Kate Rusby

Concerts

The Nottingham Post

December 2011 – Nottingham Playhouse

After cancelling two shows last week due to losing her voice the sell-out crowd at the Playhouse were relieved to find Kate Rusby in fine voice to deliver her annual helping of Christmas cheer.

Drawing from a reertoire of traditional South Yorkshire carols and numbers from her new CD, While Mortals Sleep, Kate gave plenty of opportunity for us to join in.

There was something for everyone – from a heart-rendering version of Little Town of Bethlehem to While Shepherds Watched, sung to the tune of On Ilkley Moor Bah T’at.

With minimal but sensitive accompaniment from expert accordion player Julian Sutton and guitar and banjo from usband, Damien O’Kane, her arrangements conjured up traditional country Christmas times of yesteryear with perfect harmonies and a touch of melancholy.

The much-loved brass quintet added to the festive mood and homely atmosphere, particularly on numbers like the ancient Holmfirth Anthem and Sheperds Arise, which stirred the audience to a united harmony.

A great evening with Rusby reminding us yet again that music is indeed at the heart of Christmas happiness.

Sue Crawford

The Arts Desk (on line review)

December 2011 – London Barbican

Kate Rusby’s Christmas show was a brilliant way to get that festive feeling. Standing on a stage lit by three huge glittering stars and a collection of colourful glowing baubles, she and her band (“the boys”) worked their way through a surprising and heartwarming selection of traditional carols, set to unusual tunes and with creative flare.

The Barnsley Nightingale’s version of “While Shepherd’s Watch their Flock by Night” was set to the tune of “On Ilkley Moor Bar T’at”. It was extraordinary. She sang “And this shall be the sign” instead of the bar t’at bit. At every introduction of a new song she said, quite genuinely, “Oh, I absolutely love this one,” before telling us the backstory of how the ditty is sung in pubs in her native Yorkshire and encouraging us to join in on the chorus.

The rather sedate, seated audience at the Barbican took a while to warm up to Rusby’s beseeches to sing along, only really getting into it towards the end. There were plenty of “Ho ho hos” and “Jingle, jingles” on “Kris Kringle”, but Rusby was left to bring all the Christmas cheer herself as the audience remained silent. She didn’t falter though and, as she chatted and joked throughout, seemed at home on stage and was having a brilliant time. I last saw Rusby at the Cambridge Folk Festival in July, and (although she was good there, too) by comparison last night she seemed to be having a ball.

There was an entire brass section to support Rusby and her usual band of “boys” (which includes her husband Damien O’Kane). The cornet, trumpets and trombones provided rich and clear refrains on a folk version of “The Holly and the Ivy”. Surrounded by nine blokes Rusby shone brightly, her beautiful voice and relaxed confidence breaking through the layered sound emanating from around her.

It was a good moment when introducing “Seven Joys of Good Mary” for Rusby to confess to the audience that the slight bump visible beneath her little black dress was there because “me and him [O’Kane] are having another baby. I thought I’d tell you in case you thought it was too many mince pies”. She launched into a graceful new song, “Homes”, and gave an interesting rendition of a Dorset carol called “Shepherd’s Arise”.

During the second half Rusby and the brass section disappeared for 10 minutes leaving the stage to O’Kane and the other three boys who performed an excellent and gruelling medley of fast-paced folk tunes. Continuing the evening’s light and silly theme, the players hid a few “cultural Christmas references” in their short set, so occasionally a few bars of “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer” or Howard Blake’s “Walking in the Air” would interrupt. “I knew you’d love it!” exclaimed Rusby running back on stage amid shrieks and applause.

Finishing with a familiar version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, which made the hairs on my neck stand up, Rusby and the boys left to wild applause. But she topped the evening off by returning to do “Underneath the Stars” as an encore. Having not felt Christmassy yet this year, I left humming carols and wondering where I can buy the CD.

