It's great to welcome back to the fold a bone fide British artist. In Kate Rusby, we have a treasure we need to grasp like a dying breath. With only the merest hint of Celtic undertones, some may feel this is over dramatic, but just check out the album for yourselves and you'll see what I mean. Kate not only sings traditional English songs, she writes them too! Innovation comes in many guises and here she pens lyrics in a style that would do justice to MacColl or Lloyd. 'Playing Of Ball' nestles comfortably alongside her own 'I Courted A Sailor' aided and abetted by a rather tasty guitar accompaniment from Ian Carr and the twin whistles and tenor banjo (!) of Michael McGoldrick. John McCusker, once again at the helm as producer brings to bear a multitude of the folk Mafia for a sparkling album full of gems.

PETE FYFE

Kate has a hauntingly beautiful voice and the musicians that back her are absolutely brilliant