June Tabor and the Oyster Band
Country of origin:
England
Type of music generally:
Folk/rock, sometimes of traditional material
Status:
Most recent release, Ragged Kingdom (2011)
See also:
Oyster Band does solo material; see The Ectophiles' Guide entry for June Tabor's solo work
Comparisons:
Richard and Linda Thompson
Covers/own material:
Covers and traditional
General comments:
Wow—what a great combo. Tabor gives the Oyster Band a soul and they give her a rocking background. It really is a match made in heaven. (Neile)
Comments about live performance:
Seeing them live was a stunning experience—a concert I remember years later. We still have the promotional oyster shell with a pearl in it that was placed on our table. June Tabor had never seemed so energized and the band was in magnificent form. I would love it if they would tour again! (Neile)
Recommended first album:
freedom and rain is brilliant throughout
Recordings:
- freedom and rain (1990)
- freedom and rain tour '91 sampler (1991)
- Ragged Kingdom (2011)
freedom and rain
Release info:
1990—Cooking Vinyl (U.K.); Rykodisc (U.S.)—RCD 10194
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Must have if you like folky rock
Group members:
June Tabor—vocals
Alan Prosser—guitar, mandolin, psaltery, vocals
Russell Lax—drums, percussion
Chopper—bass, cello
Ian Telfer—fiddle, viola, concertina, organ
John Jones—melodeon, accordion, vocals
Guest artists:
Metal Fatigue—brass:
Gavin Sharp—tenor sax
John Hart-brass trombone
Neil Yates—trumpet
Produced by:
The Oyster Band
Comments:
This is great stuff: covers of traditional songs and contemporary folk and rock. Includes songs by Richard Thompson, Billy Bragg, Lou Reed. Rocking, jumping folk and rock with power. June Tabor's stunning vocals and the Oyster Band's energetic musicianship. An album that we've played steadily the 10 years we've owned it. (Neile)
freedom and rain tour '91 sampler
Release info:
1991—Rykodisc (U.S.)—RCD PRO 9012
Availability:
Limited-release promotional disc
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended if you can find it
Group members:
June Tabor—vocals
Alan Prosser—guitar, mandolin, psaltery, vocals
Russell Lax—drums, percussion
Chopper—bass, cello
Ian Telfer—fiddle, viola, concertina, organ
John Jones—melodeon, accordion, vocals
Comments:
Has 3 songs from Freedom and Rain, 3 fine from The Oyster Band's solo album Little Rock to Leipzig and two from John Peel Sessions: remarkable covers of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower". Great stuff! The versions here (which they also played live in concert) are delightful, and worth tracking this disc down for. (Neile)
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