Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif – CKCU – February 4, 2025: Remembering Jane McGarrigle and Garth Hudson

Stranger Songs with Mike Regenstreif finds connections and develops themes in various genres. The show is broadcast on CKCU, 93.1 FM, in Ottawa on Tuesdays from 3:30 until 5 pm (Eastern time) and is also available 24/7 for on-demand streaming.

This episode of Stranger Songs was recorded and can be streamed on-demand, now or anytime, by clicking on “Listen Now” at … https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/595/68828.html

Themes: Remembering Jane McGarrigle (1941-2025) and Garth Hudson (1937-2025).

Remembering Jane McGarrigle

Jane McGarrigle, the older sister and frequent collaborator of Kate & Anna McGarrigle, died on January 24 at age 83. Jane was an old friend that I’d known since I started producing concerts with Kate & Anna in 1974.

The next four songs are among Kate & Anna’s recordings that Jane sang and/or played on.

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Heart Like a Wheel

Tell My Sister: Kate & Anna McGarrigle (Nonesuch)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Blanche Comme La Neige

Tell My Sister: Dancer with Bruised Knees (Nonesuch)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Perrine Etait Servante

Tell My Sister: Dancer with Bruised Knees (Nonesuch)

Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Move Over Moon

Love Over and Over (Polygram)

Jane McGarrigle sang the lead vocal on “Bon Voyage.”

Jane, Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Bon Voyage

The McGarrigle Hour (Hannibal)

“Love Is” was co-written by Kate, Anna & Jane McGarrigle.

Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Love Is

Heartbeats Accelerating (Private)

The What Four included Jack Nissenson & Peter Weldon of the original Mountain City Four with Jane McGarrigle, Kathleen Weldon, Lily Lanken, John Knowles, Marvin Segal, Andrew Cowan & Stephen Barry.

The What Four- Shenandoah

Mountain City Four (Omnivore)

Remembering Garth Hudson

Garth Hudson – who died on January 21 at age 87 – was the last surviving original member of The Band. Garth played organ, accordion, electric keyboards and saxophone with The Band and was their principal arranger.

After Garth died, Bob Dylan released a statement that said Garth Hudson “was a beautiful guy and the real driving force behind The Band. Just listen to the original recording of ‘The Weight’ and you’ll see.”

The Band- The Weight

Music from Big Pink (Capitol)

The Band- Stage Fright

Stage Fright (Capitol)

The Band- Acadian Driftwood

Northern Lights-Southern Cross (Capitol)

Chantel Kreviazuk with Garth Hudson- Tears of Rage

Garth Hudson Presents a Canadian Celebration of The Band: 10th Anniversary Edition (Curve Music)

Bruce Cockburn & Blue Rodeo with Garth Hudson- Sleeping

Garth Hudson Presents a Canadian Celebration of The Band: 10th Anniversary Edition (Curve Music)

Great Big Sea with Garth Hudson- Knockin’ Lost John

Garth Hudson Presents a Canadian Celebration of The Band: 10th Anniversary Edition (Curve Music)

Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle with Garth Hudson- You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

Garth Hudson Presents a Canadian Celebration of The Band: 10th Anniversary Edition (Curve Music)

Garth Hudson also played on many albums as a session musician. The next four songs are some examples.

Leonard Cohen- Our Lady of Solitude

Recent Songs (Columbia)

Eric Andersen- Violets of Dawn

Woodstock Under the Stars (Y&T Music)

Karla Bonoff- The Water is Wide

All My Life: The Best of Karla Bonoff (Columbia/Legacy)

Colin Linden with Rick Danko & Garth Hudson- When the Spirit Comes

When the Spirit Comes (True North)

Garth & Maud Hudson- No Depression in Heaven

The Harry Smith Project: Anthology of American Folk Music Revisited (Shout! Factory)

Next week: Four Strong Winds.

--Mike Regenstreif 

Various Artists – The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs

VARIOUS ARTISTS

The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs

Doubloon Records

thebeautifulold.com

Popular music began to change in the 1920s with the advent of radio and phonograph records. Before records, in the 1800s and early-1900s, it was the sale of sheet music that led to hit songs. People bought sheet music so they could play the songs in their living rooms, or parlors. Songs from that era are often referred to as parlor music.

On The Beautiful Old: Turn-of-the-Century Songs, producers Paul Marsteller and Gabriel Rhodes have assembled a lovely compilation of parlor songs from between 1805 and 1918 – including a couple of instrumentals – performed by a stellar collection of singers and musicians. The songs are performed strictly on instruments that could have been used back in the day. Despite the fact that the performers span several generations, several genres of music and come from a couple of continents, there is a seamless quality to the production – thanks, no doubt, to the lovely arrangements and excellent performances.

Among my favorite selections are Richard Thompson and Christine Collister’s perfectly charming version of “The Band Played On,” which opens the CD; Jimmy LaFave’s heartfelt rendering of “Long Time Ago”; and Eric Bibb’s uncharacteristic take on “Just A-Wearyin’ For You,” a song once performed by Paul Robeson, his legendary godfather.

Another favorite is Carrie Elkin’s version of “The Dying Californian.” When Kimmie Rhodes adds her lovely harmony to Carrie’s voice I’m reminded of hearing Kate and Anna McGarrigle sing some of the parlor songs they were raised on.

Kimmie Rhodes – whose West Texas Heaven remains one of my all-time favorite country albums – turns in three great performances as lead vocalist. And, if I have a new discovery thanks to this album, it’s Kimmie’s daughter, Jolie Goodnight, who sings two songs including the folksong, “Silver Dagger.”

I also couldn’t help but smile listening to Dave Davies of the Kinks sing “After the Ball” or be moved by Christine Collister’s touching rendition of “Home Sweet Home.”

Of special note among the instrumentalists are pianist Garth Hudson of The Band and producer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Rhodes (Kimmie’s son).

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--Mike Regenstreif