Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: Rasener
Date: 19 May 06 - 05:09 AM

Steve Winwood - John Barleycorn -originnally intended as a solo, but turned into Traffic when Chris Wood and Jim Capaldi joined him on it.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 19 May 06 - 04:58 AM

I would point out that over the years many popular Irish singers or bands - pop, rock (Thin Lizzy), blues (Van Morrisson) have acknowledged an element of folk music in their background and roots. Some have recorded their version of tradiional songs (maybe murdering them - no names mentioned - but at least they tried). Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains play with anybody from any musical scene.
What's so wrong with Mr. Keating being allowed to sing with somebody who is definitely a part of the English Folk Music scene? Don't knock it - he might learn something.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 19 May 06 - 04:35 AM

Thanks Woodsie, didn't think anyone was going to pick up on my earlier link as no one has mentioned it yet. I know that the subject matter is Kate Rusby but thought that someone would have at least bothered to check out the link.

Kate is a fine young artist and I wish her and Ronan well with this song. But I am thrilled for Don as well, all sums make the whole and I think we often forget about the people who write the lyrics and music.

~Debs~

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 19 May 06 - 03:51 AM

Don Mescall who wrote this song (haven't heard it yet) is a brilliant young Irish singer songwriter who has written songes for Frances Black and Ritchie Havens. He has performed a couple of times for the folkmob folk club in Eltham, These were memorable evenings.

Instead of whingeing about "betrayal" why don't you celebrate that a former teenybopper has attempted to embrace "folk". This can only be a good thing bringing the above mentioned artists to a wider audience

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: harryrages
Date: 18 May 06 - 03:11 PM

Good luck to Kate - why shouldn't any artist try and diversify - nobody owns her. Dylan rejected the 'protest label' and went on. The great thing about Emmy Lou Harris is that she uses her talent to make music - not become pigeon holed.
Go for it Kate I say.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: s&r
Date: 18 May 06 - 02:57 PM

Kate was on main stage at Fylde at 13-14, and was so nervous her mum stood behind her on stage.

She was the winner of Fylde's young Performers' competition.

Stu

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby (duet with POP star Ronan Keating)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 May 06 - 01:19 PM

The Villan has coyly omitted to mention that Kate and Ronan appeared on Strictly Dance Fever last Saturday evening. I was pleasantly surprised.

Of course Ali Anderson was once on Top of the Pops with Kate Bush.... I don't think that destroyed his folk credibility, did it?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 May 06 - 12:46 PM

Sorry

When I said "never really" I meant that whilst she did do some folk clubs, with Kathryn and on her own, folk clubs were not her biggest thing. And when I said "always" I meant that is where she made her first appearance (Holmfirth at 15) and festivals is where she made her name. So sorry if I managed to get that wrong.

And there are less and less folk clubs these days (especially in comparison as to when I was a lad). Loads of festivals though.

Sheffield for example as a city finds it very difficult to support a folk club. (Some good ones in the area, Kiveton and Wickersley and Kiveton for example, but not really in the city.

Good session scene and concerts and some good dancing, but not much of a "regular" folk club booking artists.

And Ray, you're a local and don't count!!

As indeed I am.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: GUEST
Date: 18 May 06 - 12:42 PM

I think she might simply be using her talent to try and improve the quality of pop music.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 18 May 06 - 12:15 PM

A rousing hurrah to Mr Keating for choosing Miss Rusby, I'm sure he could have sung it with almost anyone he wanted to.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 18 May 06 - 12:01 PM

Good luck Kate. Do your own thing luv.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: harpmolly
Date: 18 May 06 - 11:33 AM

Cheesy though the song may be, I do think their voices blend very nicely together. And what I particularly like is that, while Ronan is performing his very "pop"-style vocals (and that's not a criticism...just the way his music has evolved), Kate is still singing in her own pure style, without a lot of froufrou--she lets him take care of the impassioned melody while providing a lovely, understated counterpoint. The two styles complement each other very well, IMHO. And those harmonies...yumm!

Now, if Kate were to start singing like Ronan on all her albums, I'd be up in arms. But I don't think this necessarily heralds that sort of behavior. ;) And as others have said above, I'm not against Kate finding a wider audience for her music at all...pop leanings aside, I'm sure they'll take one listen to "Sleepless" or "Underneath the Stars" and be sucked right into the folk world. She has that effect. *grin*

Besides, Kate has already had her run-ins with the "Folk Police", and she probably figures that at this point she has little to lose and everything to gain...

Cheers,

Molly

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 18 May 06 - 10:09 AM

Saw her as a screaming kid!

In the family band with Steve and Ann

Also with Kathryn Roberts at Shoddy Doggie, Dewsbury

and at Festivals such as Fylde and Warwick

Good luck to her, takes a lot of guts to sing in large venues and she should mature in many different ways as a performer and hopefully as a person who understands her working class roots

Ray

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: AggieD
Date: 18 May 06 - 10:00 AM

Err could I mention Richard Thompson at this point. The man has great respect throughout much of the modern music industry but still manages to retain his folkie roots.

Good luck to her I say & yes why not take folk into main stream. There are still many people around of a certain age that look back fondly on the music of Steelye Span etc., but wouldn't ever call themselves folkies.

