Little Lights

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Kate Rusby's fragile, haunting voice is only the first reason among equals that makes Little Lights such an unmitigated delight. Just as wondrous are her delicate acoustic arrangements of traditional tunes, the sensitive musicianship of her collaborators (notably guitarists Ian Carr and John Doyle, and the refined backing vocals of Eddi Reader) and, last but definitely not least, her burgeoning songwriting skills. There are more Rusby originals here than on her previous two solo albums, with the catchy story-songs "I Courted a Sailor" and "William and Davy" proving standout items. That is until the extraordinary climax of the album and "My Young Man"--a deeply personal song about Rusby's own grandparents--in which her molasses-rich voice is accompanied by a heavenly brass choir. Elsewhere an achingly mournful cover of Richard Thompson's "Withered and Died" once again demonstrates Rusby's subtle magic with other people's material. (As a bonus track, the Rusby clan get together for an impromptu family rendition of "The Big Ship Sails".) Anyone charmed by Rusby's Mercury Award-nominated Sleepless or her mature debut Hourglass need not hesitate. Those yet to discover one of the finest voices in British folk should rush to acquire all three. --Mark Walker

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-04-12 rating:
beautiful!
I bought this album because i stumbled across the song 'who will sing me lullabies' on youtube and well what can i say it's just so beautiful. Every song makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end ( in a good way). I can't imagine anyone not liking this her voice is so brilliant and i love the way her accent shines through it's truly an amazing album.

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review by: date: 2006-03-04 rating:
Rusby's best album
Having been following this singer/songwriter for nearly ten years now, I believe that "Little Lights" is Kate's best. Unlike her rather dreary efforts "Sleepless" or "Underneath The Stars", there is a splendid variety of both textures and styles and the musicians are allowed to get carried away. There's some lively input from McGoldrick (flutes), McCusker (fiddle) and Carr (guitar), the latter providing some stunning arrangements as well as rhythmic impetus. This sophistication complements the simplicity of the lyrics and Rusby's beautiful but somewhat mono-dynamic voice.

This album also contains what may be her finest song. "My Young Man" is an unaffected but devastating account of her grandmother nursing her grandfather through chronic illness, a result of years spent working in the mines. The brass band arrangement works perfectly... the effect is enough to make a grown man cry!

If you're a fan of acoustic music, fine singing and musical craftsmanship, you'll love this.

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review by: date: 2005-04-24 rating:
Bright Star!
I first saw Kate perform live at the Sidmouth Festival in 2004 and she was incredible. She has the ability to project emotion and feeling unlike most other artists today. She is one in a million, and i hope she will go on and on and on, just like a star in space.

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review by: date: 2004-10-11 rating:
BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING
This is the first album i have bought of Kate's but definately wont be the last. Her voice is amazing and her yorkshire accent coming through is a welcome change. i recently saw her at the Lyceum in Sheffield and it was the best gig i have seen. there was no faultering notes, i could have been listening to the CD her voice was so good. And John Mcusker was always fishing for another instrument! The 5 members of the grimethorpe colliery band were a welcome treat as were the other members of the band and they all brought humour to the stage in between each song. i cant wait for another chance to see them all.


review by: date: 2004-02-16 rating:
It's all true.
Everything you've heard of Kate Rusby is true. And it's had no better demonstration than on this disk.

Song after song of her blissful voice and a band absolutely on the top of their game. The combination may just leave you in slack-jawed bewonderment.

I suppose the thing that really resonates from the experience of listening to "Little Lights" is that you have an over-riding sensation that the songs were all written two hundred years ago and you've heard them throughout your entire life. You haven't, and five of these were penned within the last few years by Rusby herself. But there's a timelessness here (in its most faithful meaning - absolutely defying chronological positioning) which fosters a weight of history, a sense that they're all part of your life.

It sounds pretentious, I know.

But hear me out. The album flows perfectly and there is no weak track. And just when you think your sweet-melancholy can't be any further rung from you, she finishes off with "My Young Man", recorded with the brass of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The song just staggers your legs and knocks the wind from your chest. No fancy production but, building from an a capella opening, the most subtle and moving arrangement imagineable. It's the song that nails the fifth star to this review.

I don't like to award five stars to anything but as the album winds up and I've got this knot in my chest, I just can't not.

Do yourself a favour. Click "Add to basket".

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