I bought Rough Music after listening to much of the material in a live performance with the Ratcatchers. The record manages to capture much of the atmosphere of the live show which is always pleasing.

After several albums (e.g. Angels and Cigarettes) in which Eliza Carthy moved towards a more mainstream style, (perhaps with the idea of a pop career?) Rough Music was a welcome hybrid of some of the better aspects of her newer material and the earlier Waterson-Carthy style tracks. The sound is quite stripped-down and focussed on Eliza’s excellent vocals and the sublime playing of Messrs Spiers & Boden.

I was especially impressed by Maid on the Shore (rousing and a fine nautical tale) and the version of Mike Harding’s ’The Gallant Huzzar’

Overall, a highly recommended album.