Search - Kate Rusby :: Girl Who Couldn't Fly

Her Magic Continues ...

David T. Steere, Jr. | Annapolis, MD United States | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kate's unique magic continues with this beautiful cd. Filled with all the talents we've come to expect: Kate composing original songs sounding wonderfully old, Kate putting traditional lyrics to her perfectly fitting new music, and Kate once again singing so subtly and yet with such emotion. She even performs a cover from a much more modern time, Pee Wee King's "You Belong to Me." There's a traditional bawdy song, several songs that play like the loveliest of lullabies, and even a kid's song.



Once again, Kate's instrumental genius of a husband, John McCusker, produces the album. His and Kate's arrangements include some of the most dense (and yet somehow still spare) groupings of acoustic instruments-played by the amazing regulars in Kate's band: Ian Carr, John, Andy Cutting, and a host of others. Roddy Woomble from the band Idlewild duets grandly with Kate on "No Names" and Roddy and Kellie While provide lovely harmony on several other songs. Even with such virtuoso playing (on fiddle, viola, flute, whistle, piano, cittern, accordion, harmonium, a brass section and an extra string section), the guitar work stands above all else (played by Kate, Ian, John, John Doyle, and Kris Drever).



The heart, of course, is still Kate's great voice. Yorkshire and folk music have never sounded so fine.



MOON SHADOW,

HE'S THERE BUT BARELY VISIBLE

MOON SHADOW,

WHEN I'M SCARED AND FAIRLY MISERABLE

A WATCH FOR ME HE'LL KEEP,

SO I MIGHT FALL ASLEEP.

(from Kate's "Moon Shadow")"

This One Takes Off!

medievalcrusadesbabe | Ohio USA | 12/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Celtic influences her own compositions, traditional Irish ballads are set to her own music and light and airy vocals float across the accompaniment of guitar describe the material that Ms. Rusby presents us with on this CD.



There are twelve tracks total, eleven plus a bonus track. The works are well produced by John McCusker with vocal accompaniment on a few tracks by Roddy Woomble and Kellie While.



Ms. Rusby's vocals are sometimes light and delicate, as in the opening track of The Game of All Fours. They can also be strong and imposing as in the traditional Mary Blaize which Ms. Rusby has put to music.



Most of the pieces are ballads, with the exception being You Belong to Me, the Pee Wee King piece. In the background of this piece we hear the light accent of Ms. Rusby as she makes the work vocally her own. The acoustic instrumentation highlights her vocals and blends nicely, accenting the work but never overpowering her voice.



Outstanding tracks on this CD include the traditional pieces which Ms. Rusby has interpreted in her own style of which Mary Blaize is a strong example. Celtic influences in her own works the Elfin Knight and Little Jack Frost are also outstanding tracks. She gives a delicate and heartfelt performance in Moon Shadow. The lyrics and melody are very memorable in Little Jack Frost which is included in a TV production. And of course, her own personal interpretation of You Belong to Me is a winner.



This is a lovely presentation of Ms. Rusby's vocal talents and compositions. I liked her interpretations of the traditional material, and her own "new traditional" pieces. Ms. Rusby is a delight to listen to and I look forward to more work by her. maf"

Another good album

Kinsella | Dalkeith, Scotland | 11/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Kate Rusby has set herself some pretty high standards in the past, and The Girl Who Couldn't Fly holds up pretty darn well. Kate's voice is in fine form, the arrangements are as clever and complimentary as ever, and there are definitely some gems here (Game of All Fours-charmingly saucy, The Lark, Bonnie House of Airlie-both way up there in the heartbreaking marks, Mary Blaize-brilliant instrumental work, Elfin Knight-great writing from Kate). This only gets four stars for two reasons: 1- it lacks that feeling of wholeness (consistency of tone and vision) that made Underneath the Stars so enjoyable 2-a few of Kate's songs (Moon Shadow, No Names, Fare Thee Well) seem a little lightweight in terms of songwriting-- more Old Man Time (from her 1st album) than Falling or Underneath the Stars (from her last)."