The voice. Incredibly versatile, and expressive with a huge range. I remember when I first discovered that not everyone gets her voice. I pretend I understand, but I don't really.

The music. You've got the fusion of rock, prog, classical, folk, world, funk, jazz... She was a pioneer of the Fairlight, an early sampler, and plays a mean piano.

The lyrics. She has an extremely wide range of subjects in her repertoire; nuclear war, the aborigines, computer geekery, homosexuality in Iraq, literary references galore, and wicked sense of humour and she's extremely candid about sex and sexuality without being pornographic, and relationships in general. She can carry off a wide range of narrative voices convincingly.

The control. She took control of her career at an early stage and does what she wants, largely ignoring record company dictats. She produces everything herself.

She's a proper English eccentric in the best possible tradition... ...but it certainly doesn't hurt that she's a bit georgeous too.

but her music is unique and wonderful. The first album alone is worth her entry into the previously discussed pantheon of rock. The last album, "Aerial" continues to grow on me as well. I loved it when it came out, played it to death and then put it to one side as you do. A couple of the songs came up on shuffle last week so I made myself listen to the whole record again and it really stand up as a total record.

I've also had the pleasure of having a chat with her and I think not only is she lovely looking but she is a lovely person as well. Funny and interesting.

The photo made me think - who was the guy (Fred something?) who put out books in the late 70's who became obsessed with her. The books were all cheap cut and paste efforts with a punk rocky aesthetic. I think he did one on her. Book, I mean.

One of those records that continues to give and give, I have recommended it to a lot of mates who dont even like Kate Bush and after a few listens they too are "getting it". Like the works of Robert Wyatt, it does require a few listens, but once you are there the rewards are plentiful. I am still listening to Robert's "Cuckooland" Cd on a fairly regular basis and it still delivers everytime just as "Aerial" does. She's a lot better looking than Wyatt though!!

does it for me.

This one as well

She consistently released great albums and singles but so infrequently you played them to death. Rarely played live and kept herself to herself. More than can be said for Madge, Britney, Kyllie and the like.

in the company of The Hounds Of Love.
You should get her then.

What other reason can there be?

On Wogan - better than the video for the single.

...apparently leads a quiet domestic existence and appears disinclined to offer up her private life to journalists, or oblige the paparazzi by spilling out of metropolitan nightclubs drunk and in a state of half undress. Consequently interviews with her tend to err on the dull side.

She's one of those increasingly rare artists - one who communicates with the public almost exclusively through her music. I can well understand how her idiosyncratic style might divide opinion, but I don't think anyone can call into question her integrity.

Whilst being in total agreement with all of the positive comments above I was shocked and dismayed at the lyrical and melodic content of the end credits song of "The Golden Compass". "It sounds like but it can't be Kate" I thought, erroneously as it turns out. I comfort myself with the supposition that she was given seven minutes to write and record this piece of drek. Apparently Lyra's face is full of grace. Hoo boy!

There's a Glastonbury waiting for you.

for this I am a little clearer on the appeal of someone who makes the Blue Nile look like worker ants in terms of output. From what I hear the chances of Glastonbury gig are well the phrase when the Mud dries oup springs to mind.....

Kate Bush & Rowan Atkinson - Do Bears...?