in an appearance at the world famous Glastonbury Festival. Although they have taken their music to audiences world-wide over the last 25 years, Kate and Anna have always maintained a close connection with the land of their origins, as it has inspired much of their music, particularly on their last album release, Matapedia, named after the river in Eastern Quebec.

The McGarrigle Hour- (HNCD 1417) is a recording of their favourite songs. With songs by the likes of Stephen Foster, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Charlie Poole, as well as some of their own, the CD bursts to overflowing, with glorious singing: solo performances, duets, harmonies, verses traded back and forth among some of North America's finest singers. Rufus Wainwright, now a burgeoning star in his own right, and his sister Martha join their parents in a heart-breaking rendition of 'What'll I Do?’ Anna harmonizes on her daughter's show-stopper 'Alice Blue Gown'. Emmylou sings a French Québec version of the Cajun classic 'Porte En Arriere' with Kate and Anna. Kate and Linda trade verses on Foster's 'Gentle Annie'. Chaim finally records his show- stopping 'Dig My Grave' from the '70s and early '80s McGarrigle concerts. And that is just a small part of a 21-track extravaganza which lasts just over an hour.

PRESS QUOTES……………..

“Supported by violin and bass, the sisters worked their way through piano, banjo, accordian and acoustic guitar with seemingly effoertless grace. You can’t say they don’t mix it!.�?

Folk Roots

“These are songs that stick with you long after the stereo is turned off, the sort of lyrics that get quoted to friends in letters, the sort of melodies that echo in your head at unexpected moments.�?

Gramavision Magazine

“Matapedia……an album of such exquisite beauty and frail purity, you wonder how you could doubt their ability to maintain and sustain the rare quality of tenderness that has been their hallmark across two decades.�?

Folk Roots

Moneypenny Agency - Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Kate & Anna McGarrigle

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