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'An excellent biography of one of folk's cult figures ... Harper's narrative is first-rate at putting the man and his influence in perspective. It is especially evocative when describing the folk underground which burgeoned in the UK in the 1960s and early 1970s' Independent on Sunday 'A work of considerable importance ... intuitive and informed' Q Magazine 'The legendary musical outsider described as "a dextrous guitar player, footloose and fancy-free" shines like a rare, uncut diamond in this biography, which captures his rise as a musician in the British folk and blues scene of the 1960s, from the coffee houses of Soho to friendship with The Who's Pete Townshend ... Past glories make Dazzling Stranger a feast for anyone interested in Jansch or the 1960s' Scotsman 'This is a book that needed to be written, and for folk, blues, and beyond enthusiasts, one that's required reading' Glasgow Herald
Folk Roots
`Compulsive reading'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone who was witness to the British folk scene of the 60s and 70s will find this a fascinating book and a very enjoyable read. Anyone younger who loves the guitar as an instrument will be interested to read about the life of the almost mystical singer, songwriter and musician who was such an important influence on many more recent performers like Bernard Butler and Jonny Marr. The book is excellently researched and is clearly a labour of love which should inspire you to go out and listen to some of Bert's wonderful music.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The previous review is so comprehensive that I won't repeat the content of the book, but I wanted to confirm the pleasure of reading a well written book about an underrated and underexposed artist. I had not appreciated the extent of his influence both on peers in the "folk-boom" and on thousands of steel-strung acoustic guitar players since. If like me you are a fan of acoustic music and the sixties musicians you will find yourself digging out old albums from Paul Simon, Al Stewart, Donovan, Martin Carthy, Pentangle and Bert himself to experience his influence in a new light!
The book is full of fascinating cross-references to the other artists of the time, and is constantly engaging. Highly recommended.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a fine book that uncovers a rich history of the folk revival and much more. Great anecdotes and tales are recounted. The influence of the Communist Party is dealt with well although this could have been analysed in greater detail. The CP really had quite a reactionary position in relation to music at the time. Folk was good because it was represented horny handed sons of toil, the new developments in jazz and rock'n'roll, mod culture etc were viewed with deep suspicion. In certain cities the CP had enough influence to be able to mobilise significant numbers and surely one of the organisation's many low points on the artistic front was the encouragement of the barracking of Bob Dylan's 1966 electric tour. Harper charts their declining influence as the young turks of the acoustic revival eschewed categorization, embracing jazz, blues, improvisation and 'world' music. Davy Graham, Robin Williamson, John Renbourn and Jansch were not interested in having their searching creativity confined by sterile cardboard cutout dogma.
I've always been puzzled by the lack of the widespread appreciation of John Renbourn. I saw them both within weeks of each other at the East Dulwich Tavern in South East London in about 2000. Renbourn was astonishing - easily Bert's equal and as the book acknowledges the superior technician. I think Mojo did a 50 greatest guitarists a few years ago and Renbourn didn't even figure whilst Jansch was number 9 or thereabouts. Maybe his life is not so romantic - a bit like John Martyn struggling to be recognised to the same extent as Nick Drake.
The only disappointment was the lack of detailed track-by-track analysis of his key albums - in a book of such length surely this is justified given that ultimately its the music that the man's reputation stands or falls on. For instance there is no mention of Nottamun Town from the Jack Orion album - a stunning, terrifying, vocal performance from a man whose voice is not always easy to love. A song which later appeared on Fairport Convention's second album and so signposted the folk/folk revolution and was in all probability first encountered through Jansch's version.
I've always been puzzled by the lack of the widespread appreciation of John Renbourn. I saw them both within weeks of each other at the East Dulwich Tavern in South East London in about 2000. Renbourn was astonishing - easily Bert's equal and as the book acknowledges the superior technician. I think Mojo did a 50 greatest guitarists a few years ago and Renbourn didn't even figure whilst Jansch was number 9 or thereabouts. Maybe his life is not so romantic - a bit like John Martyn struggling to be recognised to the same extent as Nick Drake.
The only disappointment was the lack of detailed track-by-track analysis of his key albums - in a book of such length surely this is justified given that ultimately its the music that the man's reputation stands or falls on. For instance there is no mention of Nottamun Town from the Jack Orion album - a stunning, terrifying, vocal performance from a man whose voice is not always easy to love. A song which later appeared on Fairport Convention's second album and so signposted the folk/folk revolution and was in all probability first encountered through Jansch's version.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I'd forgotten about them! and him!
This is a pretty good read by any standards, but if you're into finding out about how things got to be the way they are
then it's even better. Read more
then it's even better. Read more
Published 9 months ago by 12stringdh
illuminating: bert in context
As a long-time admirer, I came away with a deeper appreciation of just how remarkable his style was and how influential he would prove to be. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Floyd Atheus
Jansch book review
I first saw Jansch at Les Cousins (maybe 1965) and later in Cambridge. I had friends in the "folk scene" at the time (Picadilly Line and Edwards Hand). Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by Mr. Rodger Jenkinson
Highly recommended - will have you relooking old albums...
Previous reviews are comprehensive so I won't repeat the content of the book, but I wanted to confirm the pleasure of reading a well written book about an underrated and... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2007 by RiffRaff
You didn't have to there (for a change) ...
Who needs a Tardis when you've got a writer who can so engagingly evoke a sense of time and place as Colin Harper does London at the birth of folk rock? Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2007 by Rob Brook
Dazzling Story
Anyone with an interest in the UK folk/acoustic scene in the 60s and later years should read this book. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2006 by G. COOPER
Dazzling performer
If you are into the British folk and blues scene of the early 60s, then this is the book for you. It vividly describes the burgeoning Edinburgh folk scene of the Scottish revival. Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2003 by Penguin Egg
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