Matilda Battersby

Manx Independent

December 2011 – Elsecar Heritage Centre, Barnsley (Preview Concert)

I’ve long been a fan of Kate Rusby’s first collection of Christmas songs, called Sweet Bells.

The traditional South Yorkshire carols and tunes, thrown out of the church in Victorian times for being too jolly and kept alive in the area’s annual pub sings, are a fine backdrop to the festive season.

So it was with much delight that I first listened to While Mortals Sleep, a follow-up album of the same ilk that brings to life some fine folk versions of great Christmas tunes such as Joy to the World, Little Town of Bethlehem and Shepherds Arise.

There’s also less well-known tracks such as The Wren, Diadem, Home, Kris Kringle and Cranbrook, the latter an addictive anthem that matches shepherds watching their flocks with the music to Ilkley Moor Bar T’at.

This tune was originally called Cranbrook, Kate told festive fans on the opening night of her now obligatory Christmas tour at a disused factory on the outskirts of her native Barnsley.

Her live performance matches the CDs for sheer beautiful vocal quality and a now tight-knit band brings everything together brilliantly.

With stars atop the stage and fairy lights around the speakers, seeing Rusby perform these local carols in their original setting before embarking on a tour calling at London and Newcastle, among other places, was a real joy, cold though the huge industrial building was.

It was so cold, in fact, that Rusby – now pregnant and expecting child number two in May – abandoned her ‘going out cardigan’ for something heavier and warmer.

Putting on her Christmas CDs and seeing her live is now a part of a yuletide tradition for me, marking the start of festivities as much as viewing the Coca Cola lorry for the first time or biting into a mince pie once again.

But there’s a serious musical trend going on here, too, and not just the popular revival of some carols and tunes that have remained hidden away in pubs for decades.

Rusby, along with Michael Buble and a few others, are finally bringing out new material worth listening to at Christmas and reducing the dependency on the odd ‘in your face’ classics from the 1970s and 80s.

Peter Naldrett

Buzz Magazine, South Wales Cultural Monthly

December 2010 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff

As I cough and croak my way into Cardiff, convinced that I’m on the brink of bubonic plague, the capital’s wintry air seems like a significantly less than adequate replacement for my bed.  But as I shuffle into the hall, my ailments are swiftly forgotten.  Greeted by a spectacularly Christmassy stage setting with stars on high and Christmas trees galore, my splutters are immediately swapped for smiles. Within seconds Kate tiptoes into the spotlight, all beaming cheeriness and charming beauty, and sweeps into an exquisitely heart-melting rendition of ‘Joy to the World’.  Accompanied by a new lineup, Rusby’s velvet voice naturally breathes with the magic of Yuletide and seems like the best medicine of all.

The show comes as an early Christmas treat, with Kate and co. offering a sprinkling of newer tracks from her latest (and first entirely self-penned) album ‘Make the Light’ in amongst plenty of chrimbo glee from her ‘Sweet Bells’ longplayer.  We’re also gifted further goodies in the shape of guitarist and husband O’Kane’s stunningly hypnotic ‘Summer Hill’ and two of melodeon man Julian Sutton’s rousing instrumental contributions.

Set highlight, the spirited optimism of ‘Walk the Road’ sees the brass quintet of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band add a stirring grace to proceedings as they continue to do all night, while ‘Sweet Bells’ is just lovely – Rusby’s voice soft as fresh snow, pretty as a sparkling Christmas star.  The incandescent purity of her voice shines through yet again on the achingly alluring ‘Only Hope’ and I find myself crossing my fingers in the vain hope that the show won’t ever end.

Her between-song banter is as endearingly charming as ever, with her delightfully warm chit-chat making it feel more like we’re sat in the living room with our new best friend than in a concert hall with the defining voice of English folk music.  Her gracious smiles are as infectious as the melodies she conjures and it’s impossible not to leave St David’s Hall utterly smitten with such an exceptionally talented and down-to-earth performer.

My only complaint is that the show did end, despite my best finger-crossing efforts, but I’m left wishing that the soundtrack to every winter evening could be this ruddy beautiful.

