June Tabor And The Oysterband

Just as it's been twenty one years between "Freedom And Rain" and "Ragged Kingdom" it's been twenty one years since June Tabor has been out on tour with the Oysterband and yet here at City Hall in Salisbury, it doesn't seem anything like that long. Yes sure we're all a bit longer in the tooth and some of the audience weren't born when the first album was released, but the years seemed to fall away.

June Tabor And The Oysterband were playing two sets, interweaving songs from both albums and neither albums into both halves of the show. I don't know why, but I was expecting the Oysterband to open up the show and have Tabor join them after a song or two, as it was the opposite happened, the Oysterband musicians were on stage along with June Tabor, the Oysters vocalist John Jones missing.

Instantly you got to appreciate why June Tabor has been recognised as one of Britain's greatest folk singers has produced. She gets so much expression into her songs, you can feel the passion, the anger, the indignation. When she sings a murder ballad or an unrequited love song you really care.

Naturally it doesn't take long for Jones to join them on stage strapping on his trademark squeezebox before sharing the vocal duties both with and alongside Ms Tabor, ahh this is how I remember it all as it comes flooding back, June Tabor And The Oysterband seeming as naturally together as horses and carriages, apple crumble and custard, a classic combination.

For a band that doesn't have a lot of movement onstage they still dominate it. John Jones and Chopper seem to cover the most ground, whilst fiddle player Ian Telfer pretty much stays on his riser tucked away at the back, in contrast to how upfront his playing is in the songs. Jones has a fascinating stage presence, his sunglass laden eyes and mannerisms providing a contrast to what feels like a natural flow elsewhere. June is either at the microphone or taking a break off stage when the Oysterband are taking the floor, it also provides opportunities to really emphasise the way they have constructed both sets.

Both albums are featured extensively and without a duff track on the albums, consequently every song delivered from the stage is a classic and with so many favourites to be included, I'm sure no one missed out. Naturally, as with all gigs, there were songs that you were hoping to hear, for me there were four I was really looking forward to, "Mississippi Summer", "Bonnie Susie Clellend", "Son Davey" and "Divas And Lazarus" I got the first three, which ain't a bad ratio.

Both albums have been released when the country has been involved in conflicts and economic difficulties, something that was reflected in the between song banter with some good digs at greed. What did really good in that banter was June Tabor's impassioned acknowledgement of the role the Gypsies have played in keeping much English folk song alive and the faith that has inspired many of those songs.

June is a lover of individualism within the community, being different whilst being part of something bigger, it's a love that is matched within the Oysterband and which manifests its self in the songs they choose to cover in combination, songs from writers with an off the wall mentality, Ian Curtis and PJ Harvey being to good examples.

It's how they then arrange the songs that give them a really special feel and a real sense of ownership. Coming at you in a live environment makes them more special still and I doubt there were many that walked away, after the second encore, that would forget this night at Salisbury City Hall in a hurry.

For those that had a bit of time to dwell, June and the Oysterband came front of house to mingle and sign cds etc. A really good night for all.

Neil King