Mmmm ... lot of discussion and adulation re Kate Rusby. Nice sound; very simple but seductive double drop D tuning; top notch backing etc but you should go to the source of Kate's inspiration (I suspect anyhow) and listen to the "real deal" here - Sharon Fountain.

If, like me, you prefer your trad-folk female vocalists to be non-saccharin and samey, and you want guitar playing and singing with genuine grab you by collar "grit" and "punch" - then check out Sharon. She's also fom Barnsley (where Kate as a young lass no doubt saw her and thought - "I must try that style"), obviously older (and yes, dare I say it, much more experienced).

See her at one of her gigs - it'll cost you less than a fiver (most probably nowt at all), you'll actually be able to sit close and even talk to her during the interval. She'll be very embarrassed if you ask her for an autograph though.

Seriously - look her up, and listen/get wise