Kate Rusby – Hand Me Down (Pure Records, 2020)
Hand Me Down is a delightful, intimate album from English folk singer Kate Rusby. The album was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It is a family recording, featuring her husband, Irish multi-instrumentalist and producer Damien O’Kane, and their children as well.
If you have not heard of Kate Rusby before, she has of the most recognizable voices in the British folk scene. It is a lovely, captivating voice.
On Hand Me Down, Kate Rusby selected favorite songs by well-known artists from various musical genres (pop, rock, American folk, country, and reggae) and transformed them into modern folk songs, combining traditional folk, pop and dreamy Americana.
The lineup on Hand Me Down includes Kate Rusby on vocals; Damien O’Kane on guitar, tenor guitars, electric tenor guitar, banjo, drum programming, and backing vocals; Daisy Rusby-O’Kane on backing vocals; Phoebe Rusby-O’Kane on backing vocals; Duncan Lyall on Moog and other synthesizers; Ron Block on banjo; Josh Clark on percussion and brushed drums; and the 3 Little Birds Choir featuring members of the Rusby, O’Kane and Holling families.
The physical edition of the album includes the lyrics and charming illustrations by Tom Pitts.
Buy Hand Me Down
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.