Search - June Tabor :: Rosa Mundi

A Return to Form for the Grande Dame of English Folk Music

Michael J. Shogi | Reminderville, Ohio USA | 08/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Rose Mundi" is a return to form for June Tabor, after the disappointing "A Quiet Eye". Part of the reason for this lies in the fact that, with "Rose Mundi", June does more of what she does best: Sing traditional English Folk ballads. No one in the world (NO ONE) can match the expressiveness of her rich baritone. No one puts as much emotion into these types of songs as June. A case in point is the pauses and accents she inserts in "Maybe Then I'll Be a Rose", which beautifully convey the feeling of love's longing. I believe that another reason for June's return to form is the fact that the format of this disc as June's first "concept" record challenged her to greater heights. Finally, June's band is outstanding. As on previous efforts, Huw Warren should receive a medal for his work on piano. One listen to the delicateness of his introduction to "Paint Me, Redoute" will soften the hardest of hearts. Listen to Rose Mundi and experience perhaps the greatest English Folk balladeer ever at the peak of her powers."

Outstanding! - As Always

Thomas H. Moody | Nobleboro, ME United States | 01/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"June Tabor is one of my favorite singers. Her skills as a vocalist and interpreter are unique and without peer. The range of selections on this recording is proof (that is if one needs proof) that Tabor is in a league of her own when it comes to communicating through song. This work is a subtler piece than some of her previous efforts, but then a rose is a subtle affair. While other albums have had strong political/social moments (i.e. her version of Richard Thompson's "Pavane"), "Rosa Mundi" is more about romance and the goodness and sadness of it. However she does make a clever statement about the male chauvinism of the old song "Babary Ellen" with the final song "Maybe Then I'll Be A Rose". So grab this CD and treat yourself to some outstanding singing and musicianship. I feel very blessed to have June Tabor's voice, vision and art as a part of my musical life."

Sharing two passions with her listeners

R. Kyle | USA | 12/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Singing and gardening are Tabor's two lifelong passions. If I were to compare her voice to a rose, I would have to call it Jackson and Perkin's "Voluptuous." The color is rich and strong and it's the old tea-rose you have grown up with at its finest. However, the background playing is almost black and white. Pianist Huw Warren is a genius at finding just the right place to punctuate Tabor's 'peaty' contralto and make the song bloom rich in your heart.



This album returns to Tabor's traditional roots. "Rose of Picardy" a popular WWI song about everlasting love is the newest of the songs. A notable cover is her "Barbry Allen." Tabor's interpretation highlights Barbry's emotions in a way that no man's version could.



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