As always with a John Renbourne album, this is a set of heartfelt tracks, into which he has poured his heart and soul.
I was a little surprised listening to this. I am more familiar with his later work, largely instrumental albums that synthesise early baroque and English folk music such as `Ship of Fools'. I was expecting largely more of the same, but this early album finds Renbourne still trying to settle to a musical identity. There are elements of the folk and early music, but overlaid with Guthrie style protest songs and blues, with the odd sitar thrown in. What surprised me more were the vocals, Renbourne usually lets his guitar do the talking, I was not expecting to hear him sing. It's a good voice, well suited to the style of music, and he brings forth an emotional intensity that is quite captivating at times.
An excellent album, one I would recommend to all fans of the Guthrie/Dylan folk style.