Early Classics

Performer: Pentangle
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Pentangle: John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox. Personnel: Bert Jansch (vocals, guitar, banjo); John Renbourn (vocals, guitar); Jacqui McShee (vocals); Terry Cox (drums, percussion). Photographer: Brian Shuel. In the '60s, much of that decade's finest rock music grew out of the acoustic folk and blues scenes when many of the practitioners plugged in, joining electricity and amplification to shake the old forms and forge new ones. But there were a few who stayed "unplugged" long before it was fashionable, and Pentangle remains one of the best. This British fivesome combined traditional folk music of the British Isles, American acoustic blues (Delta or country blues, as it's usually known), and modern (post-1955) jazz, and the group did it with style, grace, and amazing instrumental skill. "Train Song" and "In Time" feature great Charles Mingus-style bass, beautifully picked acoustic guitar, and the contrasting vocal styles of Jacqui McShee (haunting, clear) and Burt Jansch (raw, plain, deep). "Hunting Song" takes you back centuries to the English countryside, and "House Carpenter" reflects how much of British, American, and even Indian (as this song features the sitar) folk musics have in common. A beautiful collection for folk fans in particular and open-minded music fans in general.

Vox (12/92, p.92) - 8 - Excellent - "..a 14-track fusion of jazz and folk roots that takes you there and back again.."

Along with Fairport Convention, Pentangle is one of the most important bands of the 1960s British folk revival. Drawing on a truly diverse array of sources, Pentangle developed a unique version of folk rock that was both traditional and progressive. The group formed when esteemed solo guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn combined their love of classic American blues and ancient English folk songs with the angelic vocals of Jacqui McShee and the jazz-influenced rhythm section of drummer Terry Cox and bassist Danny Thompson. After breaking up in 1972, they reformed several times with varying line-ups, the most well-known of which playing under the name Jacqui McShee's Pentangle.

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