These Québécois sibs were singer-songwriters of sophisticated folk music cribbed from Irish and French-Canadian traditions, and their first two albums — 1975’s self-titled debut and ’77’s Dancer With Bruised Knees (compiled here plus demos and unreleased tracks) — influenced everyone from Emmylou Harris to Nick Cave. The McGarrigles’ songs are deceptively simple, but their inventive arrangements, unpredictable harmonizing, and hints of chanson reveal an eccentric genius.
