Customer Reviews

The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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")

Celtic influences her own compositions, traditional Irish ballads are set to her own music and light and airy vocals float across the accompaniment of guitar describe the material that Ms. Rusby presents us with on this CD.

There are twelve tracks total, eleven plus a bonus track. The works are well produced by John McCusker with vocal accompaniment on a few tracks by Roddy Woomble and Kellie While.

Ms. Rusby's vocals are sometimes light and delicate, as in the opening track of The Game of All Fours. They can also be strong and imposing as in the traditional Mary Blaize which Ms. Rusby has put to music.

Most of the pieces are ballads, with the exception being You Belong to Me, the Pee Wee King piece. In the background of this piece we hear the light accent of Ms. Rusby as she makes the work vocally her own. The acoustic instrumentation highlights her vocals and blends nicely, accenting the work but never overpowering her voice.

Outstanding tracks on this CD include the traditional pieces which Ms. Rusby has interpreted in her own style of which Mary Blaize is a strong example. Celtic influences in her own works the Elfin Knight and Little Jack Frost are also outstanding tracks. She gives a delicate and heartfelt performance in Moon Shadow. The lyrics and melody are very memorable in Little Jack Frost which is included in a TV production. And of course, her own personal interpretation of You Belong to Me is a winner.

This is a lovely presentation of Ms. Rusby's vocal talents and compositions. I liked her interpretations of the traditional material, and her own "new traditional" pieces. Ms. Rusby is a delight to listen to and I look forward to more work by her. maf

Kate Rusby has set herself some pretty high standards in the past, and The Girl Who Couldn't Fly holds up pretty darn well. Kate's voice is in fine form, the arrangements are as clever and complimentary as ever, and there are definitely some gems here (Game of All Fours-charmingly saucy, The Lark, Bonnie House of Airlie-both way up there in the heartbreaking marks, Mary Blaize-brilliant instrumental work, Elfin Knight-great writing from Kate). This only gets four stars for two reasons: 1- it lacks that feeling of wholeness (consistency of tone and vision) that made Underneath the Stars so enjoyable 2-a few of Kate's songs (Moon Shadow, No Names, Fare Thee Well) seem a little lightweight in terms of songwriting-- more Old Man Time (from her 1st album) than Falling or Underneath the Stars (from her last).

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")

Its beautiful, the melodies, the voices, the music. But especially Kate Rusby's fabulous voice! Please take the time to at least sample her music, its so pretty and refreshing! I sampled her music and now I am a proud owner of 3 of her albums. Take a chance. :) My ears have been blessed now that we found The Girl Who Couldnt Fly.

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".

I can't imagine anyone not loving Kate Rusby's voice; it's replete with passion and sensitivity. One reviewer here said her voice was "pleasant." That's like saying the stained glass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is "okay," which would show a lack of adequate looking. This isn't background music; it's art, something to enter into, savor and experience, not McMusic as background noise for life.

The production work is wonderfully sparse and tasteful. If you like music with depth, clarity, beauty, emotion, and spirit, you'll love The Girl Who Couldn't Fly. If you're merely looking for a beat to do some booty-shakin' or working out, there's an abundance of..well..less-than-deep music out there for you. But Kate Rusby - this woman is worth real listening.

So - really, truly listen to Kate Rusby's voice on this cd. Hear her ability to put across emotion; hear her vocal control, her restraint in using that instrument. Soak in the production, the arrangements, the restraint of the musicians who choose to support that voice rather than attract attention to themselves.

After careful listening, my evaluation is this: Top level, well-recorded music from wonderfully restrained musicians supporting one of the best voices I've ever heard. There is an intense soulfulness that comes from reserve and understatement. Kate Rusby's power comes from a deep well, an ear for turning tradition into her own unique expression, a gifted set of vocal cords, and the wisdom and restraint to use it all to give her songs depth and emotion.

I do think it too bad this isn't called The Girl Who COULD Fly. I'd like to see her in concert.

Knights, full moons, wandering lads, fair maids and more pepper this lovely CD with magical images. She seems to be doing more self-penned material these days, but let's hope she never stops re-working those old ballads.

Combines a unique, appealing voice with expert, tailored acoustic folk settings, and songs with strong traditional English folk roots, even when Rusby wrote words and/or music. Her voice has a broad range-fairly pure in the upper reaches, huskier and earthier in a lower register. The slower a song, the more her voice resonates and quavers, giving a (false) sense of frailty in a voice that practically demands to fill any intimate space with warmth. Lovely. Settings are all carefully tailored and presented with great precision that is never cold or clinical; a homey folkiness underlies the virtuosity of the players. Songs tend to start simple and carefully accumulate complexity as they proceed, in many different ways. Session as a whole is warm, ingratiating, affirming, and reassuring-she places and holds the world in a good place. Stand-out: tr 6-You belong to me (she remakes a '50s pop classic in her own English folkie image). [49:47]

Heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven heaven.

What more can I say?