Kate Rusby, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Kate Rusby (Monday June 25, 2001 5:08 PM )
Gig played on 24/06/2001 Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall (London)
Traditionally, folk music has been considered a deeply untrendy thing by people who should know better. Well, it was, until Kate Rusby changed all that. The Yorkshire lass emerged from the folk niche and claimed a Mercury nomination for her troubles. Since then, her down to earth, engaging wit and vast musical talent have been winning over audiences both here and abroad.
With an easy stage patter, she is reminiscent of a more intelligent version of Bubble from Absolutely Fabulous. She tells tales of horses washed in Daz and fed Ready Brek, and speculates upon what Folk Barbie might sing if she were to roll up to the festivals in her pink camper van. She also pokes fun at her market, worrying aloud that the Folk Police will get her for her modernisation of certain traditional tunes.
The truly remarkable thing though is when she stops babbling and starts to sing. There is such a vast difference between the speaking voice and the singing voice that you would almost suspect a bit of Milli Vanilli style underhandedness. The only word that really springs to mind is 'pure', rather fittingly as that is the name of the record label her family runs to release her material.
From opening number 'Playing Of Ball', from current album 'Little Lights', it's clear that Rusby is a natural and comfortable performer. Adapted from a traditional folk tune originally titled 'Lovely Willy' ("You can't come to a posh venue like this and sing filth like that"), it seems to hold no effort for Rusby, each note flowing freely from her lips.
Backed by a band of accomplished folk musicians, Rusby works her magic on album tracks 'I Courted A Sailor' and 'Let The Cold Wind Blow', the latter apparently inspired by the "two stupidest birds in Yorkshire."
However, it is when Rusby is alone on the stage for a solo effort including the comic 'The Yorkshire Couple' and 'The Sweet Bride', that the sleightness of her frame and the sheer magnitude of her voice become apparent. The guitar dwarfs her, the size of the otherwise empty stage seems infinite, yet that exquisite voice fills every space.
As Rusby's tunes encompass dragons, drowned lovers and unpleasant shenanigans involving vagrants, you realise that folk music isn't as dull as you may have suspected. She brings life to a world of fantasy and myth, and with her mildly eccentric storytelling she brings the material right up to date, making it accessible to a modern audience.
Tonight's performance has the extra pleasure of two songs featuring Eddi Reader - 'Withered And Died' written by folk legend Richard Thompson and the outstanding 'Canaan's Land'. The set finishes with the self-penned lullaby, 'Who Will Sing Me Lullabies', arguably the most beautiful song on the album. The poignant and moving lyrics are brought to life by Rusby's warm, measured delivery.
Kate Rusby is one of those rare performers who transcends genre to create a style that is all their own. She deserves to succeed in her bid to take folk music to a mainstream audience. And even if she fails, no doubt she'll have a fine time trying.
by Luci Jameson
Gig played on 24/06/2001 Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall (London)
Traditionally, folk music has been considered a deeply untrendy thing by people who should know better. Well, it was, until Kate Rusby changed all that. The Yorkshire lass emerged from the folk niche and claimed a Mercury nomination for her troubles. Since then, her down to earth, engaging wit and vast musical talent have been winning over audiences both here and abroad.
With an easy stage patter, she is reminiscent of a more intelligent version of Bubble from Absolutely Fabulous. She tells tales of horses washed in Daz and fed Ready Brek, and speculates upon what Folk Barbie might sing if she were to roll up to the festivals in her pink camper van. She also pokes fun at her market, worrying aloud that the Folk Police will get her for her modernisation of certain traditional tunes.
The truly remarkable thing though is when she stops babbling and starts to sing. There is such a vast difference between the speaking voice and the singing voice that you would almost suspect a bit of Milli Vanilli style underhandedness. The only word that really springs to mind is 'pure', rather fittingly as that is the name of the record label her family runs to release her material.
From opening number 'Playing Of Ball', from current album 'Little Lights', it's clear that Rusby is a natural and comfortable performer. Adapted from a traditional folk tune originally titled 'Lovely Willy' ("You can't come to a posh venue like this and sing filth like that"), it seems to hold no effort for Rusby, each note flowing freely from her lips.
Backed by a band of accomplished folk musicians, Rusby works her magic on album tracks 'I Courted A Sailor' and 'Let The Cold Wind Blow', the latter apparently inspired by the "two stupidest birds in Yorkshire."
However, it is when Rusby is alone on the stage for a solo effort including the comic 'The Yorkshire Couple' and 'The Sweet Bride', that the sleightness of her frame and the sheer magnitude of her voice become apparent. The guitar dwarfs her, the size of the otherwise empty stage seems infinite, yet that exquisite voice fills every space.
As Rusby's tunes encompass dragons, drowned lovers and unpleasant shenanigans involving vagrants, you realise that folk music isn't as dull as you may have suspected. She brings life to a world of fantasy and myth, and with her mildly eccentric storytelling she brings the material right up to date, making it accessible to a modern audience.
Tonight's performance has the extra pleasure of two songs featuring Eddi Reader - 'Withered And Died' written by folk legend Richard Thompson and the outstanding 'Canaan's Land'. The set finishes with the self-penned lullaby, 'Who Will Sing Me Lullabies', arguably the most beautiful song on the album. The poignant and moving lyrics are brought to life by Rusby's warm, measured delivery.
Kate Rusby is one of those rare performers who transcends genre to create a style that is all their own. She deserves to succeed in her bid to take folk music to a mainstream audience. And even if she fails, no doubt she'll have a fine time trying.
by Luci Jameson
posted by Luci @ 5:32 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home