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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZROCHES, TheVocal trio. Sisters Maggie (b 26 October 1951, Detroit; d 21 January 2017 of breast cancer) and Terre (b 10 April 1953, NYC) began singing together in NYC late '60s, backed Paul Simon on a '72 album, and he was one of the producers on their Seductive Reasoning '75 on CBS. They were joined the next year by sister Suzzy (b NYC); all three play guitar. They grew up in a New Jersey suburb, encouraged by their father, an actor; they sounded like an off-the-wall folk group with astonishing singing, close harmony and influences pulled from every direction. Suzzy emceed with the humour of a goofy brat; Terre was her foil, had the best voice and played good guitar, while Maggie looked after the synths and drums. The Roches '79, Nurds '80, Keep On Doing '82 and Another World '85 were all on WB; the first three charted in USA, the first and third produced by Robert Fripp; the rock-influenced fourth should have been strong chart material but was ignored. Most of the songs are Maggie's but Terre was also a good writer; they are often hip and/or whimsical but then they'll break your heart (as with Maggie's 'The Married Men'); lyrics are worth listening to, often with a wrinkle in them, such as 'I'm prob'ly not the kind of girl you think you want' ('I Fell In Love' on Keep On Doing). Like Jo Stafford in a previous generation, they are good enough to be able to sing a cappella and/or slightly off key (cf. 'One Season' on Nurds). Further albums: No Trespassing EP on Rhino '87, Speak on MCA/Paradox '89, Christmas album Three Kings '90 later on Rykodisc, A Dove on MCA '92 and an award-winning kiddie album Will You Be My Friend? The death of their father from Alzheimer's affected Can We Go Home Now? '95 on Rykodisc. They contributed to film Crossing Delancy '88, did voices of singing roaches in Spielberg's Tiny Toons cartoons, and recorded with Philip Glass. Influenced by Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell etc, they in turn have influenced Kathy Mattea, the Indigo Girls and others; they are close to the McGarrigles (the connection being Loudon Wainwright, as well as heart-melting harmony). Suzzy's solo Holy Smokes '97 on Red House (with Maggie helping) was on the sombre side, with shafts of light and wit. They made a final trio album, Moonswept, in 2007. |