Kate Rusby At Lichfield Cathedral - Review

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Sat 02 Jul 2016

She is the epitome of the traditional English folk singer and Kate Rusby Your text goes here does it better than most. It is hard to believe that she will be celebrating 25 years as a professional singer in 2017. There must surely be something in the water of her native Yorkshire that is keeping her looking so youthful.



She graced the impromptu stage within the magnificent Lichfield Cathedral for more than two hours as she performed a splendid concert to a packed audience who provided their own form of worship in keeping with the religious setting. Kate was named as one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century as far back as 1999. And, on this performance, which formed part of the Lichfield Festival , she has clearly lost nothing of her vocal mastery.



Throughout the passing years Kate, who was accompanied by an excellent four-piece backing band which included her guitarist husband Damien O'Kane, has remained faithful to her folk and acoustic roots. The four-time winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards proudly announced that she has released more albums than Madonna. And she happily delved into her rich back catalogue while demonstrating what a fun time she was having on stage in between the songs. Clearly performing on tour with your husband, and with two young daughters at home to keep you grounded, has made for a very contented Kate.



She opened with a delightful track called 'Benjamin Bowmaneer' from her yet to be released new album, Life In A Paper Boat. Other songs from her forthcoming new release followed at regular intervals, among them 'The Ardent Shepherdess' and 'Hunter Moon', which she wrote about an imagined unrequited love between the Sun and the Moon.

Other uplifting, dreamy offerings ranged from old favourites such as 'I Courted A Sailor', 'Blooming Heather', and 'Awkward Annie', which her daughters used to ask her to play every morning before breakfast, to the aptly jolly 'Three Jolly Fishermen'. But folk music wouldn't be doing its job if there wasn't a fair share of more grim goings-on, which Kate duly delivered with songs including 'Cruel' about someone being press-ganged onto a ship.



For more information about the Lichfield Festival, which runs from 1st July to 10th July, please go online or phone 01543 412121 for ticket information and to make bookings.

Rating: 8/10

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!date 02/07/2016 -- 02/07/2016
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