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21/10/2004 Kate Rusby in Chichester
Howard Holdsworth writes:
Kate Rusby came on stage bang on 8.00pm. The next two and a half hours (save a 15 minute interval) were just magical, with songwriting and music making of the highest order. Kate Rusby herself oozed personality. She struck my wife Marjorie as a cross between Caroline Aherne and Victoria Wood. It was a delight to have someone who was both self-effacing and very funny developing a happy rapport with her audience. Kate Rusby is blessed with a voice of near perfect pitch, and an inventive mind. She sang a range of tracks from her 2003 release, Underneath The Stars, the most impressive being 'The Good Man', which she sang at the start of the show, and the title track, as a finale. There was much to enjoy from the excellent Little Lights album, especially 'Withered And Died' and 'I Courted A Sailor'. Songs from 10 and Sleepless also made an appearance. She recounted how she recently came to write a new song, 'The Lark', after it had been pointed out to her that many of her songs were connected with the sea: she just lay on her back in her garden near Barnsley and listened! Producing such a powerful and beautiful song suggests that she is touched by genius. Rusby's vocal performance was flawless, and she played guitar with confidence. She has a splendid band, quietly led by her husband from Glasgow, the multi-talented multi-instrumentalist, John McCusker - his playing of the cittern, banjo, guitar, and various whistles and flutes was clear and beautifully understated. They were well supported by Andy Cutting, from Nottingham, on diatonic accordion, Andy Seward, from Barnsley, on double bass, and Kris Deever, from Orkney, on acoustic guitar. They were joined for four numbers by a brass quintet from the Coldstream Guards doing their Grimethorpe impersonation. They looked happy, if a little green around the gills - the result, we were told, of a drinking contest involving multi-coloured liqueurs, following the previous night's performance in Barnstaple. Kate Rusby left the stage twice. During her first absence, the band cooked up wonderful tunes, with amusing histories - from Janet Jackson-spotting in a Canadian hotel, to things learnt from grandpas in Scotland. And the second Rusby-less slot saw the Orkney chap showcasing one of his own compositions ... it was beautifully written, sung and played. The sound quality was very high. Marjorie and I found the whole experience moving, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable. Indeed, we were so impressed that we immediately booked tickets for the following night's performance, in Fairfield Hall, Croydon. Someone with Kate Rusby's talent comes along once in a generation. She has an extraordinary quality, at the age of 30, that very few possess - the gifts of Sandy Denny and Nick Drake. I pray that she lives a lot longer than both, to share her wonderful talent more widely. Readers of Music for Grown-Ups are recommended to check her website and try catch any of the remaining concerts on the tour (it ends in a fortnight). A spellbinding performance of traditional and self-penned songs, leaving you mesmerised for days, is virtually guaranteed. www.katerusby.com
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