Ahh memories...
While packing last summer to move back to BC after 10 years in Ontario, I unearthed some treasured Lingo Sisters memories from the ‘90s and early 2000s in BC -- old disintegrating cassette tapes, photos, etc. I was excited to find out that my Lingo Sister, Janet Lillian Russell, had saved some too!
In the 90s, these Lingo Sisters recordings were made quickly and in-the-moment. They may not be perfect in terms of sound quality, but they reflect the passion and dedication we had for finding the truest harmony at the heart of each of our songs.
With great joy, Janet and I share this music and these memories with you now...
-Meg, Summer 2021

(Scroll down to listen to the albums...)

The Lingo Sisters Memories

The Lingo Sisters, Meg Tennant & Janet Lillian Russell, in 1992 (Photo by Jamie Mackie)

***

"Both are renowned singers in their own right, and together they are real show-stoppers. Their gorgeous harmonies, strong guitar work, and powerful songs make their music a constant delight."

-Steve Edge, Artistic Director,
Rogue Folk Club, Vancouver BC

Lingo Sisters – “songs from the island of the heart”...
With one guitar and two voices, Janet Lillian Russell and Meg Tennant wove their sweet harmonies through inspired stories of life and love.
For some shows, other wonderful players joined in, and it became the Lingo Sisters Band. These players included Mark Dowding (sax, flute, penny whistle, percussion), Victor Smith (violin, penny whistle), Craig McGregor (guitar), Jacques Khouri (bass), John Peterson (bass), Revellie Nixon (drums), Russell Shumsky (drums).
Lingo Sisters performances included the Islands Folk Festival, Mission Folk Music Festival, Vancouver CityFest, the Railway Club, the Town Pump, the W.I.S.E. Hall, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, South Hill Candy Shop, Montmartre Cafe, Bluebird North, Grrrls With Guitars and Just Singin' Around songwriter showcases, and opening sets for Valdy, Tom Russell, David Essig, and Slaid Cleaves. Over the years, both Janet and Meg have had a connection with the White Rock musical community, and were included in many events with the Rogue Folk Club in Vancouver.
The Lingo Sisters delighted in creating harmony vocals for their dear friend and neighbour Terry Brennan's beautiful songs. They sang with Terry on many occasions, and on his album "Storms and Dreams". The Lingo Sisters also added their voices to the recordings and performances of songwriter friends Rachel Page, Marianne Grittani and Beverley Elliott.

Albums

Lingo Sisters Band

Lingo Sisters

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(1996) Lingo Sisters Band STUDIO RECORDING of two songs in 1996. Converted from cassette tape to digital and re-mastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. The Lingo Sisters Band included Craig McGregor on guitar, Victor Smith on violin, Mark Dowding on wind instruments & percussion, Jacques Khouri on bass. Song 1 by Meg Tennant, song 2 by Janet Lillian

(1996) Lingo Sisters Band STUDIO RECORDING of two songs in 1996. Converted from cassette tape to digital and re-mastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. The Lingo Sisters Band included Craig McGregor on guitar, Victor Smith on violin, Mark Dowding on wind instruments & percussion, Jacques Khouri on bass. Song 1 by Meg Tennant, song 2 by Janet Lillian Russell. (See link for full album credits below track listing on Lingo Sisters Memories page.) Note: album is available in digital format only. Listen here for free, or download for minimum donation of $5.

1

A Day of Grace 4:10

0:00/4:10
2

Gimme What You Got 3:11

0:00/3:11

Lingo Sisters Band - ALBUM CREDITS (View, download or print album cover art, musician, songwriter and recording credits) 955 KB

Live at the Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver 1996

Lingo Sisters

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(1996) Recorded live on August 11, 1996, at Vancouver's Arts Club Theatre, where we opened the show for Beverley Elliott's CD fundraiser concert. Craig McGregor accompanied us on guitar. Re-mastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. Cover photo by Jamie Mackie. Songs 1, 3, 5, 6 by Meg Tennant, songs 2, 4 by Janet Lillian Russell. (See link for full album

(1996) Recorded live on August 11, 1996, at Vancouver's Arts Club Theatre, where we opened the show for Beverley Elliott's CD fundraiser concert. Craig McGregor accompanied us on guitar. Re-mastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. Cover photo by Jamie Mackie. Songs 1, 3, 5, 6 by Meg Tennant, songs 2, 4 by Janet Lillian Russell. (See link for full album credits below track listing on Lingo Sisters Memories page.)
Note: Album is available in digital format only. Listen here for free, or download for minimum donation of $5.

1

Secret of the Lingo 3:33

0:00/3:33
2

Lydia 3:59

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3

Party Pie 1:02

0:00/1:02
4

Bonsai Tree 3:54

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5

Bucket of Love 3:03

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6

A Day of Grace 3:19

0:00/3:19

Live at the Arts Club - ALBUM CREDITS (View, download or print album cover art, musician, songwriter and recording credits.) 1.14 MB

Gypsy Wings

Lingo Sisters

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(1994) Five songs recorded live to cassette tape in Terry Brennan's living room in 1994; converted to digital and remastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. Cover photo by Jamie Mackie. Songs 1, 4 by Janet Lillian Russell, songs 2, 3, 5 by Meg Tennant. (See link for full album credits below track listing on Lingo Sisters Memories page.) Note: This album is

(1994) Five songs recorded live to cassette tape in Terry Brennan's living room in 1994; converted to digital and remastered by Mark Ripp in 2021. Cover photo by Jamie Mackie. Songs 1, 4 by Janet Lillian Russell, songs 2, 3, 5 by Meg Tennant. (See link for full album credits below track listing on Lingo Sisters Memories page.) Note: This album is available in digital format only. Listen here for free, or download for minimum donation of $5.

1

Gypsy Wings 4:42

0:00/4:42
2

Marvie 3:20

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3

Brick by Brick 3:30

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4

Tuesday Night 4:37

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5

Horsehair Bow 2:08

0:00/2:08