Owen Jones

The Lancaster and Morecambe Reporter

October 2010 – The Lowry, Salford

A friend of mine once called me a nerd for liking folk music.  And while I haven’t quite got the tweed cap and corduroy trousers just yet, I do own the complete discography of Kate Rusby.

It was Bob Harris and his Radio 2 show that first brought the folk singer to my attention.  After hearing the Barnsley-born singer’s single The Unquiet Grave, I promptly went out and bought her Sleepless album.  Some 10 years later and five trips to see Kate live and I’m still hooked.

Whether you’re a folk fan or not, I doubt anyone would say they don’t appreciate a great singing voice.  ’The voice of an angel and the accent of a Barnsley tyke’.  Kate’s real charm is in the banter between songs.

And turning up to her Hallowe’en show at Salford’s The Lowry on Sunday, October 31, Kate’s endearing, childlike charm was evident before she’s even arrived onstage.

A stage scattered with fake cobwebs and littered with eerie pumpkins provided the backdrop.  The kind Kate even thought to bring the audience a cauldron full of chocolates, which she encouraged those down the front to share out.

Performing a set which included songs from the albums Awkward Annie, Little Lights, Ten and The Girl Who Couldn’t Fly, Kate and her four-piece band also treated the crowd to tracks from upcoming album Make the Light, due for release later this month.

And if the mini taster we received at the gig was anything to go by, Make the Light looks set to be one of Kate’s best albums yet.

Crystal clear vocals combined with beautiful songs and faultless musicianship made the Manchester show a real treat.

If you missed Kate in Salford , you can see her live in Preston on December 4.

For more details, head to www.katerusby.com

Lauren Holden

Guitarist Magazine

October 2010 – Colston Hall, Bristol

Some things have changed a lot in the folk world of Kate Rusby since we last saw her play the Colston Hall. Every member of her band for starters. Replacing guitarist Ian Carr is Kate’s, now husband, Damien O’Kane on acoustic, electric, tenor guitar and banjo. Prolific Scottish six-string and bouzouki player Malcolm Stitt also joins the fold.

There are setlist changes abound too for one of British folk’s greatest artists – six songs are debuted tonight from forthcoming album Make The Light (Kate tells us it’s due 20 November). The album is the first exclusively to Kate’s own compositions and on the evidence tonight, it’s going to be very good indeed.

Other trademarks don’t change – her between song banter is as humble and hilarious as ever. The heartwarming stories of her baby daughter Daisy and dog Doris are often completely at odds with the serious and somber tone of some of her songs. But it makes for the perfect intimate and inclusive atmosphere for this carefully crafted acoustic music. After opening with the upbeat title track from her last album, Awkward Annie the sound mix is immediately crystal clear. And the stage set is as unpretentious as ever; simple fairy lights the only excess.

The contrast between optimistic tales and mournful ballads has always been Rusby’s calling card and sure enough the next song is a heartbreaking one, her take on traditional song The White Cockade (as she explains it’s one of the first folk songs she learned from her parents). The minimalist picking of Stitt’s bouzouki entwining with O’Kane’s acoustic guitar is the perfect accompaniment for Rusby’s stunning vocal. The sound of her voice so fully immersed in the tragic tale time could almost halt and you wouldn’t notice.

Of the new songs aired, the first Only Hope is one of the most immediate. Its blend of melancholy and the chiming lead line from O’Kane on a Gretsch (an electric guitar is a rare sight indeed at a Kate Rusby gig) make it instantly memorable. Another, Let Them Fly, is a departure in that it’s political – although Rusby won’t say who its incisive lyrics are aimed at.

Northern Irish musician O’Kane is a solo artist in his own right and Kate accompanies him on his song Summer Hill (the title track from his album released earlier this year). It’s interesting to hear his use of delay here. It’s something he revisits on Green Fields, another strong new Rusby song aired later in the set that features some stunning falsetto from her in the chorus.

