It was through this album that I discovered Kate Rusby - I was given it as a present, and as soon as I have the money I intend to go out and get something else by her. Anything. Her style of singing and the songs that she has written and arranged are simply breathtaking. To see her, you wouldn't expect her voice to be so sweet and pure, but it is a lovely style to listen to.
Kate Rusby uses a lot of traditional songs in her repotoire, but she makes them her own with interesting arrangements, or by using the words to a traditional song and composing her own tune. There is a perfect mix of new and trad songs in this album, and of her own songs on the album, 'high on a hill' and 'planets' are my two favourites.
The bonus track 'The village green preservation society' (by Ray Davis) is a nice change of pace at the end of the album, a quirky fun tune that lends a slightly less relaxed feel to the record.
The only bad thing I would have to say about this album is that in the song 'blooming heather', which is a song I have a particular attachment to, the harmony vocals by John Hudson spoil the entire rest of the track - they are far too over the top and operatic. This is a shame, as there is really nothing wrong with the rest of the track, and it evens features vocals by Eddie Reader, but it's just not enough to redeem it in my eyes.
This said, the other songs on the album more than make up for this temporary lapse in judgement, and if you like people like Norah Jones, I would reccomend giving this a listen. If you like this, I would also reccomend Ruth Notman.