Folk singer June Tabor shares her top five musical moments.
THE UGLY DUCKLING
Danny Kaye My musical upbringing was by radio, starting with Children's Favourites on a Saturday morning. Amid the trivia of songs like 'You're A Pink Toothbrush' and 'Pickin' A Chicken' were true classics o
f songwriting, arrangement and most importantly, storytelling. This Frank Loesser gem still moves me to tears.
I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Frank Sinatra For some reason, my mother did not like Sinatra, and being an impressionable child this prejudice was transferred to me. Happily I now know better. There is so much to learn from this consummate master of phrase, nuance and timing. Jule Styne famously remarked, "The others just sing the notes - Frank sings the words", and that's how I'd like to be remembered.
QUEEN AMONG THE HEATHER
Belle Stewart I didn't discover traditional music until I was 16 and it immediately spoke to me in a way no other music had done. I had already encountered the highly decorated Anglo-Irish singing of Anne Briggs, but Belle's singing was even more riveting: measured, stately, with the swoops and turns characteristic of the traveller style. A fine teacher indeed.
LA FIANCÉE DU TIMBALIER
Malicorne The extraordinary and unique voice of Gabriel Yacoub has been sending shivers down my spine for nearly 30 years. He is one of my three favourite singers of all time. The imaginative use of layered vocals and orchestration are Malicorne hallmarks, then add that voice.
CRAIGIE HILL
Dick Gaughan If ever there was a masterclass in singing and song accompaniment this is it, from the brooding introduction through each perfectly timed heartfelt verse to its magnificent conclusion. Every pause, every breath are as important as each word or note. In the handful of performances to which I turn for reassurance, hope and inspiration, this is number one.
June Tabor performs at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh (0131-668 2019), Friday, 8pm; Tolbooth, Stirling (01786 274 000), Saturday, 8pm
www.brightfieldproductions.co.uk/tabor.htm
The full article contains 338 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
