Singer and songwriter Mary Gauthier's recordings have always been peopled with the restless and lost, some terminally, others temporally. Her protagonists ask lots of questions. Some of them are nakedly transparent mirror images of herself or thinly disguised representations. She's conscious of it, because in her songs the only things that matter are the questions. She strips everything unnecessary in order to ask them unflinchingly. On The Foundling, she asks the biggest questions of all: "Who am I?," "Where do I come from ...
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Singer and songwriter Mary Gauthier's recordings have always been peopled with the restless and lost, some terminally, others temporally. Her protagonists ask lots of questions. Some of them are nakedly transparent mirror images of herself or thinly disguised representations. She's conscious of it, because in her songs the only things that matter are the questions. She strips everything unnecessary in order to ask them unflinchingly. On The Foundling, she asks the biggest questions of all: "Who am I?," "Where do I come from?," and "What do I do when I find out?" Gauthier was surrendered shortly after her birth to an orphanage, where she remained for a year before being adopted. She ran away at age 15 and never went back. After a raucous wandering spirit's life worthy of a Townes Van Zandt tale, she found her place in the world as a songwriter. She eventually tracked her birth mother down, who, in a phone conversation, ultimately refused to meet with her. Gauthier's records have never been easy emotionally, but this one is beyond loaded. That said, it's devoid of self-pity or any other trappings that could -- and more often than not do -- make many purposely autobiographical albums musical failures. Gauthier recorded The Foundling in Canada with producer Michael Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies; the pair used local musicians as well as Timmins' sister Margo on backing vocals. Timmins documented these songs without artifice. Backed by (mostly) acoustic instruments, his mix is natural and intimate. Gauthier uses folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, and her trademark gothic Americana to detail her story from the beginning, where an insatiable hole was dug to a conclusion where acceptance became the rite of redemption. The road is precarious; some of Gauthier's lines are scathing in their poetic observations and revelations. She co-wrote some of the album's best songs: "March 11, 1962" and "Sideshow" with Liz Rose, "Another Day Borrowed" with Darrell Scott, and "Blood Is Blood" with Crit Harmon, though others are superior to even these. One has to wonder if these collaborations were to keep her balance and focus on such a risky tightrope. Whatever the strategy, it works magnificently. There is no album in her catalog like The Foundling; it's a terrible beauty whose jewels gleam darkly, endlessly. Its songs hold truth for anyone who has either shared this experience or merely has the willingness to ask difficult questions with an open heart. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi
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Add this copy of The Foundling to cart. $6.04, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Razor & Tie.
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Seller's Description:
Gauthier; Gauthier/Harmon; Gauthier/Romanoff; Gauthier/Rose; Gauthier/Scott. Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
Add this copy of The Foundling to cart. $6.93, like new condition, Sold by North America Trader, LLC rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Old Bridge, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Razor & Tie.
Add this copy of The Foundling to cart. $6.94, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by IN THE BLACK.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Foundling to cart. $6.94, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Razor & Tie.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
