Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle

This week I have been playing "Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle" as often as possible. The album, which was recently released on Nonesuch Records, is a collection of recordings from a series of tribute concert led by Kate's children Rufus and Martha Wainwright, and organized by Joe Boyd (who produced the album, as well as many of The McGarrigle's early recordings).

"(Talk to Me of) Mendocino" is easily one of the highlights for me, and truly demonstrates what a brilliant songwriter the late Ms. McGarrigle was. Simple melodies, sparse piano accompaniment, yet has the ability to convey a very specific sense of time, place, and emotion. A task that is not easily accomplished in song, but is a hallmark of much of her work ("Saratoga Summer Song" is another example of this, a song which Teddy Thompson perfectly delivers on the album).





The album is not only a wonderful introduction to Ms. McGarrigle, but also brings light to many artists who you may not of heard before. While the likes of Emmylou Harris and Norah Jones need no introduction, Krystle Warren is an artist I discovered through these concerts. When I attended a screening of Lian Lunson's documentary film "Sing Me the Songs That Say I Love You: A Concert for Kate McGarrigle" at the San Francisco International Film Festival, it was Ms. Warren that left the crowd in complete silence.  Everyone was floored by what she brought to the concert.  Her performance of "I Don't Know" brings a new touch of gospel-influenced soul to a body of work that has foremost been in the hands of folksingers.  Tribute concerts often run the risk of simply mimicking the artists being recognized.  While this demonstrates the influence the honoree has had on other musicians, it does nothing to contribute or add to the greater good of the original song.  This is not the case with Ms. Warren, as she takes complete ownership of "I Don't Know" and makes it her own.


 

Proceeds from the album will be donated to the Kate McGarrigle Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money in the fight against sarcoma and also to preserving her legacy through the arts