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Rating: 
Summary: A pure, perfect concert video
Review: A must-have for all Kate Rusby fans. This beautifully-produced concert video is a pure winner, showcasing Rusby and her band at their best, before an adoring, appreciative English audience. Several things are worth pointing out: first, what a delight to see how friendly and down-to-earth she is, and what a fine performer. Authoritative, yet not stuffy or standoffish in any way, she presents these old trad ballads in a way that makes them seem like the most immediate and compelling of contemporary art... And, of course, the music is simply stunning -- the band plays sweet, but keeps things simple; it's warm and modern without muddling down in crossover pretensions, it's just simply lovely, lovely acoustic music. Finally, there's the experience of seeing Rusby sing: is it possible such a perfect sound is coming out of that everyday-looking lass before you? Guess so. Now I'll have to redouble my efforts to see her when she plays live at a venue near me... I know it'll be a night to remember!
Rating:
Summary: Yanks Listen Too
Review: I suspect that most who purchase a music DVD are already fans of an artist music CD(s). It should be no surprise then that the comments that are left for the DVD are a bit prejudicial. So I'll gush -I am no fan of music DVD's in general, however, when I saw that Kate Rusby was releasing a video of a live concert I was willing to make an exception. Yorkshire and Scotland are far far away from Texas. Video is much cheaper. The Leeds theater was an excellant choice of venues for the filming. The sound in the theater seemed very nice (the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound picked it up well) and the atmosphere allowed for a little play between the audience and the band. The crowd appeared appreciative but somewhat subdued. There were no outbursts or spontaneous displays of jigs in the isles. The musicians are superb. Their sound is polished parlor at its best. There is so much more to this music than simple support for Kate's magical voice. These guys are the real deal. John McCusker performs with several different instruments and he displays his vast talent with each on this DVD. The song selection is virtually perfect. There is a nice blend of familiar tunes with new and unrecorded songs; sad ballads and an acapella comedy. Pick your preference; sing along, be amused, sit and center, or weep, and be entertained all the way through. There is not a mediocre track on the DVD. The 87 minutes of performance is backed with almost an equal time of extas. One interview reference to Nancy Griffith makes me think the band should come experience the Gulf Coast Highway in person some blue bonnet spring. Buy it, rent it, or barrow it! Especially if you're like me and can't hop a airplane to Europe for a show.
Rating:
Summary: Yanks Listen Too
Review: I suspect that most who purchase a music DVD are already fans of an artist music CD(s). It should be no surprise then that the comments that are left for the DVD are a bit prejudicial. So I'll gush - I am no fan of music DVD's in general, however, when I saw that Kate Rusby was releasing a video of a live concert I was willing to make an exception. Yorkshire and Scotland are far far away from Texas. Video is much cheaper. The Leeds theater was an excellant choice of venues for the filming. The sound in the theater seemed very nice (the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound picked it up well) and the atmosphere allowed for a little play between the audience and the band. The crowd appeared appreciative but somewhat subdued. There were no outbursts or spontaneous displays of jigs in the isles. The musicians are superb. Their sound is polished parlor at its best. There is so much more to this music than simple support for Kate's magical voice. These guys are the real deal. John McCusker performs with several different instruments and he displays his vast talent with each on this DVD. The song selection is virtually perfect. There is a nice blend of familiar tunes with new and unrecorded songs; sad ballads and an acapella comedy. Pick your preference; sing along, be amused, sit and center, or weep, and be entertained all the way through. There is not a mediocre track on the DVD. The 87 minutes of performance is backed with almost an equal time of extas. One interview reference to Nancy Griffith makes me think the band should come experience the Gulf Coast Highway in person some blue bonnet spring. Buy it, rent it, or barrow it! Especially if you're like me and can't hop a airplane to Europe for a show.
Rating:
Summary: the star underneath the stars
Review: Well, a very lovely concert it was, wasn't young Kate's, eh? I wish I could write with a Yorkshire accent. A beautiful thing. The musicians are amazing. John McCusker must be some sort of genius. They all played so tightly with each other and Kate, I was reminded of the Chieftains. Let's wish these younger folks will have such an honored history to come. Kate herself is sweet and a charmer. Quite an irresistable smile. She seemed a wee bit shy at times. Might be my imagination. Like Alison Krauss showed in her LIVE concert dvd, Kate has a nice sense of humor and likes to tease. I thought she sang beautifully throughout--particularly so in CANAAN'S LAND, WITHERED AND DIED and UNDERNEATH THE STARS. How could anyone in that lovely Leeds theatre be dry-eyed during that last song with the lights swirling star-like around? Kate also reminds me in an odd way of Kasey Chambers--her youth, her maturity, her love of traditional music and yet her independence in her musical vision. Quite two wonderful women. Technically, the dvd was great. The concert was filmed simply and beautifully--must be digital video. I thought for a minute someone had snuck in a high-definition television when I saw the quality of the picture. Great coverage of the amazing musicians and good roving of the heterogeneous audience (old and very young--a great mix). An essential for all fans of the great Kate and for anyone who loves traditional music and great women vocalists. And not to mention a wealth of fascinating bonus material on the dvd.
Rating:
Summary: the star underneath the stars
Review: Well, a very lovely concert it was, wasn't young Kate's, eh? I wish I could write with a Yorkshire accent. A beautiful thing. The musicians are amazing. John McCusker must be some sort of genius. They all played so tightly with each other and Kate, I was reminded of the Chieftains. Let's wish these younger folks will have such an honored history to come. Kate herself is sweet and a charmer. Quite an irresistable smile. She seemed a wee bit shy at times. Might be my imagination. Like Alison Krauss showed in her LIVE concert dvd, Kate has a nice sense of humor and likes to tease. I thought she sang beautifully throughout--particularly so in CANAAN'S LAND, WITHERED AND DIED and UNDERNEATH THE STARS. How could anyone in that lovely Leeds theatre be dry-eyed during that last song with the lights swirling star-like around? Kate also reminds me in an odd way of Kasey Chambers--her youth, her maturity, her love of traditional music and yet her independence in her musical vision. Quite two wonderful women. Technically, the dvd was great. The concert was filmed simply and beautifully--must be digital video. I thought for a minute someone had snuck in a high-definition television when I saw the quality of the picture. Great coverage of the amazing musicians and good roving of the heterogeneous audience (old and very young--a great mix). An essential for all fans of the great Kate and for anyone who loves traditional music and great women vocalists. And not to mention a wealth of fascinating bonus material on the dvd.
Rating:
Summary: Dead gorgeous
Review: What's not to like about this DVD? You'll feel better after watching it: there's warmth, good humor, great talent, and a commitment to the music. The concert is the centerpiece with Kate's beautiful singing complemented by a great band, including John McCusker on fiddle and 27 other instruments. Kate's song introductions are informative and charming and funny. The production values on the DVD are perfect: you get to see all of the musicians from every angle, even from the back. The cameras move slowly and even look at the audience so you get a good feel for the venue and where the band fits into it all. The sound is fine, the musicianship stellar, and everyone looks to be having a good time of it. Beyond the concert the DVD provides Kate singing in various informal settings: a living room, a pub (hey! there's Phil Cunningham at the table playing accordion) with assorted folks joining her. And there are interviews, too! This DVD is a perfect way to add depth to your appreciation of Kate Rusby's music or a fine way to introduce her to your friends.
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