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
Studio album by
Released2001
Studio
  • Great Linford Manor, Buckinghamshire, England
  • Red Bus Studios, London
GenreFolk
LabelTopic
ProducerJohn Ravenhall
June Tabor chronology
A Quiet Eye
(1999)
Rosa Mundi
(2001)
An Echo of Hooves
(2003)

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

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  1. "Roses of Picardy" (words & music: Fred Weatherly)
  2. "Belle Rose" (traditional)
  3. "Deep in Love" (traditional)
  4. "O My Luve's Like a Red Red Rose" (words: Robert Burns/tune: traditional)
  5. "Rose in June" (traditional)
  6. "Paint Me, Redouté" (words: Les Barker / tune: Tabor & Emmerson)
  7. "Rhosyn Wyn / Winterrose aka Es Ist ein Rose Ersprungen" (trad 15th century German /arr. Tabor, Warren, Emerson, Bolton)
  8. "The Rose Is White, The Rose Is Red/ Dargason" (traditional) / tune: music in manuscript)
  9. "The Crown of Roses (Tchaikovsky's legend)" (words: Plechteev/ tune: Tchaikovsky/ arrangement: Tabor, Warren, Emerson, Bolton)
  10. "Barbry Ellen" (trad) (Child 84, Roud 54)
  11. "Maybe Then I'll Be a Rose" (words :Les Barker/ tune: Savourna Stevenson)

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b June Tabor - Rosa Mundi Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2023
  2. ^ a b "George Graham Reviews June Tabor's "Rosa Mundi"". georgegraham.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Guardian Staff (21 September 2001). "Pop CD releases". the Guardian. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  4. ^ "June Tabor: Rosa Mundi / RootsWorld Recording Review". www.rootsworld.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. ^ https://www.cdroots.com/gl-tabor-rosa.html RootsWorld Review of Rosa Mundi undated
  6. ^ Review of Rosa Mundi by June Tabor (Topic) fRoots magazine Issue 220
  7. ^ fRoots magazine: The Final Issue 2019, June Tabor on decorating in the bathroom by Ian Anderson, first published January 1980