This may seem a simplistic point of view to some (and I am the first to say that I consider Kate Rusby a wonderfully talented Singer - in fact my favorite!) but I think that what brings the true beauty into the songs that she sings is the fact that she loves the music. It is plain from the way she approaches them (and also the fact that she turned her back on the opportunity to "go commercial" when Kathryn Roberts and the other members of "The Equation" did so) that her loyalty to the music (and to the "folk tradition", which includes her own songwriting) is the foundation for everything she does musically. In other words (without the flourishes) I think the beauty comes from the fact that that Kate sings from the heart, out of a sincere love for the songs. Can anyone tell me what songs are on the "Cowsong" release (other than "Cowsong" obviously!)And Izzy, I am Sooooo jealous! The 'grapevine' has it that Kate will be touring the States in 2000 - anyone have any scoops on where or when? :-) (We wait on the edge of our collective seats!)