Light Flight: The Anthology

Performer: Pentangle
Producer: Steve Hammonds (Compilation)
Distributor: Navarre

Notes: Pentangle: Jacquie McShee (vocals); Bert Jansch, John Renbourn (guitar); Danny Thompson (bass); Terry Cox (percussion). Recorded between 1968 & 1971. Includes liner notes by Laurence Aston. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Although the original incarnation of Pentangle was together for only about five years, the revered British folk-rock band recorded an ample amount of material. This 2002 compilation cherry-picks 31 tracks from the ensemble's peak years of 1968-'71, resulting in a well-selected two-disc set. For many folk fans, the initial appeal of Pentangle is hearing virtuoso guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn perform together in a group context, and though their eclectic, often blues-tinged work is undeniably stunning (see their intricate six-string playing on Charles Mingus's "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"), the duo is ably matched by the rest of the group. While Jacqui McShee lends her coolly beautiful voice to many of the band's songs, Pentangle's secret weapon is the rhythm section of bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox, who step far outside the boundaries of folk, inventively pulling in jazz and rock rhythms to both anchor and propel the quintet's sound. Though many Pentangle collections have cluttered the market, LIGHT FLIGHT: THE ANTHOLOGY is arguably the finest available, since it provides an excellent overview for aficionados and an ideal introduction for newcomers.

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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