Kate Rusby - Awkward Annie review

Album of the week – Originating from a dark place, but undoubtedly casting a ray of light on this week’s new releases comes Kate Rusby’s seventh album, Awkward Annie.

Need to know

Despite being considered one of England’s finest and most established folk singers the baby-faced 33-year-old Kate Rusby is apparently still asked for identification when she tries to buy wine at the local Co-Op.

Born in South Yorkshire and sometimes referred to as ‘The Barnsley Nightingale’, Rusby has received three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and hit the charts last year with duet ‘All Over Again’ alongside Ronan Keating. During the production of Awkward Annie, Rusby’s seventh solo album and the first to be self-produced, the artist lost two close relatives and split with her husband/producer John McCusker.

Best track

Standing out in a beautiful collection of traditional folk music is the title track ‘Awkward Annie’, which is a heartfelt, soothing and melodic track characteristic of Rusby’s well-established, instantly-recognisable style. A fun-filled cover of The Kinks’ ‘Village Green Preservation Society’ is also worth a mention, as a bonus track.

Worst track

‘Daughter of Heaven’ and ‘Andrew Lammie’ may have you reaching for the ‘next’ button – not because they are any less superb than the rest of the album but, accompanied by a tender note on the CD cover, are indisputable tear-jerkers.

One for the collection?

While Awkward Annie and English folk music in general might not be everyone’s cup of tea, for those not familiar with Kate Rusby this new album would make a welcome addition to almost any collection. It’s perfect for an autumn stroll with nothing more than an iPod to keep you company, and won’t fail to touch your heart on a cold Sunday afternoon in front of the fire. Awkward Annie is well worth giving the time of day and, if you want to catch the songstress live, she’s currently on a jam-packed tour of modest venues across the country.

3 September 2007
James Fryer