Mcgarrigle Hour

Kate & Anna McGarrigle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000DCWD
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,638 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #59 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Singer Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

It's a family affair. The harmonizing sisters gather round the old piano with kids (Rufus and Martha Wainwright), friends (Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt), and even Kate's ex-hubby, Loudon Wainwright III. Kate and Anna have been performing together for decades, somehow managing to avoid pitfalls along the way. The McGarrigle Hour shows they're not in a race to overtake anyone, but they're not coasting, either. --Steven Stolder

Product Description

Kate & Anna McGarrigle are Canadian songwriting sisters whose talents came to global recognition in 1974 when Linda Ronstadt recorded Anna's "Heart Like A Wheel". The McGarrigle Sisters were signed to Warner Brothers and recorded three albums. The sisters then recorded two albums for Joe Boyd's label, Hannibal, in the early 80's. In 1998, they joined Boyd along with family and friends to record "The McGarrigle Hour". Ryko celebrates The McGarrigle Hour as part of the Ryko Analogue Vinyl Series. This version includes a set of liner notes from Joe Boyd, penned especially for this LP release. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great songs, great singing, July 15, 2003

By 

bob turnley (birmingham,al,usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mcgarrigle Hour (Audio CD)

What more could you ask for? Kate and Anna alone are worth the price of admission. But add Loudon, Rufus and Martha Wainwright as well as Rondstadt and Emmylou and you've got a folk/pop summit that succeeds on every level. Its low-key without being tedious or repetitious. Old songs, new songs: they all sound absolutely perfect. As far as having issues behind the music, Fleetwood Mac has nothing on this clan. Not only is Loudon Kate's ex, but Rufus and Martha have issues with Loudon for being not only absent but(in their young eyes) abusive as well.
I most enjoy the new songs by Rufus and Martha but the performance that most transports one to folk singing nirvana is the traditional 'Johnny Has Gone to Hilo' a gorgeous song sung here in a fantastic arrangement. A recording to be cherished.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In The Spring I Had Great Hunger, May 29, 2001

By 

David Bradley "David Bradley" (Sterling, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mcgarrigle Hour (Audio CD)

Such a warm, charming album. It's as if Garrison Keiler handed over the stage of "A Prairie Home Companion" to the McGarrigles, and they refused to give it back for a whopping 21 songs.

The selections are eclectic--including titles from Stephen Foster, Irving Berling, Cole Porter, the McGarrigles, and a host of traditional tunes--yet work together to create one grand harmonious form, like a giant American quilt.

I sound a bit NPR-ish, I know, but I was so surprised at my reaction to this record that I push it on everyone I know. If you're a fan of good singing, or American traditional music, or just plain good music, you will love THE MCGARRIGLE HOUR.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best music you can find today, March 10, 2002

By 

KhyberNY "KhyberNY" (NEW YORK, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mcgarrigle Hour (Audio CD)

I am not sure why I love their music so much, it does not demand attention the same way as the music of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan or Lucinda Willims. But the Mcgarrigles write and sing witty and sensitive songs better than anyone else can and I am totally mesmerized by it. It brings me back to to another place and time, when people still cared about things (you know, pre-MTV, Survivor, etc, etc). This album has a couple of stand out tracks, and of course Rufus W takes over whenever he appears on a track but that's cool, because they are all so talented and so under appreciated. Get this if you want to treat yourself to some really amazing music that sounds like it was recorded around the fireplace somewhere in Montreal.