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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZTABOR, June(b 31 Dec. '47, Warwick, England) Folksinger, infl. by trad. and revivalist acts such as Anne Briggs, Clancy Bros, Blairs of Blairgowie; hailed by people as diverse as Steve Winwood, Mike Oldfield, Elvis Costello. Sang sessions, etc; break came with Silly Sisters '76 on Chrysalis UK (Takoma, then Shanachie in USA), a collaboration with Maddy Prior and Prior's extramural project from Steeleye Span, with Martin Carthy, Nic Jones etc in backing group. Solo debut Airs And Graces on Topic same year made her reputation, partly for stunning singing and for Eric Bogle's 'The Band That Played Waltzing Matilda', later found in many repertoires. Guested on Peter Bellamy LP The Transports that year. Ashes And Diamonds '77 on Topic was later complemented by The John Peel Sessions on Strange Fruit, a radio broadcast from that year. She did not work full-time and her output was not prolific; A Cut Above '80 on Topic is an extremely successful collaboration with guitarist Martin Simpson (b 5 May '53, Scunthorpe); her finest hour was Abyssinians '83 on Topic/Shanachie, a formidable talent in both trad./contemporary material fully realized. Sang sessions with Bill Caddick, whose songwriting she championed, Andy Cronshaw, Flowers and Frolics, Ashley Hutchings; performed in Albion Band theatre projects The Passion '79, The Nativity '80, The Albion River Hymn '81; sang theme songs for TV programmes Spy Ship and Whale Music. Guested with Fairport Convention '87, sang solo 'Our Captain Cried' on Cronshaw's Till The Beast's Returning '88 on Topic. Some Other Time '89 on Hannibal was a surprise switch to a set of cabaret standards, arr. by pianist Huw Warren, backing incl. Danny Thompson, Mark Lockheart on sax, Bosco de Oliviera on drums, her voice on this material making us listen for new meaning in familiar songs. Aleyn '97 was recorded straight to tape with minimal production, mostly British songs but with a European cabaret feel, maybe her best yet. |