CityLife

Must see: Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams

Britain – it seems a fair observation to make – is not lacking in ridiculously talented female singer songwriters these days, as the last two years of music have proved.

And it’s equally fair to say that these talented girls have spread themselves across the genres well, with significant names in indie, dance, classical, pop and world music.

Among the most toasted of the current crop of folk musicians is Kathryn Williams (pictured), a Liverpudian-turned-Geordie, whose low key career on and off major labels extends to seven solo albums and one very special duet record with the late Kirsty MacColl’s half brother, Neill.

Her new LP, The Quickening, promises to extend the story so far, from the traditional English folk-meets-eerie Americana of Winter Is Sharp and the stirring jazzy drama of Cream Of The Crop to the African shimmy of Little Lesson and the straightforward, acoustic elegance of Just A Feeling.

Kathryn takes the album, released last Monday, out on a national tour this week.

Band On The Wall - March 1, 2010 - £14.50 (£11.60 members).