From Amazon.com
Kate's Finest
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I just love Kate Rusby's pure, simple style. I've been a fan of hers since my husband bought me "Underneath the Stars" on a whim. "Awkward Annie" is Kate's best album so far, and one that I could listen to all day long. It ranges from heartbreaking ("Bitter Boy", "Daughter of Heaven") to impish ("The Old Man") to calm and strong ("Planets", my favorite track). I hope she keeps singing for a long, long time.
You have to hear this incredible singer
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I have just discovered Kate Rusby and am completely hooked. I heard her first singing the theme music for Jam & Jerusalem. Her voice is so pure and the Yorkshire Accent just adds to the charm. My favourites so far (from other albums) are 'Falling" and ,You Belong to Me'
Not to be missed!
Kate's beauty not fading with familiarity
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Kate has done it again, made a beautiful record. As my queen of folk music, Kate has once again not strayed from what she does best: used her angelic, lilting voice to bless beautiful though simple string arrangements (though not simple enough that I could ever hope to play them). This is Kate's first self-produced album, and she obviously knows what has worked for her on past albums and stays within that comfortable and warm song tradition that pulls me more and more towards her CDs in my collection. She's seemingly structured the melodies in just the right keys as to tap in to that magical special-something that happens right at the break in her voice when she slips over into her airy falsetto, just stunning.
My only complaint about this album is that I feel like Kate's voice is a little too low in the mix, maybe as a result of her producing herself and maybe feeling some small amount of self-consciousness about her own voice (just a guess). I'll just need to sit down with the liner notes to catch the lyrics that I'm not hearing as clearly as I might like.
I suspect, as with most of her other albums, that over time the melodies will seep into my subconscious so that eventually these songs will feel like I've always known them. That's when they somehow transport me to some "other country" where angels dare to tread. "Modern music" has got nothing on our wonderful little lassie Kate. God bless you, Kate. Keep up the wonderful work. PS Please tour in the USA someday. :)
(4.5 STARS) THIS YORKSHIRE LASS WILL TRANSPORT YOU TO THE ELYSIAN FIELDS OF ENGLISH (AND SCOTTISH) FOLK MUSIC
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I'm familiar with some of Kate Rusby's earlier music because she gets airplay, from time to time, on BBC radio folk music programmes - but this is her only album that I have. 'Awkward Annie' seems to follow an established pattern - a seamless mix of self-penned original songs and traditional songs from the British Isles.
THE VOCALS : KR's voice is difficult to describe (but I'll try). If you took away the American accent and country twang from Dolly Parton's vocals, and replaced it with a decidedly Yorkshire-English accent, you'd get something which comes close to KR's vocal style (listen to how she pronounces words like 'come', 'money', or 'love'). Depending upon the song, her vocals oscillate between dainty delicacy and haunting poignancy. As with Sandy Denny, her voice has an innate quality to make clocks stand still; even though Kate's alto is higher up the scale than Sandy's, I think she sings with a little more warmth. Sandy Denny had folk vibrato 'down to a fine art' and KR also uses this technique, but not quite as frequently; and, when the song demands it, KR adds a touch of understated humour to her delivery. Three songs feature some outstanding harmony vocals courtesy of Joe Rusby, Eddi Reader and Chris Thile (ex. Nickel Creek). 'Blooming Heather' ('Wild Mountain Thyme') includes vocals from operatic tenor John Hudson - you'll have to decide for yourself about the inclusion of his vocals, but I thought they sounded rather out of place.
THE SONGS : Some are melancholic, with a few conveying a real sense of loss. However, there are three or four songs with a much lighter and/or humorous mood. Many songs have a distinct 'English' character, but 'John Barbury' (var. 'Willie O Winsbury'), 'Andrew Lammie' and 'Blooming Heather' are traditional Scottish songs; whilst 'High On The Hill' has a Bluegrass influence. The second half of the album contains a couple of real 'tear jerkers' - 'Andrew Lammie' and 'Daughter of Heaven'.
THE PLAYING : The playing by the session and guest musicians is nothing short of exemplary. Instruments featured include : acoustic guitars, banjo, violins and several other stringed instruments, piano and harmonium, accordion, flute and traditional brass band instruments. The music is, essentially, semi-acoustic - only one track has electric guitar and only one other has percussion. Many songs have short instrumental bridges (something which I haven't noticed with KR's earlier music); notable performances come from, amongst others, Ian Carr (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin), Leon Hunt/Andy Seward (banjo) and Donald Shaw (piano & harmonium) - also, John McCusker's continuing influence should not be overlooked.
Highlights for me were : 'Awkward Annie' and 'High On a Hill' - both up-tempo songs with lilting melodies and fine playing (and some super harmony vocals on the latter); 'The Bitter Boy' and 'Daughter of Heaven' -two haunting songs with poignant lyrics; 'John Barbury' - a traditional song featuring some beautiful piano and flute playing; 'The Old Man' - I liked this song for it's humour, it's about an accident prone farmer whose animals ('Tidy the Cow', 'the littlest pigs', and the 'speckledy hen') seemingly conspire to give him a hard time.
This is a fine album indeed. Although the music/production has a contemporary veneer, it is still very much folk music in a neo-traditional style - it isn't folk-rock, so don't expect something along the lines of Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span. It's easy to understand why other reviewers give 'Awkward Annie' 5 stars; but, purely from a subjective point of view, I feel the album's balance would have benefitted from the inclusion of a couple more songs with a lighter mood. Additionally, I thought the harmony vocals were exceptionally good, and a little more of these would have lent some extra texture to the music. Nevertheless, highly recommended for all lovers of British folk music; fans of Sandy Denny and The Wailin' Jennys might want to 'give this a twirl' also - 4.5 stars.
If you've once heard her voice, you will never forget it
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Kate Rusby is one of the foremost musicians in the English-Celtic Traditional Folk group. If you've once heard her light, feathery voice, you won't forget her. It's light as a feather, but with the subtle tremolo that can send a listener soaring with joy or to the tissue box to wipe away a tear or two. From reading the liner notes, it appears Ms. Rusby's been through some tough times and that may be reflected in the selection of traditionals and composition of original music chosen here, particularly "Daughter of Heaven" and "Bitter Boy."
This collection of 12 songs, which runs about 52 minutes, includes four of Rusby's own compositions. They are "Awkward Annie", "The Bitter Boy", "High on a Hill", and "Planets". What amazes me about Rusby's own writing is the strong traditional sentiment. You can listen to "High on a Hill" right next to "Blooming Heather" (more commonly known as "Wild Mountain Thyme") and not realize that one of the songs was written today.
The remaining traditionals feature Rusby's arrangements, which are subtle and graceful. I've heard "Wild Mountain Thyme" from a wide variety of performers, both live and recorded and her "Blooming Heather" is one of the most beautiful.
My favorites from this CD have changed every time I listen to it. "Blooming Heather", "Daughter of Heaven" and "Planets" are the three selections that have gotten the most repeats so far, but that can change as times do.
Kate Rusby's a soothing companion on a day you just need to kick back with a cat or two in your lap and a cup of tea. If you're not familiar with traditional folk, she's a great artist to begin with. If you are, you will appreciate her elegant and evocative treatment of your old favorites.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2008
Purchases
1 Awkward Annie - Kate Rusby, Rusby, K.
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