- Audio CD (21 July 2009)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Drag City
- ASIN: B002F3BQRG
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Daybreak |
| 2. One to a Hundred |
| 3. Pretty Saro |
| 4. Doctor, Doctor |
| 5. 3 A.M. |
| 6. Curragh of Kildare |
| 7. Instrumentally Irish |
| 8. St. Fiacre |
| 9. If You See My Love |
| 10. Looking for a Home |
| 11. Poor Mouth |
| 12. Cat and Mouse |
| 13. Three Chord Trick |
| 14. Lost Love |
| 15. Three Dreamers [*] |
| 16. Dragonfly [*] |
| 17. Candyman [*] |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Back in the late seventies I had the Danish variation of this album called "Poor Mouth". After I sold my LP's ten years later i expected a reissue on CD, but to no avail. Now after more than 30 years, Bert's Charisma albums are finally being reissued. I could not wait to get hold on "LA Turnaround", an album I sincerely missed. I bought the other two Charisma albums of course, and to my supprise I found "A Rare Conundrum" on par with "LA Turnaround". It is a very stripped down affair and reminds me a lot of Berts albums from the sixties. Rod Clements from Lindisfarne is the producer and he also contributes fine bass playing all over the album. The sound is crisp and Berts voice and playing is relaxed and brilliant. There is no need to select the best tunes, since they're all very good. This was the last masterpiece before the release of "When the Circus Comes To Town" some eighteen years later!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Where do I start with an album like this, a classic yes, good songs yes, great instrumental playing most definitely and a lovely relaxed feel throughout, these words would sum up the album A Rare Conundrum from Bert Jansch. When I first bought the vinyl version on it's original release in 1977, I was immediately struck by the good production values, which provded good clear sound and separation of all the instruments and vocals found here, this new remasterd CD improves all this and still maintains a warm feel to the music. The musical arrangements are simple and Bert is in fine form, whether he is playing guitar or banjo, as on the song Doctor, Doctor. There is also some lovely violin playing on Daybreak and other songs from Mike Piggott with Rod Clements(ex-Lindisfarne), playing bass, guitar or mandolin,while Ralph Mctell (harmonica) appears on 2 tracks. The subject matter of songs varies from death in 1 to a 100, folk clubs as in Daybreak and 3 Chord Trick, American folk song in Pretty Saro and Doctor, Doctor, Irish folk song in The Curragh of Kildare and Poor Mouth and instrumentals like Instrumentaly Irish and St.Fiacre. This CD also includes 3 bonus tracks, of which 3 Dreamers is a great song, while Bert offers an interesting reggae version of the old Gay Davis blues number Candyman. Throughout this album Bert's playing is fluent and smooth and his vocals are as good as they get, there does seem to a joy about the music that suggests how much he must have enjoyed making it. As for favourite songs, too many really, so my advise is take the album as a whole. If you want to hear Bert Jansch's songs, folk song interpretations or simply his lovely guitar playing at it's best, then this is a really good album to start with.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is perhaps surprising that I have only recently started listening to Bert Jansch's solo work. I have long been a devotee of Pentangle and John Renbourne, as well as artists such as Dylan, Fairport Convention and the like. But up until now I have never really dipped my toe into the world of Jansch. And now that I have I regret that I have spent so long without this sublime music in my life.
I recently listened to the great `Romsemary Lane', and decided to try this album next based on the highly scientific principle that I love the title and cover art. Anyone who uses one of my favourite Escher drawings as the basis for a cover is bound to get my attention. A Rare Conundrum is a traditionalish folky album, released in 1977 at the end of his tenure with the Charisma label. It is produced by Lindisfarne alumni Rod Clemens, who contributes some bass and guitar. The drummer is Pick Withers, who a year later would shoot to fame as the drummer with Dire Straits. Stylistically it is rooted in folk, but as with so many of the artists of the time Jansch uses a much wider musical palette, introducing elements of jazz, blues and a tinge of rock. There are also large elements of country to be found here with some delicious banjo work. It has moved on quite a way from the bluesier albums of his earlyier career, and the more folky material of the Rosemary Lane years, though it still retains huge elements of both. It shows an artist growing, assimilating new styles, but not changing direction or forgetting his past.
Jansch is lauded as a master technician on the guitar, and he really shows why here. Playing with a depth of skill that is breathtaking, he delivers vivid emotional imagery just with a few plucks of a guitar string. But at the same time he is singing, and the melding of voice and guitar, the balance between the two is just perfect. He delivers ballads and love songs with real grace and clarity.
This is what music should be. It enters the soul and lodges there, driving feelings and emotions and evoking real passion. I just love this record and am looking forward to hearing more from Jansch's back catalogue.
I recently listened to the great `Romsemary Lane', and decided to try this album next based on the highly scientific principle that I love the title and cover art. Anyone who uses one of my favourite Escher drawings as the basis for a cover is bound to get my attention. A Rare Conundrum is a traditionalish folky album, released in 1977 at the end of his tenure with the Charisma label. It is produced by Lindisfarne alumni Rod Clemens, who contributes some bass and guitar. The drummer is Pick Withers, who a year later would shoot to fame as the drummer with Dire Straits. Stylistically it is rooted in folk, but as with so many of the artists of the time Jansch uses a much wider musical palette, introducing elements of jazz, blues and a tinge of rock. There are also large elements of country to be found here with some delicious banjo work. It has moved on quite a way from the bluesier albums of his earlyier career, and the more folky material of the Rosemary Lane years, though it still retains huge elements of both. It shows an artist growing, assimilating new styles, but not changing direction or forgetting his past.
Jansch is lauded as a master technician on the guitar, and he really shows why here. Playing with a depth of skill that is breathtaking, he delivers vivid emotional imagery just with a few plucks of a guitar string. But at the same time he is singing, and the melding of voice and guitar, the balance between the two is just perfect. He delivers ballads and love songs with real grace and clarity.
This is what music should be. It enters the soul and lodges there, driving feelings and emotions and evoking real passion. I just love this record and am looking forward to hearing more from Jansch's back catalogue.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Jansch at his best
Absolutely my favourite album from the late and eternally great Bert Jansch. A great selection of songs together with the guitar and banjo virtuosity that made Bert so... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Hampshire Rose
Bert at his best
Having had this album on vinyl since the mid seventies i can only say the cd version is superb.A great mix of berts own songs and great arrangements of traditional songs. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by Michael Swinson
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