KATE Rusby is a folk traditionalist but her 14th studio album, released this week, represents a giant leap for Rusbykind.

The familiar Rusby gig tropes of a mug in hand, amusing Yorkshire stories and an occasional quiet cough between songs, and a dazzling set of reels for "the boys" in the second half, were still in place, but last Saturday's gig at Leeds Town Hall also was the first Yorkshire chance to hear the new Rusby songs and expanded sound.

It now features a Moog, a haunting analogue synthesiser whose arrival was announced with great ceremony and certainly added new textures. Not since the loss of John McCusker's fiddle and whistle has Kate's nightingale voice had such a rich array of accompaniments.

There was a new addition to the line-up too, Steve Byrnes joining the Rusby band on bouzouki, tenor guitar and guitar, to complement Nick Cooke's accordion, Duncan Lyall's double bass and Damien O'Kane's guitars and banjo.

Highlights were plentiful from the well represented new record, especially Hunter Moon, I'll Be Wise, Only Desire What You Have and the title track, written in response to the migrant crisis, while Cruel was the stand-out among the older Rusby works.

Kate's default position may be sad and melancholic songs, but what's this? Kate and her band all wearing blue capes for the encore? Yes indeed as she introduced her new Yorkshire Tea-drinking superhero from Barnsley, Big Brave Bill. A super finish from a Yorkshire hero in her own right.

Win the CD

Courtesy of Kate Rusby and Pure Records, The Press has five signed CD copies of Kate's new album, Life In A Paper Boat, to be won.

Question: Kate Rusby has been made a Freeman of which Yorkshire town this summer?

Send your answer, with your name and address, either on a postcard to Charles Hutchinson, Rusby Competition, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, or by emailing charles.hutchinson@nqyne.co.uk, by next Friday. Usual competition rules apply.