Kate's sad songs are born classics

A look of mock-bewilderment crossed Kate's face: "I explained this is what I did. People have been asking if I'm going to go in a different direction. But this is my music, it's what I do. There are sad songs. But they aren't miserable."

The album, Awkward Annie (Pure Records) will be out in early September and to prove the point, it includes a wonderful rendition of the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society - recorded at the personal request of Jennifer Saunders as theme tune for her BBC tv sitcom Jam and Jerusalem.

It also features half a dozen traditional songs, several with melodies re-worked by Kate. But the highlights are the original songs from her pen. In particular Planets and The Bitter Boy are new-born classics.

And, sorry Emma, they are quite sad. The Bitter Boy, who 'took the heart away forever', has Kate singing: "I hold the saddest song/and wish to God I cannot feel it." While in Planets, she laments: "You said, turn around/So I cannot see your tears falling."

But she is quick to emphasise that the songs are not about 'me or my situation', even though she comments in the sleeve notes: "For many reasons this record has been immensely tough to make. There has been heartbreak and loss and grief beyond words, all things to make us stronger apparently, not so. I ground to a halt more than once and gave up."

That refered, among other things, to the deaths of her Nanan Ivy and Uncle Stanley, who passed away within days of each other while Kate worked on the album.

More down to earth but irritating just the same was a post-floods power cut which blacked out her Pennine studios. It was as though some force was testing Kate as she sampled her first taste of the producer's chair: "It was daunting, like an artist sitting before a blank canvas.

"But I had my brother Joe to help and it all began taking shape. Then I began to feel really proud at what we were achieving."

Kate's duties as producer are not the only first on the album. Joe - a former Wakefield Cathedral chorister - makes his vocal debut, providing harmonies on the hauntingly beautiful Farewell. Said Kate: "There's a lovely softness to his voice. But he's very shy. He wouldn't do it when I was there so he did it in secret. He stayed up to five in the morning to record his vocals and the next day he said he had something for me to hear. It made me cry."

The album shows that Kate found a new strength during those dark days. It is classic Rusby, but at the same time has a fresh approach which will once and for all dispel the image of a new kid on the folk block. She's a polished performer, and now a talented producer.

Add to this an industry awards, including one from the English Folk Dance and Song Society and you can see why people are in awe of this lovely lass from Barnsley.

She performs in Cawthorne tomorrow and is at Sheffield City Hall on Saturday, Sep 15. Call 0114 2789 789.