Sweet Bells [Import]

Kate Rusby | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 16, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Phantom Sound & Vision
• ASIN: B001KX63LG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,861 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 'UPON THIS HIGH HOLIDAY' (IT'S CHRISTMAS IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE), December 23, 2008

By 

Colin Spence (Formby, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Bells (Audio CD)

This is not your regular, run of the mill Christmas album - not even by folk music standards.

THE VOCALS : KR's vocals are delightful (they always are), and her Yorkshire accent is a real treat to listen to (and this is coming from someone with a Liverpudlian accent!). She doesn't have a powerful voice, but it's a pure voice with a dainty girlish timbre. Whilst I was disappointed that there were no harmony vocals on this album, it may have been a wise choice not to have them - I suspect that they might have clashed with instrumental accompaniment.

THE PLAYING : This is first rate stuff - acoustic guitars, cittern, stand-up bass, fiddle on one track, and diatonic accordion (melodeon) on all tracks with some notable short solos. Also, on five tracks, a variety of brass band instruments played by members of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band and the band of the Coldstream Guards. The sound produced by the musicians has a very rich texture. There is no electric guitar or percussion on this album.

THE SONGS : All of the songs are traditional/festive English songs/carols arranged or adapted by KR - including some arrangements with a regional influence. The songs feature a good mix of tempos.

Some brief comments about a selection :

HERE WE COME A-WASSAILING - An up-tempo song with a strong lilt to it, good lyrics, fine vocals from KR, and some outstanding playing from Andy Cutting (accordion) and Anna Massie (cittern). Great music - traditional English folk music par excellence.

POOR OLD HORSE - I don't think this is a great song, but it touched a nerve with me (I have a 'soft spot' for horses). It's a sad song about a horse who, now that he has grown old, has become increasingly rejected and neglected by his master.

HARK THE HERALD - Not the familiar melody based on a composition by Mendelssohn (Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Mariah Carey et. al.) - one with a joyous sound celebrating the birth of Christ (I am not a particularly religious person, incidentally). KR's arrangement is, by comparison, a rather solemn affair.

SERVING GIRL'S HOLIDAY - Another tremendous traditional English folk song (one with which I'm not familiar). It's a beautiful slow tempo song - bittersweet lyrics, spine-shivering vocals, and sublime accordion from Andy Cutting (the only instrument played on this track).

Some further highlights for me were : KR's vocals on 'The Holly and the Ivy' (again, not the more familiar melody), Anna Massie's cittern playing on 'Hail Chime On', and the Brass Band playing on 'Awake, Arise Good Christians'. The liner notes supply all lyrics and individual musician credits for each track.

There is little I can fault with the performances by any of the artists; however, I have some reservations about a few of the songs/arrangements - but all credit to Kate for choosing less familiar arrangements of some well known carols. A pretty good album, but one which I find less satisfying than 'Awkward Annie'; 4 stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Chiming "Belle", December 22, 2008

By 

David T. Steere, Jr. (Annapolis, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Bells (Audio CD)

Our angel from Yorkshire is back with the loveliest of Christmas albums. Although some of the titles of the Christmas songs may sound familiar, few of the tunes likely will. Kate has used alternate melodies or written her own to accompany the familiar words. As usual, she has found some rare gems, such as "The Miner's Dream of Home," "Poor Old Horse," and "Serving Girl's Holiday" which are wonderful. Her recovery apparently continues in the "McCusker-less" world with beautiful arrangements and superb accompaniment by her regulars: Ian Carr, Andy Cutting, Andy Seward, and others. Kate's familiar, slightly sad, voice ironically produces a real feeling of cheer in the listener without resorting to the usual Yule cliches and easy emotions. I have the new Gretchen Peters and Loreena McKennitt Christmas albums but Kate's is easily the best. Don't miss it. Let the bells ring on.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is just something about Kate, March 4, 2009

By 

K. NEWTON (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sweet Bells (Audio CD)

Years ago I heard an interview on NPR with Kate Rusby and shortly after that my brother sent me one of her CDs as a birthday gift. I have enjoyed every Kate Rusby CD I've added to my collection. I have also had the absolute pleasure of turning some of my friends and family on to her music. I find her voice and the subject matters she sings about to be joyful, funny, tragic, heartbreaking, lovely and uplifting. I love the old folk songs from the UK that her voice interprets so well and clear. Her love of what she does comes through. This Christmas album will be a family favorite.