1992's ANGEL TIGER is one of the most unusual and wonderful albums of June Tabor's entire career. Most of her earlier albums had featured simple acoustic, usually drummerless, arrangements entirely within the idiom of British folk music. ANGEL TIGER, on the other hand, tries something that, for Tabor, was entirely new. Lacking not only drums but also guitar, these arrangements feature Tabor's stunning, clarion voice backed with a pianist, accordionist, clarinetist, violin/viola player and most notably, a saxophonist whose delicate embellishments on tenor and soprano sax mesh perfectly with Tabor's clear alto. The songs are an equally intriguing lot, featuring the original and definitive recording of Elvis Costello's "All This Useless Beauty" and sterling covers of Billy Bragg's "Rumours of War" and the Oyster Band's "The Doctor Calls." An exceptional work, although hardcore folk purists might balk somewhat at the unorthodox, though lovely, arrangements.
