Robert Christgau said the album is "not as tuneful as some might wish" but is nonetheless "even better than the debut". He particularly complimented the studio techniques.[6]The Globe and Mail determined that "their songwriting is serious business but the informality of their records remains their most charming asset".[9]The New York Times noted that "there is an element of coyness here that is slightly disconcerting... And the songs—Anna's in particular—don't match the great songs on the first album."[10]
Anna McGarrigle - banjo, button accordion on "First Born" and "Come a Long Way", keyboards, vocals (tracks A1, A5-B1, B3, B5, B6)
Kate McGarrigle - guitar, piano, button accordion on "Blanche Comme la Neige" and "Perrine Etait Servante", organ on "Kitty Come Home", banjo on "Come a Long way", vocals (tracks A2-A6, B2-B4, B6)
John Cale - organ on "Dancer with Bruised Knees"; marimba on "Be My Baby"
Ken Pearson - organ on "First Born" and "Be My Baby", electric piano on "Naufragee du Tendre (Shipwrecked)"
Warren Smith - congas on "First Born"
Chaim Tannenbaum - guitar, harmonica on "The Biscuit Song" and "Hommage a Grungie", mandolin and recorder on "Blanche Comme la Neige", recorder on "Perrine Etait Servante", backing vocals