Kate Bush - a tentative approach

There's just no way I can write about Kate Bush in a single post, it's too big a subject. So instead I'm going to work my way up to liontaming - via banking, for example! [That's a Monty Python quote - Dave Wildsmith, where are you, when I need you to validate my existence.]

OK, Kate was famous for inviting session musicians and others to contribute to her songs, with little creative direction.  They would produce a riff, or a chord sequence ... and then get asked to do it again.  And again.  And again.  Sometimes, all the work they did would never appear on the final track, although I believe they would be paid for their time.  I don't remember any particular barneys about that kind of thing.  And she would make tea for them and offer other refreshments;  waccy baccy is hinted at.   

So why am I focussing on this aspect?  Because it demonstrates her perfectionism, and why the elements of her songs go together so well.

For example, here is the video of 'King of the Mountain', from 'Aerial' (go out and buy that album NOW, I insist).  This is a great video, and a great song, with steady and accelerating build ..... and it's one of Kate's quirky song subjects.  I'm not sure, but I believe she is using one of her many Fairlight synthesisers to provide the strings and other basic tracks.  But what I want you to listen to, as you watch this, is the accompaniment.  The bass is perfect.  The drums are perfect.  And as for the rhythm guitar - what chops!  Just the right degree of attack and sustain.

Hey, I'm writing a music blog here.  I'm entitled to get nerdish.   

The section from 3:37 to 3:50 just transfixes me. 

And doesn't Kate look a charmful armful in this video?  [That's enough of that, me laddo - Editor]