How often does it happen that a folk album makes such an impression that even the music industry cannot ignore it? It happened with this album by Seth Lakeman, which was nominated for a Mercury Prize, one of the most important music awards in England. Kitty Jay therefore wipes the floor with all the prejudices that exist against the 'dusty' folk genre. Lakeman is a true storyteller in the best folk
… tradition but delivers his songs with the passion and fury of a young dog. All songs are set in the Dartmoor area, where Lakeman was born and raised. Four of them are traditionals, the rest he wrote himself. Lakeman has an unusually powerful voice and is also a virtuoso on guitar and violin. All qualities come together nicely in the title track. To the accompaniment of maniacal fiddle play, the story is told of Kitty Jay, a woman who became pregnant without being married and who killed herself in shame. To this day, fresh flowers are placed on her grave by an unknown person. This music is creepier than most of the hip-hop from the ghetto. (MS)more
