Kate Rusby Little Lights CD

Kate Rusby won over American audiences in 1999 with her second release, Sleepless, an album of traditional-styled songs with simple arrangements that highlighted her best quality: a lovely, middle-range voice, vulnerable without being waifish. Little Lights continues in the same mode, mixing old ballads with originals and throwing in an occasional contemporary piece. "Merry Green Broom" and "Some Tyrant" are simple and tasteful, continuing Rusby's commitment to the images of old England, while "William and Davy" and "I Courted a Sailor" kick up the tempo a bit. A number of guests, from Tim O'Brien to Danny Thompson to Alison Brown, make appearances, and John McCusker once again lends a hand to the production. A slightly different arrangement featuring brass adorns "My Young Man," complementing Rusby's relaxed style and calling to mind Norma Waterson's approach on Bright Shiny Morning. While there are no bad cuts on Little Lights, there probably isn't enough variety. With a couple of exceptions, the songs unwind at a leisurely pace, and most hover around four minutes. There is nothing quite as lovely and lively as "The Cobbler's Daughter" and "Sweet Bride" from Sleepless. Although more variety would have helped, Little Lights is still a solid effort. Fans will enjoy it, and it will also serve as a good introduction to those unfamiliar with this lovely English singer. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.

Recorded at Pure Records Studio, Yorkshire, England.

Personnel: Kate Rusby (vocals, guitar); Darrell Scott (vocals, guitar); Tim O'Brien (vocals, mandolin); Eddi Reader, John Beverly Jones (vocals); Michael McGoldrick (whistling, banjo, tenor banjo); John McCusker (whistling, cittern, fiddle); Ian Carr , John Doyle (guitar); Alison Brown (banjo); Malcolm Stitt (bouzouki); Michael "Mike Dee" Johnson (fiddle); Martin O'Connor, Andy Cutting (accordion); Alan Morrison, Richard Marshall (cornet); Shaun Crowther (tuba); Sandra Smith (horns); Ewen Vernal, Andy Seward (double bass); Kevin Morris (bells).

Audio Mixer: Andy Seward.

Recording information: Pure Records Studio, Yorkshire, England.

Arrangers: Ian Carr ; Kate Rusby; John McCusker.

Personnel: Kate Rusby (vocals, guitar); Ian Carr, John Doyle, Darrell Scott (guitar); Mike McGoldrick (banjo, whistle); Alison Brown (banjo); Malcolm Stitt (bouzouki); John McCusker (cittern, fiddle, whistle); Tim O'Brien (mandolin); Sandy Smith (Eb horn); Andy Cutting, Mairtin O'Connor (accordion); Alan Morrison, Richard Marshall (cornet); Nick Hudson (trombone); Shaun Crowther (tuba); Keith Angel (marimba, percussion); Ewan Vernal, Andy Seward, Danny Thompson (bass); Eddi Reader, John Jones (background vocals).

3rd Solo

CMJ (8/4/01, p.25) - "...Kate brings folk music to the forefront of the modern music scene and she makes all the ugliness in the world seem bearable..."
No Depression (9-10/01, p.145) - "...Old-school purists and folk newbies will both be impressed...you will not find a finer work of art with more beauty."
Mojo (Publisher) (1/02, p.69) - Included in Mojo's "Best Folk of 2001".