The interest to declare is that I have admired the singing of Kate Rusby for many years, have interviewed her and also once wrote something for her website. But last night's concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London was all the more remarkable for the strength of the accompanying musicians and singers.

My own review is here -
http://www.salutlive.com/2012/10/kate-rusby-warmth-maturity-and-class.html - and you can agree or disagree with my views on Rusby.

But any gig that gives what are essentially walk-on parts to people of the quality of Dick Gaughan, Declan O'Rourke, Eddi Reader and Donald Shaw seems somehow special. I was especially impressed by the harmony singing and musicianship of a young American, Sarah Jacosz, and suspect a few of those at the gig will have decided on last night's snapshots alone to explore her own work further.

I remember seeing the Irish band Arcady many years ago - eight strong including Sharon Shannon and Frances Black and Johnny McDonagh - and thinking it could never be viable. It didn't last.

Last night there were 19 singers and musicians on stage for the finale and up to 13 at any one time in the earlier proceedings. This was naturally a special occasion, promoting an album marking Rusby's 20 years in the business, but I was astonished at how well it worked, vocally and instrumentally (the medley of Irish and Yorkshire tunes was sublime). If any other Mudcat members were there, or at the earlier gigs in Sheffield, I'd be interested to hear whether they shared my enthusiasm.