30 from 17: #8. Quercus
Quercus reinterpret traditional folk songs as well as jazz standards
by Jay Lewis, Reviews Editor
first published: December, 2017
first published: December, 2017
Quercus reinterpret traditional folk songs
#8
Quercus
Nightfall
(ECM)
The audience at Wolverhampton’s intimate Arena Theatre falls silent.
Two thirds of Quercus (Pianist Huw Warren and Saxophonist Ian Ballamy) have exited the stage leaving June Tabor alone at the microphone. She mentions that the day (25 April 2015) marks the centenary of the start of the battle of Gallipoli and then proceeds to sing her acapella version of the haunting and harrowing 'And the band played Waltzing Matilda'. - a soldier's traumatic personal account of the battle. It is a tragic song that grows sadder with each verse. It’s a profound moment and I am wiping away tears.
A few songs later Quercus close their show with the melancholy, ‘All that I ask of you’, which speaks of how love lives on after we've physically ceased to be. I think there’s something in my eye again.
It's fair to say that I have never known of another singer who can interpret a song and deliver it in such a raw and affecting way as June Tabor. 'Nightfall' - the second album from the Quercus 'project' is full of such revelations.
Warren's gentle piano introduces opener 'Auld Lang Syne' and it's clear that this is not going to be a New Year singalong. Tabor, who knows that there are more verses than we realise, engages with the reflective heart of the song, Ballamy adds a sympathetic saxaphone.
Throughout Nightfall, Quercus reinterpret traditional folk songs as well as jazz standards, including a smouldering version of You Don't Know What Love Is that induces goose bumps.
Dylan's 'Don't think twice, it's alright' had been in Tabor and Warren's set for a long time and it's a delight to finally have a recorded version of it here. June's vocals follows the song as it moves from regret to rage to realisation. The final "I'm not saying you treaded me unkind/you just kind of wasted my precious time" is delivered with both remorse and bitterness. It is by far my favourite version of the song.
It's not just the unique blend of musical and vocal talents that make Quercus so special, it is also their choice of material and how they have decided to interpreted it that makes them so unique. I'm certain that I will be wiping away more tears the next time I see them perform live.
Jay Lewis
Reviews Editor
Jason Lewis is a Birmingham based music, movie and arts obsessive. Jason's encyclopedic knowledge of 80s/90s Arts films is a debt to his embedded status in the Triangle Arts Centre trenches back then.
about Jay Lewis »»
Quercus reinterpret traditional folk songs
OUTSIDELEFT Week in Music
view on youtube
OUTSIDELEFT SAYS... "SOMETHING MORE TO LOVE!"
TIMOTHY LONDON - SMITH 1
Timothy London's SMITH, an underworld indie thriller...
bookshelf version/electric version/audiobook
available now where you get your books »»
bookshelf version/electric version/audiobook
available now where you get your books »»
RECENT STORIES
Adventures in the archives
RANDOM READS
What Readers are Reading Right Now
- Release The Hawks
'The Greatest Album Never Made' is finally released - Speaking and Singing at the Same Time
Dry Cleaning didn't invent the chatty vocal style... - From Haiti to your Heart
Raphael Sagage is a master of abstract realism - Michael Alarcon: Morrissey is Dead
Outsideleft founder Michael Alarcon returns to talk about Morrisseys missed opportunity - More Than a Big Thief Now
symbol from Adrianne Lenker's abysskiss lp is a lovely languid dee-lite - Talking About Dan Breen
Joe Ambrose talks about talking about Dan Breen - The return of the ICEAGE
An atmospheric departure from the Iceage - Outsideleft at SXSW - Feature Film Reviews - Comedy
Lake on two SXSW comedy feature film premieres - I am 52 and the Armed is on the Bluetooth
The Armed are a radiant flower bursting through the sidewalk cracks, an expression of wild nature paved over by some forgotten elder clan - Monster Mash
Luke Skinner lays into new monster movie Monsters... Monsters Stink even.
All About and Contributors
HELP OUTSIDELEFT
Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]
WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT
If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]
WRITERS thru' the Years
Alan Devey, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, David Hackney, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, mindy strouse, Paul Hawkins, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Rick Casson, Ronan Crinion, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Tim London, Toon Traveller, and founders, Alarcon & LamontpaulOUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE
outsideleft content is not for everyone