Autumn Albums - Kate Rusby

At the start of each new season, I make a playlist on iTunes of all of the seasonally appropriate songs and albums on my iPod. Having music with just the right atmosphere for the season makes it tremendously deeper, I think. Perhaps in writing about these albums I'll share a new-to-you artist or help you rediscover a long-forgotten favorite.

Today, we are talking about Kate Rusby. Oh Kate, how I love you. Exhibit A: she's adorable. As beautiful as her voice.



My favorite album of hers is The Girl Who Couldn't Fly:



There are a few traditional songs mixed in with her original compositions, and I love them all. I never skip any of the songs on this CD, not-a-one. The ratio of playful songs to wistful is just right, and she sings about everything - travel, town life, adventure, love, battle...all evoking the stories we settle down to especially as the cozy nights draw in.

The other two albums I own are 10 (whose album cover is the first image above) and Underneath the Stars, each of which is beautiful in its own way:



I believe these two have more traditional songs than the first, and that is fine by me. Songs that are steeped in history often have that certain draw that I can't put my finger on. And her arrangements of these old pieces never fail to evoke the romance of times long past.

Kate has other albums (including a Christmas album and a new CD due out in November!) that I will someday get my hands on. I'm sure they're just as amazing as these. You can visit her site at www.katersuby.com. ✩