Rosa Mundi is a 2001 album by folk singer June Tabor. It is a concept album that represents Tabor's exploration of the rose as a symbol of love, of beauty and hope.[1] As a folk singer, Tabor’s primary sources are traditional[2] but it is her secondary source choices, ranging from Tchaikovsky to a Great War ballad via Robbie Burns and a version of a German traditional piano song "Es Ist ein Rose Ersprungen", that separate this album from being a generalist folk music album.[1][2] Tabor's singing is understated, reflecting her desire for the songs to be centre stage.[3]
| Rosa Mundi | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2001 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Label | Topic | |||
| Producer | John Ravenhall | |||
| June Tabor chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album was reviewed favourably by a number of British music critics. RootsWorld's Jim Foley described Rosa Mundi in positive terms. stating that close attention to their lyrics renders this pleasant experience moving[4] In The Guardian Robin Denselow praised Rosa Mundi,[3] and commented that Tabor's work demonstrated a commitment to the art of song with each song sung with Tabor's distinctive vocals. The article praised Tabor as amongst the finest of contemporary folk singers.[3] A separate RootsWorld review said that Rosa Mundi was outstanding and that Tabor was a contemporary singer of importance with an ability to express herself with clarity and beauty.[5] British folk music magazine fRoots reviewed the album at the time of release,[6] and had championed Tabor for over twenty years, republishing an interview with Tabor in the final issue in 2019.[7]
Track listing
edit- "Roses of Picardy" (words & music: Fred Weatherly)
- "Belle Rose" (traditional)
- "Deep in Love" (traditional)
- "O My Luve's Like a Red Red Rose" (words: Robert Burns/tune: traditional)
- "Rose in June" (traditional)
- "Paint Me, Redouté" (words: Les Barker / tune: Tabor & Emmerson)
- "Rhosyn Wyn / Winterrose aka Es Ist ein Rose Ersprungen" (trad 15th century German /arr. Tabor, Warren, Emerson, Bolton)
- "The Rose Is White, The Rose Is Red/ Dargason" (traditional) / tune: music in manuscript)
- "The Crown of Roses (Tchaikovsky's legend)" (words: Plechteev/ tune: Tchaikovsky/ arrangement: Tabor, Warren, Emerson, Bolton)
- "Barbry Ellen" (trad) (Child 84, Roud 54)
- "Maybe Then I'll Be a Rose" (words :Les Barker/ tune: Savourna Stevenson)
Personnel
edit- June Tabor – vocals
- Huw Warren – piano
- Mark Emerson – viola, violin
- Richard Bolton – cello
References
edit- ^ a b June Tabor - Rosa Mundi Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2023
- ^ a b "George Graham Reviews June Tabor's "Rosa Mundi"". georgegraham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Guardian Staff (21 September 2001). "Pop CD releases". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "June Tabor: Rosa Mundi / RootsWorld Recording Review". www.rootsworld.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ https://www.cdroots.com/gl-tabor-rosa.html RootsWorld Review of Rosa Mundi undated
- ^ Review of Rosa Mundi by June Tabor (Topic) fRoots magazine Issue 220
- ^ fRoots magazine: The Final Issue 2019, June Tabor on decorating in the bathroom by Ian Anderson, first published January 1980