Search - Kate Rusby - Live from Leeds on DVD

The star underneath the stars

David T. Steere, Jr. | Annapolis, MD United States | 06/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Yanks Listen Too

W. Cook | Austin, Texas USA | 07/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

A pure, perfect concert video

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Unqualified Recommendation

Steve D. Heckenlively | Camarillo, CA USA | 09/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"God knows I've had my complaints about some of her CDs,
but they don't apply here, because if you are like me,
among the ~90% of her fans who will never see her live,
this DVD is your only extant chance to see, as well as hear.

To put it another way, the very first time I tried to
watch this, I had to pace myself out across about 4 nights,
and when the DVD was over, my first thought was "She ought
to make a concert DVD for every studio CD she makes.

Isn't that wild?

If you wish to know what opened my eyes most, it was 2
odd-angled camera shots of Johnny (may I call him that?).
Watch the DVD, see what I saw (twice), and you too will
learn a bit about where the staggering emotional depth
of her best work comes from. Life is too fragile for words,
and faith is too strong for words. Poor, poor words!

Better to sing, those who may.

I bought "Leeds" with "Underneath the Stars", then bought
"The Girl Who Couldn't Fly" a few days later. That last
disc is still in its wrapper, and it will stay there until
I am sure I have my received all I am able to from "Leeds"
and "Stars".

Kate Rusby is like a great secret that you wish you could
tell to the whole world, except the telling is nothing,
and the songs can be dodged and eluded by those who do not
seek; yet those who do seek (I am speaking of meaning and
expression), find, within her songs. This is marvellous to me.
All the more so because she neither wants nor has a monopoly
on the delight of her audience. So, enjoy, but branch out, too."