Song:Travelin' On For Jesus
Album:Kate & Anna McGarrigle
The Canadian folk duo Kate & Anna McGarrigle seemed like an unlikely signing for Warner Bros. Records back in the 70s but the McGarrigles wisely got together with a producer who knew how to sell them without watering them down. The McGarrigle sisters were born in the Montreal suburb of St-Sauveur-des-Monts. Anna was born Dec. 4, 1944 and Kate was born Feb. 6, 1946. They sang in Montreal coffeehouses in the 60s as part of the folk group Mountain City Four. What got them attention at Warner Bros. was when the group McKendree Spring recorded Anna's song Heart Like A Wheel in 1972 and Linda Ronstadt made it the title song of her very popular 1975 album. Then some of their other songs were recorded by others including Warners star Maria Muldaur. Her producer was Joe Boyd. Boyd was an American producer known for his work with British folk groups like Fairport Convention. So the McGarrigles' deal was more with him than with Warners. Their 1975 debut had several special guests including guitarists Lowell George, David Spinozza & Hugh McCracken, mandolin player David Grisman, jazz sax player Plas Johnson, bassist Tony Levin and drummer Steve Gadd. It's a great album but it's not like the McGarrigles were ever going to be pop singers. They recorded a couple more albums for Warners but left when Joe Boyd started Hannibal Records in 1980. Hannibal released Kate & Anna McGarrigle on CD in 1993. Of course as many fans know, Kate was once married to Loudon Wainwright III and their children Rufus & Martha Wainwright are both acclaimed musicians. Kate & Anna do surface occasionally but have concentrated on family over the years. Their most recent CD The McGarrigles Christmas Hour was released on Nonesuch Records Oct. 2005. Here's Kate & Anna McGarrigle performing Complaine Pour Ste. Catherine in 1981.
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