June Tabor

JUNE TABOR
A Short Biography Of

"One of Britain's most emotive voices - in a category of one" (Mojo)

Born in Warwick, educated at Oxford University, by profession first librarian, then restaurateur but always a singer of songs where words matter as much as music, June Tabor is renowned as an explorer of a song's soul and a performer of gripping commitment. Her recorded work over the last thirty years shows a diversity of inspirations. Highlights include the early simplicity of the largely traditional Airs and Graces (1976), more modern material in a minimalist setting on Abyssinians (1983) and Aqaba (1988), the richness and diversity of Angel Tiger (1992) and Aleyn (1997, recorded live), A Quiet Eye (1999) with the Creative Jazz Orchestra adding inspirational weight and colour, and Rosa Mundi (2001), a very personal celebration of the Rose. More lately An Echo of Hooves (2003), dedicated to the story-telling power of the traditional Ballad, was particularly well-received and brought June the 'Singer of the Year' award at the 2004 BBC Folk Awards. She was subsequently filmed in concert for BBC4 Sessions, produced by the same team that has presented her several times on BBC TV's 'Later with Jools Holland'. 2005 saw two stunning releases, both on Topic Records - the career-overview 4-CD boxed set Always, and a new mainstream album At the Wood's Heart (2005). Early 2006 heralded a promising new musical relationship with English saxophonist/composer Iain Ballamy in the trio Quercus (along with June's long-time accompanist, pianist Huw Warren). The year also brought her back together with the Renga Ensemble of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for a further performance of a song cycle 'Soldier, Sailor, Shepherd' derived from the work of the C20th collector/folklorist Ruth L. Tongue. Touring in 2006 brought Andy Cutting and Mark Emerson to the fore as an accompanying duo, leading to June's album Apples (March 2007) adding Tim Harries' double bass and creating a dynamic piece of work with a character new to June's recordings. It offers testament to a strength of purpose which continues to produce work of a standard acknowledged to be the highest in its field: June Tabor's journey in song continues.

"As I get older, Tabor says, I understand more the depths of sorrow and joy that made the song." (The Guardian)

Notable collaborations, in addition to that with the CJO, have been with Maddy Prior as Silly Sisters, with Oysterband on the roots-rock classic Freedom and Rain (1990), with harpist Savourna Stevenson and bassist Danny Thompson on Singing the Storm, and with various international artists over a long period for the Passchendaele peace concerts . The long-term musical partnerships, with guitarist Martin Simpson (first recorded on A Cut Above, 1980) , and subsequently with pianist Huw Warren, have each made a significant contribution to the development of a remarkable artist who continues to portray the world's glory and grief in exquisite and poignant style.

"June Tabor... is quite simply one of Britain's greatest interpreters of popular song. She is a performer with an extraordinary range and the ability to mix intensity, passion and drama with a chillingly lived in voice that makes every song sound like a personal experience" (The Guardian)

In live performance, expect to be enthralled by this dark-voiced storyteller whose broad repertoire sets the anonymous genius of folk poetry alongside work from both the celebrated and the unsung heroes of modern British writing; expect an interweaving of words and music that will create an atmosphere to haunt the memory.

"As a paragon of the virtues that folk music holds in its cultural armoury, June Tabor must surely rate as number one. Her repertoire has never been blinkered by a quest for authenticity: she has covered all territories from Weimar ballads via jazz to the most trad of trad English folk. And yet, the sense of scholarship that she brings to her work never lets you forget that you are listening to, perhaps, the greatest interpreter and curator of indigenous British music." (BBC)