The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

by

Kate Rusby

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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")

first, i love kate rusby. i LOVE her. i've included her cd "underneath the stars" in one of my amazon lists as the best cd of last year.

needless to say, when i heard of the release of this cd, i was thrilled. no one today seems to be able to soar to the heights of the celtic soul quite like kate can. her cd's have gotten better and better with each release, and on last years "stars", she truly peaked.

however, when i put this cd on, it sounded like....kate - but without that spark. i thought maybe the opener ("game of all fours") was just a weak starter. not a bad song, mind you, but it didn't seem as inspired as kate's usual rendition of irish traditionals.

the 2nd song, the 3rd, the 4th..i kept thinking...where is the passion?

i was really looking forward to the 6th track ("you belong to me"), as it's been a favorite of mine for years. bob dylan is a prime example of how someone can take this song and make you ache anew upon hearing it (his version is on the "natural born killers" soundtrack).

kate's version was so soulless, i was shocked.

the only redeeming quality of this cd (hence the 2 star rating instead of 1) are the last two songs, both written by kate (with "jack frost" being included as a bonus track).

on "the girl who couldn't fly", kate just doesn't seem to be climbing new heights...she seems to have backtracked. it's as if she knows what's expected of her, and she coasted through the recording of these tracks with no effort. it's simply a rare misfire on her part.

here's hoping that her next cd will find her back on the track of "ten" or the genius of "underneath the stars".