Dancer With Bruised Knees

Canadian sisters Kate and Anna McGarrigle delivered a one-two punch when their 1976 debut was followed with this sterling album the next year. Gorgeous, heartbreakingly beautiful,forthright, and honest--this is timeless music. Their songsof love, loss and family are rooted in a sense of place that's positively palpable. The warm ensemble playing uses a few of their Montreal cohorts as well as some high profile session players. It is to the McGarrigle's credit that they can imbue each song with an immediacy that makes it sound asif they're sitting comfortably in their living room. Never completely at home on the concert stage (though consequentlyquite endearing), in the studio they thrive on the interplay with other musicians. All the players here are totally in the service of these crystalline songs. This and the McGarrigle's self-titled debut are essential albums.