Elsewhere Mockingbird, another new song that features only double bass and O’Kane on tenor as accompaniment, recalls another past standout bird-monikered Rusby song, The Lark, in its stark emotion. Meanwhile O’Kane plays banjo, for which he is known for in folk supergroup Flook, on the Bluegrass-flavoured High On A Hill and a thrilling duet with accordion player Julian Sutton on one of the latter’s own compositions.

With her 20 year anniversary as a professional musician approaching next year, it’s clear from tonight that Kate Rusby has never been happier in her work. But all six new songs tonight suggest the best is yet to come for one of British folk’s all-time greats.

Robert Laing

York Evening Press

September 2010 – Grand Opera House York

MUCH has changed in Kate Rusby’s Yorkshire world since she last played York in November 2008, although sad songs and bubbly chat and a mug of tea in her hand remain staples of her homely live show.

Saying goodbye to her usual folk suspects, Ian Carr, Andy Seward and Andy Cutting (John McCusker already had left the line-up by that 2008 show), Kate had a new husband by her side: Coleraine   guitarist, banjo player and traditional singer Damien O’Kane.

He led her 2010 line-up of Fort William bouzouki player Malcolm Stitt, long and lean Newcastle accordionist Julian Sutton and double-bassist Kevin McGuire, the strong and silent type at the back.

Although shorn of McCusker’s violin and whistles, the combination was nevertheless not that far removed from the old Rusby folk sound, the accordion still so vital.

What was fresh, aside from Kate and Damien’s baby daughter, Daisy, and the new array of fairy lighting and tea lights on stage, was the raft of songs from her November album, Make The Light: the first to feature solely her own compositions.

Breaking new ground, Let Them Fly was inspired by irritation with an unnamed politician; Green Fields was as evocative as its title; and the up-tempo The Wishing Wife was darkly humorous.

Save for the opening Awkward Annie, Kate eschewed past peaks of her writing (Underneath The Stars, Who Will Sing Me Lullabies, No Names, Planets) to revisit the old folk of The Good Man, The Old Man and I Courted A Sailor, keeping the flame of tradition alive when her own beautiful deeds have better enriched it.

Charles Hutchinson

Nottingham Post

September 2010 – Newark Palace Theatre

“Bloomin’ heck, they’re coming out fast tonight!” Singer-songwriter Kate Rusby had a sheaf of new works for her packed Newark audience, very different from the tragic folk ballads and slow lover’s laments of yore.

When she released her 2007 album Awkward Annie, she confessed that it had been the hardest to make so far. Her personal life was at a very low ebb.

Since then, though, there’s been a dramatic turnaround. Rusby found a new partner at home and on stage, with whom she had a child last year, and to whom she got hitched in Barnsley this summer.

Childbearing caused the hiatus in her song and record output, but it sparked off a fresh burst of creativity. She delivered pacy new songs (The Wishing Wife), a heartfelt anthemic piece (Walk The Road), lyrics with a positive ring (Only Hope and I Wish, the latter penned for daughter Daisy).

Also novel, Rusby remarked, was the Palace Theatre’s fresh green decor, which reminded her of mint ice-cream.

With Malcolm Stitt (guitar and bouzouki), Julian Sutton (melodeon) and Kevin McGuire (double bass) in support, guitarist and banjo player Damien O’Kane gives the band a strong Irish feel. He displayed a fine voice in a song evoking his native Coleraine, Rusby adding exquisite harmonies.

She lent a wifely hand when a string broke, passing him one of her own guitars and taking his away for repair. Meanwhile, Sutton’s melodeon led a fleet-footed interlude.

Mixed in with the new material were older favourites like The White Cockade, learnt from Rusby’s parents at a tender age. Daughter of Megan (“so lovely and blooming”) made a balladic offering to the Welsh in the house.

I Courted A Sailor provided the rousing conclusion, Wandering Soul a delicate farewell.

Peter Palmer