I just received the new "Live from Leeds" concert DVD by the Kate Rusby Band, and am pleased to report that it is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

Filmed in a beautiful vintage theater with a multi-camera setup, the concert is lovingly lit and photographed, with gorgeous 5.1 surround sound. It features 15 songs and one tune set over 87 minutes.

Musicians are of course John McCusker (Mr. Rusby) and Andy Cutting, plus Ian Carr, Michael McGoldrick and Ewen Vernal (who mysteriously is not credited on the box). The arrangements are very intricate, and the playing, as you would expect, is stellar throughout. There are lots of closeups of the players and of course the lovely Kate herself, plus a heaping helping of her witty onstage banter.

The DVD also features 71 minutes of extras such as interviews, some solo and trio performances, footage from Kate's kitchen and from various backstage areas, one of which shows her singing Iris DeMent's "Our Town" as a duo with someone named Laura Cantrell (does anyone here know who that is?)

Highly recommended, and available in USA from Compass Records.
(Still waiting for the Planxty DVD which should show up here any day!)

Cheers,
Michael