Customer Reviews

Kate Rusby & Kathryn Roberts

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, let me admit: I came to this record after hearing Ms Rusby on the radio recently, ordered several CDs, and this one arrived first, so I can't compare it to other records by either artist. It's been a great surprise. One of my favorite 'folk revival' records of all time is Maddy Prior and June Tabor's "Silly Sisters" and fans of that record should buy this without hesitation. Now, this is not quite in the rarified terriory of June & Maddy, but it is very good.

Both Ms Rusby and Ms Roberts have fine voices, but Rusby's is often quite thrilling and is the real star here. The unfussy, simple arrangements serve their oft-heard material well.

Ms Rusby sounds particular luminous on "Recruited Collier" & "Dark Eyed Sailor". I am also partial to Ms Roberts version of "Plains of Waterloo" -- this doesn't quite match the specatularly mournful June Tabor version (on her "Airs and Graces") but she does nicely capture the heartache in this ballad, one of my favorite "my lover went to war and now he's dead" ballads.

If I have a complaint it is that there is quite enough variety of mood here -- but that's a small problem with stuff this lovely.

I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of female vocalists, nor am I a Celtic music buff. However I've never heard two women sing together like these two. It's a sound that caresses and squeezes your heart all at the same time... The sound makes me feel like I want to cry from the saddest and most warm embrace.

This CD has given me so much pleasure. Simple accoustic arrangements, two lovely voices singing poignant solos and exquiste harmonies. Kathryn Roberts' soulful lead in "Ned On The Hill" is one of many highlights, but the version of "The Queen and The Soldier" is the crown jewel of the set, carrying great emotional impact. Still, it seems unfair to single out one or two tracks when every one is memorable.

It's all sung and played in a way that seems inevitable and natural as the weather -- nothing calling attention to itself, with the simple, spare parts creating a marvelous whole.

Not just another English folkie CD, but an investment for your soul.

This a beautifully sung and produced album with some traditional celtic tunes and several that are more contemporary. The version of The Queen and the Soldier is amazing.

Forgive my cliche. I love Kate Rusby and figured I would check out this duet CD. Wow. These songs are simple and pure. You can only get away with such minimal instrumental accompaniment if you have the voices to fill the whole landscape. These ladies have it. Roberts adds a rich and intensely beautiful counterpart to Rusby's magical voice. Together --- I just get tears in my eyes. I put this CD on, lie on the floor, spread my arms out, close my eyes, and let my imagination go. I love all my Rusby CDs, but this is my most favorite of favorites.

The song that made me buy this CD was "The Queen and the Soldier," a Suzanne Vega story/ballad that gave me shivers and teary eyes when I first listened to it. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that the rest of the CD is also great, full of evocative traditional British folk songs. Each song tells a story, and Kate Rusby and Kathryn Roberts combine their talents beautifully in songs accompanied by the pure sounds of piano and violin, or modernized by the clarinet and soprano saxophone.

I bought this CD a year ago, and I am continually entranced with the voice quality of these two singers. "Ned on the Hill" is so beautiful, it stands equal in my view to Jean Redpath's version, which first aquainted me with the song. "The Lorry Ride" is one of the most haunting songs I have ever heard. I can feel the lonely woman's anguish, as she waits to see if her man will return from his harsh work on the plantation, or if se will find only a body when the lorry returns him to her. I would rate this as one of my all time faves in Celtic music.

What a wonderful cd! Every song is great, but my favorite has to be "the queen and the soldier" The lyrics to that song express so much anguish and sorrow that it makes me shiver everytime I listen to it. Both ladies voices are beautiful and I hope that we see another albumn by these together real soon.

I purchased this CD about a month ago, along with several of Kate Rusby's other albums, and have been really impressed. The 'Queen and the soldier' is my favourite track on this particular album. It gave me goosebumps when I heard it the first time!! The combination of Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby's voices together, and the choice of songs on this CD makes it worth every penny. If your musical tastes are of celtic/ folk and your preferences are for sweet, classic lyrics, but with enough depth in the arrangement to get lost in the music as it plays, then this CD is a winner, and you will love it.

I got this as the third CD I had bought (after Hourglass and Sleepless) featuring Rusby. Some of my favorites include The Lorry Ride and The Queen and the Soldier.

Roberts has a clearer voice, but Rusby's carries more energy. Both are quite expressive and let the emotions of the traditional folk music carry in. This being said, I think that Rusby is the stronger singer.

All in all, this is a great album with two great performers and great songs.