Tunes for Tuesdays: Martha Wainwright

It is a rare trait for a musician to possess -- the power to mesmerize an audience with a simple acoustic guitar and a voice that transcends the song itself.

For Martha Wainwright, it's just another night on the road and another stage to dominate.

Now, I know this Tunes for Tuesdays segment of Cute, Queer, Canadian is rather dominated by folk-oriented, singer-songwriter types who are thoughtful, introspective, and hushed when it comes to their sound. Technically, Ms. Wainwright was born into this culture known as the North American folk scene. She is the daughter of the late Canadian folk singer, Kate McGarrigle, and American singer and actor, Loudon Wainwright III. If you follow the branches of her family tree a little further, you will also discover that she is the younger sister of the powerhouse known as Rufus Wainwright.

Music is fused into her genetic code.

But, I digress.

Though Martha Wainwright is often categorized as a folk musician due to her lineage, I would argue she far surpasses the genre's boundaries. Her lyrics are intimate and intense in their emotional clarity, though her language is modern and accessible. Her voice is filled with a palpable tension -- one moment she is delicate and sorrowful, the next she is resolute and unshakeable. She's one of the few artists out there who achieves her greatest potential live and under the lights of the stage. Now, that's not to discredit her studio albums at all. Instead, it proves just how formidable a talent she is.

Ms. Wainwright officially launched her career in 1998 when she recorded "The Year of the Dragon" for the The McGarrigle Album, a disc released by her mother, Kate, and her aunt, Anna McGarrigle. Martha Wainwright provided backing vocals on tours and recordings for her older brother, Rufus, before she decided to tackle her own studio album.

The first track I'd like to share with you this evening comes from her self-titled debut album released in 2005. I was torn over which song to post here -- there's the romantic, dreamy "When The Day Is Short" (which also has an official music video) and then there's the raw, unapologetic "Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole" (oooh, blog censorship).

I have opted for the second choice. I was floored when I first heard this track. Floored in the good sense. I'll let you test the waters for yourself:

I KNOW. I developed a massive crush on her after I heard this track. I mean, I love a woman who can balance that intense vulnerability with a sharp, unforgiving edge. Simply amazing, that's all I can say to that.

The second track to share hails from Leonard Cohen's music catalogue. The tribute-concert -meets-documentary, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, highlights the best of the poet-singer's archive through the voices of the Wainwrights, the McGarrigles, the Thompsons, and other impressive musicians. Yes, it was an extensive family affair when it came to the soundtrack and Martha Wainwright provided a fresh, exciting take on Cohen's collection. Here she is performing "Tower of Song" on Late Night with David Letterman:

Still need more of Ms. Wainwright? I would be remiss to mention her other credits for new fans reading this now:

• 2006: Featured on Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open ("Set the Fire to the Third Bar")
• 2008: Released her second studio album, I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings, Too. The album features music legends Pete Townshend (The Who), Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Garth Hudson (The Band), and numerous family members
• 2009: Released Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, à Paris: Martha Wainwright's Piaf Record. Yes! She sings in French, too! Hurrah for bilingualism.

Without a doubt, Martha Wainwright is a force to be reckoned with. Though, really, why reckon with a voice like hers when its far more fun to succumb?