June Tabor & Oyster Band, Freedom & Rain, LP UK Cooking Vinyl Records 1990 - COOK 031

The meeting between Oyster and June Tabor is truly significant; her rather dark voice is in great harmony with the band's orientations, also demonstrated by the transgressive look of the cover photograph by an unknown author. In general, it must be said that the packaging is very stingy with notes (the lyrics are also missing). Among the performances, "Mississipi" (by Si Kahn) and an excellent interpretation of "All tomorrow's parties" by Lou Reed stand out. But the version of "Dark Eyed Sailor" is also beautiful.

Quello tra la Oyster e June Tabor è un incontro davvero significativo; la sua voce alquanto dark è in grande sintonia con gli orientamenti della band, testimoniati anche dal look trasgressivo della fotografia di copertina di autore ignoto. In generale va detto che la confezione è assai avara di note (mancano anche i testi). Tra le esecuzioni spiccano "Mississipi" (di Si Kahn) e un'ottima interpretazione di "All tomorrow's parties" di Lou Reed. Ma bellissima è anche la versione di "Dark Eyed Sailor".

Tracks Side A: Mississippi Summer (Si Khan) 3'18" - Lullaby Of London (Shane McGowan) 2'45" - Night Comes In (Richard Thompson) 4'54" - Valentine's Day Is Over (Billy Bragg) 3'26" - All Tomorrow's Parties (Lou Reed) 3'47" - Tracks Side B: Dives And Lazarus (Trad. Arr. Oyster Band) 4'18" - Dark Eyed Sailor (Trad. Arr. Oyster Band) 4'15" - Pain Or Paradise (John Tams) 3'13" - Susie Clelland (Trad. Arr. Oyster Band) 5'16" - Finisterre (Ian Telfer) 3'45"

Produced by: The Oyster Band- Recorded at: The Yard, Southall, London - Engineered & Mixed by: John Ravenhall - Mixed at: Gooseberry Studios, Brixton, London - Mixing Engineer: Trevor Hallasey - Sleeve Design by: Martin Brown at Rodeo - Photography by: Andy Cleal

Musicians: June Tabor, Vocals - Alan Prosser, Guitar, Mandolin, Psaltery, Vocals - Russell Lax, Drums, Percussion - Chopper, Bass Guitar, Cello - Ian Telfer, Fiddle, Viola, Concertina, Organ - John Jones, Melodeon, Accordion, Lead Vocals with Brass by "Metal Fatigue" - Gavin Sharp, Tenor Saxophone - John Hart, Brass Trombone - Neil Yates, Trumpet