From My Collection - The McGarrigles' Dancer with Bruised Knees

By Richard K. Barry

Kate and Anna McGarrigle (The McGarrigles) were a pair of singer-songwriters from Quebec. They performed as a duo until Kate's death on January 18, 2010.

Having lived in Canada for many years and as part of the Canadian folk scene for much of it, I have a special appreciation for the McGarrigles. The term is overused, but they are a Canadian treasure. It's difficult to explain their music if you have never heard it. Terrifically original material, wonderful family harmonies, traditional styles and more - in both English and French language.

As the Wiki states:

Their songs have been covered by a variety of artists including Maria Mulduar, Nana Mouskouri, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Bill Bragg, Chloe Saint-Marie, Judy Collins, Anne Sofie von Otter, and others. The covers of their songs by well known artists led to the McGarrigles getting their first recording contract in 1974. They created ten albums from 1975 through 2008.

Like a lot of people, I first heard them in their performance of a version of Wade Hemsworth's song, "The Log Driver's Waltz," which was the famous soundtrack for a 1979 animated film by the Canadian National Film Board.

Dancer with Bruised Knees is a 1977 album by Kate and Anna McGarrigle (writing credits noted):

Side One
Dancer with Bruised Knees (Anna)
Southern Boys (Kate)
No Biscuit Blues (William Dumaresq/Galt MacDermott)
First Born (Kate)
Blanche comme la neige - traditional, arrangement by Kate and Anna
Perrine était servante - traditional, arrangement by Kate and Anna

Side Two
Be My Baby (Anna)
Walking Song (Kate)
Naufragée du tendre (Anna/Philippe Tatartcheff)

Hommage à Grungie (Kate)
Kitty Come Home (Anna)
Come a Long Way (Kate)

If you are going to be anywhere near Toronto on June 15, 2012, you may want to check out a special concert at Massey Hall, part of the annual Luminato Festival, which will features the songs of Kate McGarrigle performed by a very impressive line-up.

This is from the write-up on the website:

Following all-star salutes in London and New York, Luminato brings together singer-songwriter legend Kate McGarrigle’s family and friends to celebrate her inspiring life and work. Kate’s sisters, Anna and Jane, her children, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and her niece and nephew, Lily and Sylvan Lanken, and Anna’s husband, Dane Lanken, will be joined by Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Peggy Seeger, and more than a dozen others. Additional performers to be added, stay tuned to this web page for more details.

The title of the featured song, from the album, is called "Walking Song."

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)