Kate Rusby remains Britain’s most popular female folk singer in part because she has mastered the art of Christmas songs. She is currently on tour promoting this new Christmas album, which follows on from Sweet Bells and While Mortals Sleep by providing a cheerful reminder that Christmas is part of the folk tradition. Once again, she revives songs that are performed in seasonal sing-alongs in pubs in Yorkshire (with Cornish songs now added in), and treats them with her distinctively pure, intimate and understated vocals. She doesn’t stray far from her vocal comfort zone, but variety is provided by classy backing including a five-piece brass section, accordion, and the guitar and banjo work of her partner, Damien O’Kane. The songs include new versions of Christmas carols, a gently jazzy Winter Wonderland, and one Rusby composition, the cheerfully contented title track. A safe and tested format, maybe, but it still works.
