I'm not sure how you would justify this purchase to your partner but if you would like a life-size cutout of Katie in your life then Amazon is happy to oblige. It is undeniably a thing of beauty. What you do with her is entirely your business. They also have a two foot high mini cutout, but that would be just plain weird.

Ultimate Collection is a double CD scheduled for release on 5th October. Completists will want it in their collection but most fans will already have these tracks and could mimic this set with a playlist. The only track previously unreleased on CD is Diamonds Are Forever, though the album is worth buying for that track alone (see the video I linked to on August 11th).

Available for pre-order on Amazon

I came across this CD in a drawer yesterday. It was a freebie with the Mail on Sunday way back in 2005. It's interesting that Katie is pictured next to Eva Cassidy, and Katie's track on the CD is "Faraway Voice", her tribute to Eva. I wonder if whoever compiled the CD realised that!

We are all eagerly awaiting a new album from Katie, but what might we expect from it when it does arrive? One thing we do know is that Katie doesn't like to stand still. She is progressing along a musical journey. Each of her albums so far has been different, and I would expect the same from her next one. There are some patterns: we usually see a couple of covers and a couple of collaborations along with a handful of songs written by herself. I'm not sure she yet has the confidence in herself to release an album entirely of her own songs, much as that would be something I would dearly cherish. Nor do I see her releasing an album of covers, which is something she could do in her sleep.
Bear in mind she's an indie artist now, which probably necessitates a more stripped-back approach. I don't think we'll be seeing the orchestral arrangements of Secret Symphony again. But it will be interesting to see if she goes for a simple voice and guitar approach or gets the band into the studio to add keyboard, bass, and drums. I know many of her fans like her to play with a band. Personally, I prefer it when she sings alone with her guitar, as in Fields of Gold.
Then there's the Gori Women's Choir, who featured on In Winter. That was a very special collaboration and I imagine Katie would love to work with them again. Perhaps they will feature on one or two songs but I'd be surprised if they contributed as heavily as on In Winter. I'd be happy with a permanent move in that direction but I doubt if Katie would - I think she is too keen to explore new paths. That is one of the reasons why her albums always generate so much anticipation. You just don't know what you will get. All I know is I completely trust her and whatever direction she takes us I'll be following along and marvelling at the scenery.

Having fun with Polly Scattergood. They wrote 'Red Balloons' together.

Katie is in France at the moment. Does she ever go home?

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