The great Canadian songwriter, musician and singer Kate McGarrigle has passed on, leaving behind a musical legacy which includes songs like Mendocino, performed with her sister and collaborator Anna.
“If, when we die, we go somewhere,” (in Tom Paxton’s words) perhaps Kate and Stan Rogers are up there engaged in friendly arguments about which of their respective families is the First Family of Canadian music, in between jamming and collaborating.
A great musical family. The sisters harmonising together was so beautiful.
What a shame. It looks like the old LPs will be out tonight.
Thanks for posting this, Paul. Their first record was a revelation, and the rest were not far behind.
Regrettably I can’t find an original version or live McGarrigle version of Kate’s “Kiss And Say Goodbye” on YouTube, but this cover ain’t bad.
The McGarrigles had authenticity and it was apparent in the voices. What a treasure.
For those who don’t know, she is the mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright from her marriage to Loudon Wainwright III.
So young still, farewell to Kate, who wrote so well about farewells. Another of her songs I love is Go, Leave, sadly I can’t find a clip online. There is a lovely little snippet of Mendocino in the novel Anil’s Ghost: