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Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been listening to folk-rock contempories of Pentangle for many years, the Trees being my favourite group of that scene, but I always steered clear of Pentangle because I was suspicious of the mixture of jazz with folk (jazz has always been somewhat on the peripheries of my musical tastes at best). I'd heard some of Bert Jansch's solo work and not really gotten into it, I had been more taken by my introduction to John Renbourn via The Nine Maidens, but wasn't in a hurry to hunt down more, and would have probably left it at that, had I not heard Pentangle's "Helping Hand" from Reflection, on a very nice acid-folk sampler. All of a sudden I had to hear more, and decided that this collection would be the ideal starting point.
Well, it turns out I'd been missing something very special and distinctive all these years. Pentangle were five alchemists, inventive, ground-breaking and talented. Certain songs on this set completely captivate me each time I hear them, and I discover something new with each listen. The precise and complex clatter and patter of the percussion is ingenius and sensitive to the nuances of the material, the intricate interplay of the two guitars is a real delight, the underpinning bass likewise, and there's some very fine singing.
Looking through the credits I see that most of the standout tracks for me are ones written by the group, "Light Flight", for instance, is an example of a song where I sit back as it closes and think I've just heard something that is completely flawless, a catchy, jazzy and clever piece of pop, full of invention. Other highlights include the gorgeous "Sweet Child", "I've Got A Feeling" and "Pentangling". A few years ago the more wayward jazzy tangents on say "Pentangling" or "Waltz" would have been a distinct turn-off, but now I'm all ears! Of the traditional songs, my two favourites are "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" and "Sovay" (which make for nice contrasting versions to Shelagh McDonald's and Martin Carthy's respective versions that I'm already familiar with). I find their renditions of the American folk songs to be less compelling than the British ones in general and am guilty of passing them by sometimes, though when I do listen to them there is much to like just in the intricate playing.
On a few particular songs I find I get completely wrapped up in the elegance on display, the crisp sound and jewel-like quality, as if they contain some extra ingredient lacking in most music. I find myself wishing I was there to witness their performance that became the first half of Sweet Child, though it happened before I was born. This anthology makes for a very satisfying introduction to Pentangle for me, I think it would have benefited from two or three selections from the final album of their classic era, Solomon's Seal, to make for a more complete document, but all the more reason for me to go and get me a copy of it too sometime!
Well, it turns out I'd been missing something very special and distinctive all these years. Pentangle were five alchemists, inventive, ground-breaking and talented. Certain songs on this set completely captivate me each time I hear them, and I discover something new with each listen. The precise and complex clatter and patter of the percussion is ingenius and sensitive to the nuances of the material, the intricate interplay of the two guitars is a real delight, the underpinning bass likewise, and there's some very fine singing.
Looking through the credits I see that most of the standout tracks for me are ones written by the group, "Light Flight", for instance, is an example of a song where I sit back as it closes and think I've just heard something that is completely flawless, a catchy, jazzy and clever piece of pop, full of invention. Other highlights include the gorgeous "Sweet Child", "I've Got A Feeling" and "Pentangling". A few years ago the more wayward jazzy tangents on say "Pentangling" or "Waltz" would have been a distinct turn-off, but now I'm all ears! Of the traditional songs, my two favourites are "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" and "Sovay" (which make for nice contrasting versions to Shelagh McDonald's and Martin Carthy's respective versions that I'm already familiar with). I find their renditions of the American folk songs to be less compelling than the British ones in general and am guilty of passing them by sometimes, though when I do listen to them there is much to like just in the intricate playing.
On a few particular songs I find I get completely wrapped up in the elegance on display, the crisp sound and jewel-like quality, as if they contain some extra ingredient lacking in most music. I find myself wishing I was there to witness their performance that became the first half of Sweet Child, though it happened before I was born. This anthology makes for a very satisfying introduction to Pentangle for me, I think it would have benefited from two or three selections from the final album of their classic era, Solomon's Seal, to make for a more complete document, but all the more reason for me to go and get me a copy of it too sometime!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I saw Bert Jansch live last year and thought I really ought to check Pentangle out. This is a great compilation for someone new to the band. Unlike Fairport who were a bit "west coast pop" in a folky way, Pentangle were a very "jazzy" folk band. You can hear it in the arrangements and the guitar solos. Jacqui McShee also has a lovely voice.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I vaguely remembered Pentangle from the days of my youth but had never really been "into" that particular sound at the time and so it really rather passed me by. Forty years later following the death of Bert Jansch, I saw this anthology on Amazon and had a listen to the samples. Intrigued I took a chance, parted with some cash and was not disappointed. Not a bad track anywhere - it's an eclectic mix of beautifully played and sung folky, bluesy, jazzy and timeless music. Sometimes the past is best left in the box but my only regret is not getting into this back in the '60s.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pentangle in a basket
British folk groups always worked better with girl singers and Pentangle were no exception.The girl here is the only original member left for what is called today Jackie McShee's... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Richard
Night Flight
A good selection of tracks. Some I knew some I didn't. Really good stuff and such a mix of gendre.
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by E. Carruthers
An album from the past...
I loved Pentangle when I was much younger - so bought this to relive my youth. Maybe I've grown up too much - it was not as good as I remembered. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by M. P. Jennings
I listened to one song, all day.
I met an old girlfriend after a five year gap,we had completely forgotten each other, yet within ten seconds she told me she had a partner, even though the old magic was there, we... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2008 by E. Coolican
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