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Kate Burke and Ruth Hazleton (Australia)

Touring the UK in July-August 2008.
Soundclip: The Lost Sailor - Lovely Nancy

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"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." - Graham MacDonald, National Folk Festival, Canberra, Australia

Kate & Ruth are one of Australia’s most exciting young folk acts.  Since 1998 their trademark interpretations of folk songs have won them international acclaim and popularity.  Their material draws on the music of Australia, the UK, Ireland and America – and incorporates the wisdom of folkloric history coupled with the forward thinking of contemporary songwriting.  The duo are widely acclaimed for their musically captivating, uniquely warm, humourous and engaging performances, and have won the support of audiences throughout Australia and the UK.  Ruth & Kate present songs of social commentary and cultural significance and are renowned for their vocal harmonies, imaginative and expressive arrangements and outstanding musicianship.

Awards include the ScreenSound Australia Award for Best Folk Album 2003, and the Canberra Critics’ Circle Award for best-selling album at the National Folk Festival in 2001.  They were voted by Folk Alliance Australia members as one of the top three Best Live Acts in 2006.  After their first ever festival appearance at the 1998 National Folk Festival, the duo received the Lis Johnston Award for Vocal Excellence.

They have toured Ireland and recorded with Andy Irvine and Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, and have performed with the likes of James Keelaghan and Kristina Olsen.  They have also recently recorded a track with Bruce Molsky of Mozaik for their upcoming album.

Kate Burke has been singing and performing as a multi-instrumentalist for many years, and has won much acclaim as a member of Trouble in the Kitchen. Kate has recorded with many artists including Judy Small and David Ross McDonald (The Waifs),and has appeared as a soloist at the Sydney Opera House for a season of Bush Babies’ Proms. Kate loves Irish tunes and has been seen in sessions playing concertina, fiddle, button accordian, guitar and bouzouki.  She is also an acclaimed songwriter, and her Song for Reconciliation was nominated for a Music Oz Award in 2003.

Ruth Hazleton has been performing in numerous touring acts for over a decade. She has dabbled in a variety of musical genres including Appalachian old-timey, klezmer, Hungarian and Anglo-Celtic roots music.  She has worked as singer, guitarist and clawhammer banjo player with numerous bands including Closet Klezmer, the Horse’s Leotard and Dev’lish Mary.  Alongside studying Australian folklore, Ruth has recently been working as a collector of childrens’ folklore.  Ruth is a strong and agile vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and has spent many years chasing good music and good musical company

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.

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