Performance Review:
The Glenfarg Folk Club, Perthshire, Scotland

On Monday 19th August a wonderful, musical breath of fresh air blew into the Glenfarg Village Folk Club in the form of Australian duo Ruth Hazelton and Kate Burke. Ruth and Kate were unknown to the Glenfarg audience and we were not entirely sure what to expect when they took to the stage. In a matter of seconds they had won us over with their friendly and relaxed banter. “How do people greet each other in Glenfarg?” they asked. “What are ye drinking?” came the swift reply from the audience… and the tone was set for the evening. The excitement of their first trip to the UK and the pleasure they were deriving from it was evident for all to see. Ruth was fascinated by the fact that water spiraled down the plughole in the opposite direction from the southern hemisphere. But as soon as they started to sing their first song you became aware that this pair had far more talent and experience than their youthful looks suggested. They were equally at ease singing acappella as they were accompanying themselves deftly on guitar. (Hand-made by a Scotsman living in Australia). Their voices were crystal clear, note perfect and combined in magical harmonies that left the listener spell bound. As if being talented singers and musicians were not enough, they displayed a wealth of knowledge about the traditional songs they sang. They radiated an enthusiasm for the history, content and singing of the songs that infected all present. There was a pride and a passion in their delivery of Australian versions of ballads that had started life in Britain. They were informative, entertaining and full of an insatiable zest for life, which gave their music a vibrant edge. If this is an example of the talent coming out of Australia then I would suggest buying shares in Quantas Airlines because music lovers around the globe will be demanding regular visits from the likes of the refreshing and delightful Kate Burke and Ruth Hazelton.

CD Review : A Thousand Miles or More

This is the second CD from this Canberra/Melbourne duo, following the charming 'The Bee-Loud Glade' of a couple of years ago. Burke is well known as the singer with formerly Canberra, now Melbourne, based Irish band Trouble in the Kitchen, while Hazleton also sings with local Klezmer group Closet Klezmer and American old-time band The Horse's Leotard. In contrast to these other activities, this CD focuses much more on the British and Irish ballad tradition. Where on the first CD the source of the material was, at times, a little obvious and predictable, the songs on this recording have been found from more diverse origins, and the CD is the richer for it. Especially notable is an Australian song, 'The Wreck of the Dandenong', with a chorus added by Burke giving a different slant to the song turning it into a tale of a lost loved one. The two singers have contrasting, yet complimentary voices, confident and convincing in delivery. The harmony work is often adventurous, following the style established by groups such as The Watersons with the addition of the occasional Balkan influence. It is a delight to hear two young musicians working with traditional songs, carefully and tastefully arranged, in one of the most enjoyable local folk releases this year.
Graham MacDonald, Program Director, National Folk Festival, Canberra, Australia