Kate McGarrigle, first diagnosed with cancer in 2006, succumbed to clear cell sarcoma just a few weeks shy of what would've been her 64th birthday.
Of course any mention of Kate becomes a family affair...she was best known as half of the singing McGarrigle Sisters (their first album arrived in 1975) and her marriage to Loudon Wainwright III yielded a new generation of performers, Martha Wainwright and Rufus Wainwright.
Born in Quebec, the McGarrigles were always special favorites in their native country, and they received Juno Awards for their albums Matapedia (1997) and The McGarrigle Hour (1999). The 15 songs in your download are from the latter, an album of 21 songs that indeed featured guest appearances from yet another McGarrigle sister (Jane) as well as Loudon, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, plus Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Their last album was "The McGarrigle Christmas Hour" in 2005.
Kate last performed around Christmas of 2009. Her turn for the worse caused Rufus to cancel his February tour dates to be by her side. With the medication she was taking, her last days were described as peaceful. Her older sister Anna wrote on their website: "She departed in a haze of song and love surrounded by family and good friends. She is irreplaceable and we are broken-hearted."
Among the songs in the download: What'll I Do, Cool River, Young Love, Year of the Dragon, Forever and the Same, Time On My Hands, Goodnight Sweetheart and Bon Voyage. By all means, buy the album to get the full sound quality, all titles, and the karma that comes from giving money when it's due. To give money to Kate's charity, visit: http://www.muhcfoundation.com/en/mcgarrigle_about
Kate McGarrigle and The McGarrigle Hour 15 song sampler.
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