RE: HOL

[Len Bullard <cbullard@hiwaay.net>]

Besides containing some of the most accessible works, 
and The Ninth Wave, (which, IMO, is her masterpiece), for 
the American listener, HOL is where many of us 
first encounter Kate Bush.  It got just enough 
attention despite the tawdry treatment of Running 
Up That Hill, that many of us took notice.  The 
NightFlight interview and the heavy airplay of 
CloudBusting on VH-1 did the trick.  Then there 
was the Max Headroom interview... a weird bit, but 
it made for a fun Saturday morning.  ("WHO IS THIS???")

American tastes lag the rest of the world in the 
avant-garde.  Somehow, HOL was happier, expressive, 
and more fun than anything else before or since at 
least for the American pop sensibilities.  

RUTH remains one of my favorites.  I don't think anything 
hit the mark quite so squarely until M'na ha Eireann.  
I bought The Whole Story video collection on a hunch 
and when I say the video for RUTH, well, that was 
the end of my looking the other way.  She combined 
what was sweetest and strongest in her voice and 
emotions with the beautiful figure and face, and a
a hook that set deep.  HOL is still the best kate bush.

len