Good folk music does not have to be contained in local folk clubs. The more folkie type music that gets out the better I say, educate the masses.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: GUEST,concerned fan
Date: 18 May 06 - 09:00 AM

But she does'nt look very well these days though.

The stresses of striving for & maintaining
music biz success ?

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Scrump
Date: 18 May 06 - 08:53 AM

It's an interesting point you make though. Sometimes when you've followed an artist from their humble beginnings gigging in folk clubs, and see them become a big star, part of you is pleased for their success, when you realise they've gone on to bigger and (possibly) better things, but a part of you (perhaps selfishly) realises you will miss seeing them in the intimate surroundings of the back room at the pub, and that things won't ever be the same again. It's a bit like when your kids leave home, I guess.

I guess it depends what you mean by "losing to the pop world" though - if Kate (for example) gave up folk music and ended up like Kylie or Madonna that would be a shame. But if she can somehow remain true to her roots and become popular at the same time, that's probably a good thing for folk music generally. If what they say is true - that "folk is cool" - then maybe TOTP will soon feature Morris Dancers instead of the disco dancers or breakdancers (or whatever they have these days - I haven't seen it for years), and the charts will be full of our favourite artists. Is that good or not? I'm not sure myself.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: fiddler
Date: 18 May 06 - 08:40 AM

Separatism, oooh thats how wars start.

I like all sorts of music and lots of it form Rimsky Korsakoff to Jimi hendrix is rooted in folk.

Let her make her millions - I'm not jealous.

We all move on some times we retain contact with our roots in some way or another. If not then never mind lets enjoy what we have had rather than resent what we might have had if she does move on and away from folk.

She may get folk in to a more mainstream arena - or perhaps thats bad too!

Andy

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Big Phil
Date: 18 May 06 - 08:30 AM

I was not knocking Kate for the duet with Mr Keating, I am sure she can do as she pleases, it was just a general question, IMHO it would be a shame to lose her to the POP world..........

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Scrump
Date: 18 May 06 - 08:13 AM

I thought most artists started in folk clubs and festivals - isn't that how you get noticed? I didn't think you had to be one or t'other.

Anyway, yes I have seen her in folk clubs and yes I guess I was lucky!

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Santa
Date: 18 May 06 - 07:25 AM

Saw her with Kathryn Roberts in the Lane Ends. If she wasn't a folk club artist she did a remarkable impression of one, for she also came back later by herself. Yes, she did become more a festival artist, but "never" and "always" are strong words.

Exceedingly lucky I won't argue with: she was a star act then.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 May 06 - 05:50 AM

I saw her in Tilston folk club in Cheshire.The audience was in double figures, but only just, as far as I can remember. Things change, dont they?

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 May 06 - 05:47 AM

First of all let Kate do and sing what she likes.

Secondly she was never really a folk club artist, if you saw here in a folk club you were exceedingly lucky. She has always been a festival artist.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Scrump
Date: 18 May 06 - 05:06 AM

Paul Brady has also duetted with Ronan Keating (and even co-written a song with him) which caused similar "outrage" among folkies a few years back, but it doesn't seem to have done his reputation any long-term damage ;-)

As others have said, it's a shame we seem to have lost Kate to the folk clubs, but that's what being successful does. Good luck to her!

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 May 06 - 04:34 AM

Nobody is more innocently employed than when making money(or something to that effect, I believe Dr Johnson said). Good luck to the lass. I wont personally be buying the record, but I'm sure others will. She is getting attacked by a few people here and there for betraying her roots or selling out or whatever: I hate the way some people seem to want to own performers just because they like them. Kate Rusby can sing what she likes as far as I am concerned. I saw this video on a huge screen in a pub in Newark, and was completely unaware that this collaboration had happened. We were standing having a pint and kind of glancing at this mega-intrusive giant screen peddling noise into the bar, and suddenly we are saying "Doesnt she look like Kate Rusby" and a second later "Bloody hell, it is Kate Rusby".
    Kate Rusby has given a lot of folkies a few much-needed lessons in business acumen, and I'm sure will continue to do so. I admire her for it.

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 18 May 06 - 04:28 AM

The song itself is lovely. it was written by a guy called Don mescall who is a great artist in his own right and has several albums of his own.
You should check him out http://www.donmescall.com/default.htm
Hope I have done that clicky right.

Debs

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 May 06 - 04:16 AM

Ronan has done a few 'folky' numbers himself so perhaps it is him going back to his roots rather than Kate becoming pop? I'm not a big fan of Ms Rusby myself but if she manages to get the unwashed masses interested then more power to he elbow!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: breezy
Date: 17 May 06 - 04:45 PM

Ronan is grabbing at straws

Never heard them called that before

Good luck to them both

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: Rasener
Date: 17 May 06 - 04:02 PM

I saw her singing on ITV with him. It seemed quite good. Will she remember her folkroots if she makes it big though, or will it be a question of catch her on the way down?

Subject: RE: Kate Rusby
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 May 06 - 03:59 PM

She may just be trying to earn a few bob!
G

Subject: Kate Rusby
From: Big Phil
Date: 17 May 06 - 03:26 PM

Is Kate leaving her Folk roots behind her to duet with POP star Ronan Keating...........