In The Round

Performer: Pentangle
Artist: Terry Cox; Bert Jansch; Mike Piggot; Nigel Portman Smith
Distributor: MSI Music Distribution

Notes: This 1986 album by the reformed Pentangle (minus John Renbourne and Danny Thompson) features a singular, folk-pop approach that alienated some sentimental fans of the original line-up. The band's old medieval modalities ("Suil Agrar ") and intricate acoustic picking ("The Saturday Movie") are given a polite nod, but the recording emphasizes electric guitars, assertive pop rhythms, and new bass player Nigel Portman Smith's flowing fretless bass. The new direction feels inspired, and the melodies are some of the strongest of the band's career. The instantly catchy "Come to Me Baby" should have been a hit, and Jaqui McShee's gorgeous and protean vocals show no sign of wear.

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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