Tell My Sister


Tell My Sister is a three-disc compilation album consisting of songs recorded by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. It was released by Nonesuch Records as a box set on May 3, 2011, a year after Kate's death. The first two discs contain Kate & Anna McGarrigle's first two albums, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and Dancer with Bruised Knees. The third disc comprises demos, including acoustic versions and other previously unreleased tracks.

Critical reception

Tell My Sister received generally favorable reviews from critics. Andrew Hultkrans of Spin wrote that "The McGarrigles’ songs are deceptively simple, but their inventive arrangements, unpredictable harmonizing, and hints of chanson reveal an eccentric genius." Another favorable review of the album was written by AllMusic's Mark Deming, who gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. In his review of the album, Deming wrote that it was "a superb tribute to the McGarrigle Sisters' formative years," adding that "while this was doubtless created with serious fans in mind, there are few better introductions to the magic they created than the music included here."

Track listing

Disc 1

This disc consists entirely of the McGarrigles' first album, Kate & Anna McGarrigle.
  1. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" – 2:47
  2. "My Town" – 2:57
  3. "Blues in D" – 2:43
  4. "Heart Like a Wheel" – 3:08
  5. "Foolish You" – 3:02
  6. " Mendocino" – 3:08
  7. "Complainte pour Ste-Catherine" – 2:48
  8. "Tell My Sister" – 3:37
  9. "Swimming Song" – 2:26
  10. "Jigsaw Puzzle of Life" – 2:29
  11. "Go Leave" – 3:19
  12. "Travellin' on for Jesus" – 2:42

Disc 2

This disc consists entirely of the McGarrigles' second album, Dancer with Bruised Knees.
  1. "Dancer with Bruised Knees" – 3:46
  2. "Southern Boys" – 3:20
  3. "No Biscuit Blues" – 1:43
  4. "First Born" – 3:55
  5. "Blanche comme la neige" – 3:44
  6. "Perrine était servante" – 3:14
  7. "Be My Baby" – 3:11
  8. "Walking Song" – 3:33
  9. "Naufragée du tendre" – 3:46
  10. "Hommage à Grungie" – 3:54
  11. "Kitty Come Home" – 4:36
  12. "Come a Long Way" – 2:17

Disc 3

This disc, entitled Tell My Sister consists of previously unreleased recordings by the McGarrigles.
  1. "The Work Song" – 3:09
  2. "Come Back Baby" – 3:28
  3. "Jigsaw Puzzle of Life" – 2:27
  4. "Saratoga Summer Song" – 3:53
  5. "Annie" – 3:45
  6. "On My Way to Town" – 2:34
  7. "Roses Blanches" – 2:39
  8. "Heart Like a Wheel" – 2:43
  9. "Kiss and Say Goodbye" – 2:48
  10. "Southern Boys" – 2:56
  11. "Willie Moore" – 4:03
  12. "Oliver, Remember Me?" – 1:23
  13. "My Town" – 2:43
  14. "Blues in E" – 2:06
  15. "Walking Song" – 2:25
  16. "Tell My Sister" – 3:35
  17. "Over the Hill" – 2:35
  18. "Come a Long Way" – 1:52
  19. " Mendocino" – 3:02
  20. "Heart Like a Wheel" – 2:32
  21. " Mendocino" – 2:56