words & photos by Chris La Putt

It's been a disorienting year for Martha Wainwright -- the Montreal-born singer/songwriter lost her mother (renown singer Kate McGarrigle) to cancer, went into labour early (thankfully delivering a healthy baby boy), and took up residence in a new and somewhat foreign home in Brooklyn.

Her remarkable skill at performing onstage is evident in her new live disc, 'Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, À Paris,' which pays homage to legendary French singer Edith Piaf. Wainwright played three nights at New York's Dixon Place Theater for the recording, singing some of Piaf's lesser-known tracks. Her renditions uphold the integrity of the originals, but she also dusts them with her own magic. [Spinner]

Monday night's intimate show at Le Poisson Rouge marked the last night of a summer tour spanning the globe from Europe to LA and back to New York. Martha was joined by C.J. Camerieri on trumpet, Will Holshouser on accordion, Doug Wieselman on guitar and clarinet, Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) on piano, and her husband Brad Albetta on bass. If you missed Martha's two shows don't fret! CBC Radio 2 recorded Martha's show at the Mondial Choral Festival in Quebec when she was backed by not one but two choirs.

Opening for the show were the Mittenstrings which incidentally is partially made up of Martha's two cousins (Anna McGarrigle is their mother) and their friend.

Speaking of family, we'll probably find out soon which "friends" showed up to the "Lucy Wainwright Roche and friends - Album Release" album release show that happened to tonight at City Winery (Ira Glass and Dave Hill at a minimum). And tickets are still on sale for Rufus's December 6th show at Carnegie Hall

This post contains pictures from Monday night's show. They continue, with a video from the show of Martha covering Kate McGarrigle's Tell My Sister, below...

Continue reading "Martha Wainwright sang Piaf @ Le Poisson Rouge (pics)"

Martha Wainwright singing Edith Piaf @ Spiegeltent (more by Chris La Putt)

Martha Wainwright has sung the songs of Edith Piaf in the past, and she'll do it again for three shows on Sunday, June 14th and Monday, June 15th at Dixon Place Theater (161 Chrystie St). Tickets are still on sale for the Monday 10pm show.

She'll be recording the sets with producer Hal Willner for a live record; her band will include electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Doug Wieselman, bassist Brad Albetta and pianist Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman - who's got his own show Thurday, June 18th at Le Poisson Rouge with Sam Amidon and members of the National).

Just a few days later, on Wednesday, June 17th, some other Wainwrights (Loudon Wainwright III, Sloan Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche) will perform a free "Wainwright Family Concert" at the Madison Square Park Oval. Martha and Rufus are not on that bill, but they are playing the "Not So Silent Night" show set for December at London's Royal Albert Hall with the McGarrigle side of their family (Martha + Rufus = children of Louden + Kate McGarrigle). Tickets are on sale. Poster below.

Martha will also play two free outdoor NYC shows of her own this summer. She's appearing at part of the Tribute to Sly and the Family Stone at Castle Clinton on Thursday, July 16th. Then on August 14th and 15th, she'll play Central Park Summerstage with Morphoses and the Wheeldon Company. That night is billed as...

A very special evening of dance and music that will feature a world premiere by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, set to new music by Martha Wainwright, both commissioned by City Parks Foundation.

Finally, out in Long Island near the end of the summer Martha will play the The Watermill Center in Watermill, NY on August 29th with brother Rufus and Norah Jones, who'll sing together for the first time. Martha will play songs from her Edith Piaf project. Tickets are on sale.

Videos of Martha doing her Edith Piaf thing, with all tour dates and "A Not So Silent Night" poster, below...

Continue reading "Martha Wainwright - 3 Edith Piaf shows, Castle Clinton, Summerstage, Watermill & other 2009 tour dates "

photos by Chris La Putt

Thomas Bartlett (Doveman)

Martha Wainwright

Martha Wainwright played Spiegelworld's Spiegeltent in NYC near the South Street Seaport last night (Sept 16). As usual, she was joined on stage by a cast of talented musicians - some friends, some relatives. Unlike usual, this show, entitled "Martha Wainwright sings Edith Piaf", was heavy on the Piaf covers. She said it was a rehearsal of sorts for a future recording. The setlist also included "Dis quand reviendras-tu?" by Barbara, a French folk song sung by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and a Josephine Baker song performed by Rufus. More pictures and the setlist below...

Continue reading "Martha Wainwright sang Edith Piaf @ Spiegeltent w/ Rufus, Doveman, Kate & Anna too - pics, setlist"