June Tabor - Scarecrow (2004)

song: Lal Waterson
guitar: Martin Simpson
bass: Tim Harries

[@micksherlock4083]

Martin Simpson raises the bar for all accompanists... rarely takes his eyes off her. Dynamically the guitar and voice are completely complimentary.

[@stephenosullivan1350]

I can't think of anyone past or present in the folk genre who interprets songs better than the wonderful June Tabor... Her depth of feeling is extraordinary..

[@annalisa14]

June Tabor. DEEP. PROFOUND 💜💜💜💜🦋

[@janman55]

This is a brilliant lesson in understatement. I wish that more performers understood that sometimes less is more. One of most haunting songs I have ever heard.

[@TheIblis2u]

I love this woman so much!

[@johnpluck6126]

Absolutely one of a kind, very distinctive voice! As for Martin Simpson!!, probably one of the last of the English players from that golden period.

[@STEViEmando]

This is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. An' yes I know that Lal Waterson wrote it, I happen to much prefer this version. June Tabor has a most hauntin' voice. This rarely leaves me without a tear in my eye. Martin Simpson an' Tim Harries work on here is excellent.

[@noddyholder79]

Would bring a tear to a glass eye xx

[@williamgould2855]

nice one

[@drychaf]

I know that people who know of her respect June's work, but it's surprising how few people seem to know. A significant artist.

[@CulturedThugPoster]

that's because the people who hate you/us pump out high octane rap and other vile poisons to dull hearts and minds in the cradle so they grow stunted and malleable to thier desires.

[@haysfordays]

We are the few, the proud. Especially here in the US where she is pretty much unknown...

[@neacht]

Wonderful. Tabor and Simpson together - the best.

[@sumerisle]

totaly brilliant , this music never dies , it grows and flows through time.....forever

[@johnnyp49]

RIP Lal. Gorgeous.

[@lsdmadman]

beautiful,,thanky, this song has haunted me for decades

[@lsdmadman]

somehow more wonderful stark and moving than the studio version many decades ago...thanky bigtime

[@gothling1955]

Geez, I've LOVED this song for more years than I'd care to stop & count. How wonderful to finally see it performed live, with all due somberness & musical perfection. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@annalisa14]

It’s JUNE TABOR who we thank for giving this song 🪽 Wings

[@robertrighetti6478]

I discovered June Tabor many years ago and have a number of her recordings, however this is going to become my favorite. She just keeps getting better. There is an edge in her singing that makes her stand alone. Thank you so much for posting this! I will return to it frequently!

[@Cantrip1957]

Wish Id paid attention to this lady when I first heard of her. Years of enjoyment missed. Apart from the original this is the best. But wow, is she not a fantastic singer!

[@tsarenvy]

went to see her a couple of years back all stoned and on my lonesome brilliant she was she even did a couple of little jigs while the double bassist and fiddler played an instrumental brilliant she was

[@alex497]

Beautifully sung ..Lal is sorely missed ...

[@285209]

never known or heard anyone like her, but that is the beauty of art and performance, is it not??

[@Mllelaurel]

I admire her above all other singers.

[@veganvocalist4782]

Whooooah ! where have I been ? Iv'e never heard this beeeeautiful song bird sing before .... could hear a pin ....drop , those lyrics WOW

[@NikoHL]

Haven't heard of June Tabor? Legendary folk singer.. One of the very best..

[@dogend]

This is truly stunning. June's voice is amazing and I could listen to that beautiful guitar and bass all day long.

[@hoohargh9945]

Shivers... everytime 💜 for Sally, who shed her coil for finer things

[@lastrada52]

There are many great female vocalists out there but if you're looking to hear a true artist -- look to June Tabor. Spare instrumentation, no laser beams, no special effects and I find myself riveted to the voice and musicianship. She has been quoted as saying she never had voice lessons -- if this is true, she is an even more gifted artist. Her imperfections are shallow compared to many other singers. Takes guts to sing this naked.

