Biography
Katia and Marielle Labèque are sibling pianists renowned for their ensemble of synchronicity and energy. Their musical ambitions started at an early age and they rose to international fame with their contemporary rendition of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (one of the first gold records in classical music) and have since developed a stunning career with performances worldwide.. Katia was formerly married to English guitarist John McLaughlin and she was also a member of his band in the early 1980s.
Album & Cover
This is the eight album released by the Labeque sisters. It was produced by Katia’s then husband John McLaughlin. The music is based around compositions of ‘Ragtime’ music such as Scott Joplin, et al.
The cover is a take on the southern USA perhaps New Orleans, where two southern belles are enjoying tea while being watched by a black man through a window. One of the women, Marielle, sees the man and has a look of shock on her face. Notice the same man’s photograph on the wall. Let’s just say it was of the time…
Cover Location:
Who Did What: Cover Design – Hipgnosis/STD(Storm Thorgerson Designs). Graphics-Assorted iMaGes. Photography – A. Powell/S. Thorgerson/J. Furmanovsky/T. Mottram. Hand Tinting – R. Manning.
Label: Angel S-37980(US), EMI EMD 5541(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
Tracklist
Side One Honky-Tonk The Entertainer Rialto Ripples Antoinette Magnetic Rag Carolina Shout |
Side Two Maple Leaf Rag Elite Syncopations Streneous Life Stop-Time Bethena |
Credits
Arranged By – François Jeanneau
Engineer – Jean-Louis Rizet
Engineer [Assistant] – Laurent Peyron
Piano – Katia Labèque, Marielle Labèque
Producer, Liner Notes – John McLaughlin