Abyssinians

June Tabor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Shanachie
• ASIN: B000000E74
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #89 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > Celtic

Editorial Reviews

June's vocal artistry is vividly captured in this, her fourth album, from 1983. It opens with a song by Lal & Mike Waterson, The Month of January, closes with one by Joni Mitchell, The Fiddle & The Drum, and takes in on the way the African-American spiritual Lay This Body Down. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a Voice...., July 6, 2000

By 

S. GODFREY "Stuart" (Risca, South Wales) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Abyssinians (Audio CD)

...and what songs! Purity, directness and unflinching honesty are just some of the hallmarks of June Tabor's work, and for me this is one of her finest collections. No fancy arrangements, simple (almost stark) accompaniment or none at all, but with a voice such as hers, who needs it? "The Scarecrow", "She Moves Among Men" and "Lay This Body Down" are my personal favourites although there are no weak tracks here. "One Night as I Lay On My Bed" recalls Steeleye Span's early days and June's excellent work with Maddy Prior in Silly Sisters. I would recommend this album and "Against the Streams" as prime June Tabor...easy listening, however, it certainly is not. Be amazed at the vocal power & control, but be prepared for a harrowing time in the choice of subject matter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luminous and Haunting, February 27, 2010

By 

Thomas E. Davis (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Abyssinians (Audio CD)

There are very few voices in the world with the radiant clarity that June Tabor's voice possesses. This album is among her most compelling, simply because the spare instrumentation of the accompaniment allows her to shine. The dark lyrics produce a stark contrast to the beauty of of her singing, and the effect is unforgettable. This is traditional English music at its most powerful.

Don't stop with this CD, though. Do yourself a favor and look into her other solo albums, all of them uniformly excellent, and her varied collaborations with such folk stalwarts as Maddy Prior, Martin Carthy, Nic Jones, and Andy Irvine.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not to be listened to when you're feeling down, December 9, 2004

By 

R. Kyle (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Abyssinians (Audio CD)

Every Tabor CD has a song you probably should avoid if you're feeling a bit down. While her voice is dark and rich as pure chocolate--there is also that bitter edge and you can hear it here.