[@lsdmadman]

appallingly loverly...Fiesty thinks June has an intense stage presence...beautiful

[@boojay111]

A wonderful voice and a wonderful trio

[@michaelclark5580]

Absolutely incredible! What a voice. With MS fab as usual - my only acoustic guitar hero thankfully still with us. And no one knows what it means!

[@BarryPennock]

One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and I never get sick of hearing it. Incredible!

[@edwardlacorte6357]

Gorgeously Haunting!!! ❤

[@RobertJohnM]

Hauntingly beautiful

[@ViaVetoTV]

She has such a beautiful voice and an even more beautiful soul.

[@gilliansims]

Wow I couldn't stop listening.

[@TheMrgaztop]

Beautiful. They should have got married andhad children. Imagine how talented the offspring would be. Class. Pure class.

[@ata1811]

Beyond wonderful!

[@spoombung]

Fantastic song and a great performance

[@thurstonhowellthetwelf3220]

Very lovely..

[@charliedehaven]

love June and Martin to bits. One day I'll post our version learned before we ever heard this version - even more spooky!

[@coade123]

Fantastic - one of my very favourite songs of all - dragged it out and was playing it last night - and thought, could it be on youtube?

[@Sleepysidney]

The best version of this song bar the original Waterson version. in fact this can hang in there with that version. Excellence!!!!

[@troygaspard6732]

She recorded this on her album Abyssinians, her version haunted mw for decades before I finally heard Mike Waterson's original Scarecrow.

[@suphiresa]

Seni keşfetmiş olnak ne güzel! What a lovely thing to explore you!

[@TheraminTrees]

@CityzenJane Hey, lovely to see you here. Amazing piece isn't it.

[@CityzenJane]

Love June Tabor

[@REALsandwitchlotter]

Beauty

[@nh6music]

Stunning!

[@Wild-Camping-Geordie]

Sublime ❤❤❤❤❤

[@lsdmadman]

dios mio...only my favorite vid on this shebang...thanky...

[@charlottewood9392]

Her delivery reminds me so much of how Francis Elder performs a song, meditative, slow, making every phrase meaningful. 10/10 to June but If he did this song ... that really would be something.

[@featherriver2080]

brilliant!

[@CityzenJane]

@TheraminTrees phenomenal - i love her, have for a long long time...

[@peterigan1897]

So beautiful.Reminds me autumn New England.

[@hottunasandwich]

deep spirituality of the lady

[@trzyzimy]

lal and mike waterson

[@remeclerk]

@rmwhee im from Reading! Live in the USA now, how is dear old Bracknell?, ( I used to go to the pubs there)..if you like June thougn, try madddy prior,and sandy denny..warms regards Steve St Louis Missouri USA!)

[@SlightlySusan]

That's Martin Simpson playing with her.

[@mintynovember8458]

This is nothing more than ok. A slick, processed version. Listen to the lal waterson 1971 demo version. Its the raw northern edge that makes this song work so beautifully. This version is not the best, it scratches the surface.

[@melindalemmon2149]

Verse 2 an obvious lynching, with brilliant though grisly image of the snapping up of the head, and it's removal by the force of the dropped weight. There is great sadness in the woman's view of man in verse one. She recognizes the weakness and mortality of her mate and man generally. Verse three drips with irony. She is disillusioned by the evil of men, and angry with herself at her predicament as willing mate to such a one.

[@woeizme]

I believe it’s more a vision of a pagan ritual infant sacrifice to assure a good harvest, somehow conjured by the sight of the scarecrow, but that’s the beauty of art requiring interpretation.

[@heyswampy]

I disagree also. I'm moved by this rendition every single time I hear it. Long live June!

[@lsdmadman]

i'm verklempt ...uh i gotta go

[@lyndakean9652]

Chords anyone x

[@JasonUmbrellabird]

@robibm2003 Have to disagree.

[@mrg8056]

Martin needs more ear rings

[@travisroth670]

National Anthem after Brexit!! hee-hee!

[@whalemoth]

the guitar is a little tidy for my taste

[@robibm2003]

Really flat interpretationwise. Even someone as great as June is has their off moments. Oh well.