An incredible 4 CD box set with rare and brilliant tracks by June Tabor...now you can get to savour some on the station. I was spoilt for choice. The video is from an appearance on Later with Jools from 2003.

“June Tabor is far more than a folk singer, she is quite simply one of Britain’s greatest interpreters of popular song with an extraordinary range and the ability to mix intensity, passion and drama.” [Robin Denselow, writing in The Guardian].

June Tabor’s remarkable career to date comprehensively chronicled in a gorgeous 4 CD box (6” x 12”) with many rare, live and previously unreleased recordings and a 48 page booklet with many historical photographs, a lengthy biographical essay with many quotations and observations from June herself and extensive notes on each song from June and others. Very careful attention has been paid to the re-mastering which has brought new life to the recordings.

“June Tabor is one of our day’s most commanding and distinctive voices and interpreters of traditional and contemporary song…the personification of the singer and the song.” Ken Hunt from the booklet to “Always”.

Throughout her long career, June has inspired acclaim from her large public following as well as from her fellow artists and critics. Elvis Costello even wrote a song especially for her, “All this Useless Beauty,” contained on “Always” in a new version. As an acknowledgement of her talents, she was awarded Singer of the Year in the 2004 BBC RADIO 2 FOLK WARDS. This new boxed set is the ultimate accolade, a truly fitting tribute to the great works of one of Britain’s greatest song interpreters.

4 CDs - Almost 5 hours of music. 67 tracks, of which 32 are previously unreleased, and many others are rare. The box includes a 48 page booklet. Carefully re-mastered for best possible sound. Compiled, researched and assembled by David Suff whose other works include Sandy Denny – 'A Boxful Of Treasures', and The Watersons – 'A Mighty River of Song'.

source: Topic Records

June Tabor - Hughie Graeme (2003):