Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
The lofty ideals of Angels & Men often fall short in what a single woman can produce; a job for two men perhaps but every woman is easily worth two of her counterparts and in the voice of the erstwhile Kate Rusby, those same messengers of a god and the men who rejoice in their passion are greeted with a set of songs that are not only heavenly, but are given the very essence of a humanity via a voice that praises with genuine understanding and joy.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Christmas means something different to everybody, whether they celebrate it or not, whether it is in the joy of family, togetherness, being with friends, surrounded by strangers but with a common love in which to bond, or in just the thought of a set of songs that grab their attention and make the time of year more thoughtful, reflective, even for some bearable. Music is what binds all when the first drops of snow hit the ground and the carol singers can be found with lamps in hand, a weapon against the darkness of the northern sky.
Kate Rusby is of the finest interpreters of traditional folk song and one of our most emotive original songwriters – melding old and new so you can barely see the join, Mercury Prize winner, Folk Singer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Album and Best Original Song winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Inveterate Yorkshire Tea drinker. Freeman of Barnsley. Darling of British folk.
It seems impossible but 2017 will be a landmark year for Kate Rusby as she celebrates an incredible 25 years on the road. Still basking in the glow of the accolades for her 14th studio album, Life in a Paper Boat, she will continue to showcase tracks from the album alongside carefully selected much loved classics from her back catalogue spanning the 25 years.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It is a cause for celebration when The Frost Is All Over, a time to remember that spring is on its way, that the desolate feeling, the icy grip of a winter’s chill is but fleeting and so is the frost when the warmth of a good soul can find it in their hearts to allow the frigid nature of life to come back alive. For Kate Rusby, the warmth comes over in waves, in which ever guise her career has taken, the endless enthusiasm; the very natural air of her work spreads the passion of Folk far and wide.
Kate Rusby at The Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. December 2015. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
It could be said that the first true sign that Christmas has appeared over the streets of Liverpool is when Barnsley’s Kate Rusby steps out on stage at the Philharmonic Hall and proceeds to bequeath presents out in the shape of the finest local folk music and musical renditions of popular festive songs.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
To see an artist enjoy themselves, to witness the little escaping of glee and cheer from their mouths after every song, is perhaps one of the great thrills in life. It certainly makes for an entertaining evening and enhances the overall pleasure of a listening to a set of songs delivered with beautiful precision and cheer.