Category: Press Page 4 of 6

Great review by Fiona Shepherd in today’s Scotsman:

“Ever the perfectionist, Kate Bush has revisited earlier songs, the first-time recordings of which didn’t reflect her original vision. The resulting revamps are satisfying, rounded – and occasionally bizarre …Kate Bush has always done exactly what she wanted. It’s part of what makes her the singular artist she is, one whose increasingly rare musical outings have become so revered that there are many, many fans who would prefer to hear anything rather than nothing from her. So if Kate wants to revisit a selection of songs from two of her previous albums, The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, then so be it …“

The Metro free-sheet paper in the UK and Ireland has ran a 4 star review from Arwa Haider who calls Director’s Cut: “a self-styled ‘remix’ album (with guests including Danny Thompson, Eric Clapton and Mica Paris) laced with heart-racing action.” Read the full review here

Review by Simon Price in Sunday’s Independent:

“Director’s Cut was greeted with reactions ranging between disappointment, bafflement and ridicule, before anyone had heard a note. On paper, it’s true, the prospects didn’t look promising … Taken on its own merits, however, there’s plenty to enjoy …”

Interesting review in Sunday’s Observer, by Kitty Empire:

“Kate Bush has earned the privilege of working in geological time. She was once a pop star who turned out landmark releases relatively quickly, but now, aeons pass between releases … Only a nerd of the deepest hue would bother to painstakingly transpose her 1993 album, The Red Shoes, from its digitally produced final cut into analogue tracks, held by many audiophiles to be “warmer”-sounding. This is precisely what Bush has done on Director’s Cut. The album takes great swathes of The Red Shoes and choice cuts from its predecessor, 1989’s The Sensual World, and reworks them, sometimes with subtlety, and sometimes with daring …“

The News of the World give a four star review to the new album. “The first new album in six years by Florence And The Machine’s spiritual mum. Sort of – it’s new versions of her old songs. Which is a swizz, but there’s a playful adventurousness here that’s more imaginative than most brand-new music.” The Sun gives Director’s Cut 4 out of 5 and describes the album as “beautiful” in the review below. (with thanks to rblazon on the forum)

“…some truly remarkable performances here from one of the most intriguing and bountifully talented musical artists of our time.” Read Brian Boyd’s review here.

A tonne of reviews are in, and more to come today, no doubt. As fans in Ireland, Australia, Japan and many other European countries already have the album we’re starting to see the reviews coming in thick and fast. Alan Corr gives an online review for RTE: “Bush’s gone ahead and reworked other songs, bringing a singing voice of a lower key, something that comes with age, and the benefits of updated and improved production techniques to the party.” Will Hodgkinsin in The Times gives the album 3/5, raving about Flower of The Mountain, The Red Shoes and Lily, but concluding that the album is “interesting, but not easy to lose yourself in“

If you can tear yourself away from that NPR album stream, Alex Petridis gives a four star review to Director’s Cut in today’s Guardian. You can read it here. (Alex previously reviewed the Aerial album for the Guardian in 2005).