Pentangle - Pentangling (2004/Sanctuary/ 3 CD)
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Artist: Pentangle
Album: Pentangling
Released: 2004
Sanctuary (SMETD129)
Genre: Folk Jazz
Sanctuary's mammoth triple-disc Pentangle overview poses a bit of a dilemma. First of all, it's called Pentangling, which is already the name of a 1973 compilation, and secondly, while not deliberately misleading, it focuses more attention on the solo careers of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch than it does on the entity that supplies the collection's title. Despite these petty gripes, Pentangling is filled to the brim with some of the finest recordings the British folk movement had to offer, and hearing the group as a whole, followed by an entire disc — one apiece — of two of the genre's most gifted guitarists, is rewarding in more ways than one: both men, as well as the band, released material well into the 21st century, but Pentangling focuses only on their treasured late-'60s/early-'70s output. Listeners looking for a more comprehensive take on Pentangle would be better off with Castle's excellent Light Flight: The Anthology, and Renbourn and Jansch both have lovingly packaged retrospectives that fare better than the ones offered here, but as far as entry points go, Pentangling does more than skim the surface.
Allmusic.
PENTANGLE was formed in 1967 by John Renbourn and Bert Jansch two guitarists who had both already recorded as solo artists since 1965. Both musicians had recorded together ‘Bert and John’ in 1966 for ‘Transatlantic’. Jacqui Mc Shee who joined the band on vocals had already worked with John Renbourn on his first solo record. The rhythm section was formed by Danny Thompson on double bass and Terry Cox on drums and percussion, both former sidemen of Alexis Korner in his band ALEXIS KORNER BLUES INCORPORATED.
PENTANGLE played a mixture of Jazz and Folk with Blues-elements, influences that the band integrated in their debut record ‘The Pentangle’ which was produced by Shel Talmy. The same year PENTANGLE released their second record ‘Sweet child’ a double LP consisting of live and studio tracks and containing among others two compositions by Charlie Mingus ’Haitian Fight Song’ and ‘Goodbye Pork Pie hat’. In 1969 they released their masterpiece ‘Basket of Light’ , a commercial success including the single ‘Light Flight’ which served as the theme song to the UK television series ‘Take three girls‘. PENTANGLE released three other records, ‘Cruel sister’ in 1970, ‘Reflection’ in 1971 and ‘Solomon’s seal’ in 1972, before breaking up in 1973. While Bert Jansch and John Renbourn continued as solo artists, the latter with singer Jacqui Mc Shee in the JOHN RENBOURN BAND, Danny Thompson and Terry Cox returned to session work. The original line up reformed in 1982 for a European and Australian tour. John Renbourn left before the release of the 1985 record ‘Open the door’ and was replaced by Mike Piggott. For the next ten years the band continued to record with changing outfits, ‘So Early in the Spring’ (1988), ‘Think of Tomorrow’ (1991), ‘One More Road’ (1991) and a live record in 1994 ‘Pentangle Live 1994’. In 1995 Jacqui Mc Shee recorded together with Gerry Conway, Spencer Cozens and guest musicians ‘About Thyme‘. This record was the starting point for JACQUI MC SHEE’S PENTANGLE a refreshed PENTANGLE that released ‘Passe Avant’ in 1989, the live record ‘At the Little Theatre’ in 2000 and ‘Feoffee’s Land’ in 2005.
The PENTANGLE records recorded between 1968 and 1972 are highly recommended.
Progarchives.
Track List:
Disc: 1
1. Travelling Song - Pentangle
2. Waltz - Pentangle
3. Pentangling - Pentangle
4. Hear My Call - Pentangle
5. Sweet Child - Pentangle
6. I Loved A Lass - Pentangle
7. In Your Mind - Pentangle
8. Moondog - Pentangle
9. Light Flight - Pentangle
10. Once I Had A Sweetheart - Pentangle
11. Sally Go Round The Roses - Pentangle
12. Cold Mountain - Pentangle
13. Lord Franklin - Pentangle
14. Cruel Sister - Pentangle
15. Reflection - Pentangle
16. So Clear - Pentangle
17. People On The Highway - Pentangle
Disc: 2
1. Judy - John Renbourn
2. Song - John Renbourn
3. Down On The Barge - John Renbourn
4. I Know My Babe - John Renbourn
5. Another Monday - John Renbourn
6. Lady Nothinge's Toy Puff - John Renbourn
7. Can't Keep From Crying - John Renbourn
8. One For William - John Renbourn
9. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Bert Jansch, John Renbourn
10. No Exit - Bert Jansch, John Renbourn
11. The Earle Of Salisbury - John Renbourn
12. Transfusion - John Renbourn
13. Forty-Eight - John Renbourn
14. My Sweet Potato - John Renbourn, Terry Cox
15. Sarabande - John Renbourn
16. The Lady And The Unicorn - John Renbourn
17. Medley - John Renbourn
18. White House Blues - John Renbourn
19. Shake Shake Mama - John Renbourn
20. Faro Annie - Pentangle
21. Back On The Road Again - John Renbourn
22. The Hermit - John Renbourn
Disc: 3
1. Strolling Down The Highway - Bert Jansch
2. Angie - Bert Jansch
3. Running From Home - Bert Jansch
4. Needle Of Death - Bert Jansch
5. It Don't Bother Me - Bert Jansch
6. Lucky Thirteen - Bert Jansch
7. Blackwaterslide - Bert Jansch
8. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Bert Jansch
9. Tic-Tocative - Bert Jansch, John Renbourn
10. Orlando - Bert Jansch, John Renbourn
11. Go Your Way My Love - Bert Jansch
12. Woe Is Love My Dear - Bert Jansch
13. Nicola - Bert Jansch
14. Life Depends On Love - Bert Jansch
15. Rabbit Run - Bert Jansch
16. Wishing Well - Bert Jansch
17. Poison - Bert Jansch
18. I Am Lonely - Bert Jansch
19. Bird Song - Bert Jansch
20. Tell Me What Is True Love - Bert Jansch
21. Rosemary Lane - Bert Jansch
22. Yarrow - Pentangle
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