Awkward Annie

"Of all the stars in the Folk firmament, few shine as brightly or sing as sweetly as Kate Rusby."
- The Sun

"Catchy Rusby originals, gorgeous ballads, lush strings and brass, jaunty banjo. Chris Thile, Kris Drever, John Doyle and more add new sounds to Kate's regular A-class gang."
- BBC Radio 2

"This is Kate Rusby's first self-produced album, and she plays to her strengths, with few surprises except for her increased use of strings and piano. As ever, she switches between her two favourite styles: there are jaunty, mildly quirky and humorous songs like the title track or The Old Man; and then the far more distinctive slow, sad-edged ballads that are so suited to her light, pure vocals. There are self-composed songs here, from the pleasantly drifting Planets to the lament for the death of a child (Daughter of Heaven), but it's her reworking of traditional songs that is most satisfying. This latest selection includes John Barbury and a glorious revival of the McPeake Family's Blooming Heather, which builds to a rousing finale with help from opera singer John Hudson. The annoyingly titled "bonus track" is a solid treatment of Ray Davies' Village Green Preservation Society. Her followers will not be disappointed."
- The Guardian