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She’s always sprinkled a few of her own compositions among the traditional material that’s formed the bulk of her output, and her talent for adapting this, as well as coming up with new songs that could pass as ‘trad’, has helped earn her plenty of accolades. That, and the pure, relatively unadorned voice she sings them in, of course, which leaves no doubt about her south Yorkshire roots.
Apparently it was Jennifer Saunders (whose Jam & Jerusalem TV series Rusby has written and performed songs for) who suggested she try doing an entirely self-penned album. Taking a break while pregnant with her first child gave Rusby the time to do it, and this new record is the result.
Joined at times by a string quartet and members of long-term collaborators the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, Rusby also has a new band, which includes recently acquired spouse Damien O’Kane on guitars and tenor banjo. They kick off on a slightly surreal note with The Wishing Wife, a pleasantly jaunty jig about a no-good husband who gets his comeuppance by being turned into a dog. It’s just a flash of the humour much more apparent between songs during Rusby’s shows, but is the only really upbeat number on a set perhaps overly dominated by slow tempos.
Both The Mocking Bird and Let Them Fly show the kind of crafty lyrical ambiguity that seems to be a Rusby trademark; the latter is a ‘protest song’ that could easily be addressed to the likes of Blair and Bush ("We will never be charmed by the charmless"). Even so, the clunky rhyme scheme of Only Hope, which chimes "thinking" with "sinking" and then "tumble" with "crumble", is a low point.
Far more likely to nag their way into your subconscious are the hymn-like Green Fields and the sturdy, optimistic surge of Walk the Road, which features a gorgeous horn arrangement and fine backing vocals by O’Kane. Other highlights include the wistful alt-country of Lately, and Four Stars, a dreamy, drifting song with the feel of a lullaby. While not without the occasional shortcoming, Make the Light is an assured, but not too radical departure.
--Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
But I needn't have worried. This album is a triumph. Simultaneously familiar whilst also breaking new ground. "The Wishing Well" for example is classic Rusby - it reminded me of The Good Man of a couple of albums back.
Other highlights including "The Mockingbird" which is one of the most beautiful songs Kate's ever written - wonderful string arrangements. "Let them fly" features the brass section which gives the song a warmth - a feeling of treacle pudding and roasted chestnuts. "Only Hope" is almost a pop-ballad (to my ears at least). Mesmerising with a gorgeous chorus and more lovely strings. "Shout to the devil" is another unusual one: very conspicuous and effective use of, in particular, Double Bass and Cello. "Green Fields" has elements in it that sound like a Christmas Carol but is otherwise more familiar Rusby fare. The same can be said for "Walk the Road" which features a nice guest vocal from Damien O'Kane and more warmth from the brass section.
Kate is to be congratulated on a strong, gorgeous, warm album full of interesting lyrics and beautifully produced and executed. This is (I think) the first album in which all the songs were written by her and it's clear her song-writing is maturing and her range widening. It's so easy in folk to stick to the traditional forms album after album. Kate has never been guilty of that and here she takes her music forward and it's a a complete success. Can't wait to see some of these performed live in 2011.
One song that really stands out is walk the road, simply stunning! Read more
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