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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
96 of 96 people found the following review helpful
By Audun Myskja
Format:Audio CD
I confess my bias: Pentangle struck right into my DNA and blew it open like no other music when their first album reached my 14-year old ears in 1967. I could never quite decide whether "1st" or "Sweet child" was the greatest, but had to concede that they gradually lost freshness, vitality and uniqueness on later albums before their phase petered out. This reissue solves my dilemma: The greatest songs and instrumentals from "1st", witness "Let no man steal your thyme", "Bells" and "Waltz", are all included in generous bonus sections, as live versions with even more looseness and drive than on the studio versions. Much has been written about the Renbourn-Jansch interplay. I will not add to it, suffice it to say that 35 years on it sounds fresher than ever, each note leaving the eager anticipation - what comes next? Jacqui McShee was at this point more an instrument than a voice, to incomparable effect, before she later mysteriously changed into an average folksinger, losing the strange objectivity her voice carries on these early tracks.This concert makes it clear that their rhythm section played a both larger and more important part in the group than they are often given credit for. Danny Thompson is a giant in his own right, but these tracks also bring Terry Cox`s melodic and creative drive to the fore, bringing forth the question of whether his relegation to ordinary backing folk-rock drummer may have been one factor in the strain of listlessness that crept into their playing on later albums. No one can accuse the material presented here of listlessness: A quiet intensity simmers and shimmers around and above the whole presentation, leaving each new musical turn meaningful. Folk, blues, jazz, early classical - a radical amalgam of styles and influences that never feels contrived, overacademic or unnatural. This music shines like an unpolished precious stone, and I can only kick myself at not having been present at the 1968 concert that most of the pieces are taken from. I understand that amazon.com does not offer 6 stars, but why not a rosette for records of special merit, like "Penguin guide to classical music". In the present inflation of 5-star reviews on the website, I am aching to give my first rosette after many reviews - to this record.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By czgibson
Format:Audio CD
This could be Pentangle's best album - 'Basket of Light' is the only other contender, but this one has much more material on it.
The first disc was recorded live in 1968 and the second is from the studio. The live show is great, with a mix of folk standards, originals and instrumentals showing great dexterity and skill from all involved. Bert Jansch and John Renbourn's version of Mingus' 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' is a standout instrumental tune - very relaxing and melodic. The studio set is a strong album in its own right, with highlights (for me) being the guitar duel of 'In Time', the morality tale 'Sovay' and the grooving 'I've Got A Feeling', which borrows the chord sequence from Miles Davis' 'All Blues'.
This expanded edition is a treat, fleshing out the concert to give what I believe is the complete show (minus tune-ups) plus a few alternate versions of the studio songs.
All in all, a monster package that should delight fans of the group as well as fans of acoustic music in general.
The first disc was recorded live in 1968 and the second is from the studio. The live show is great, with a mix of folk standards, originals and instrumentals showing great dexterity and skill from all involved. Bert Jansch and John Renbourn's version of Mingus' 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' is a standout instrumental tune - very relaxing and melodic. The studio set is a strong album in its own right, with highlights (for me) being the guitar duel of 'In Time', the morality tale 'Sovay' and the grooving 'I've Got A Feeling', which borrows the chord sequence from Miles Davis' 'All Blues'.
This expanded edition is a treat, fleshing out the concert to give what I believe is the complete show (minus tune-ups) plus a few alternate versions of the studio songs.
All in all, a monster package that should delight fans of the group as well as fans of acoustic music in general.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By M. Walton
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first came upon Pentangle in the late 60's at the Troubador in London while I was studying. I bought the vinyl of this in about '74, and treasured it.
Although it now sounds a little dated ( musically not sonically), it is hard to criticise the beautiful voice of Jacqui McShee, and the guitars of Jansch and Renbourn.
This disc also has mix of chroologies with new versions of some old traditional tracks. I am thinking particularly of "The trees they do grow high" I have always preferred their versions of the more traditional songs, even if modernised. I admit to not being a fan of Jansch's songwriting ability
For me this will always be the 'classic' album.
Although it now sounds a little dated ( musically not sonically), it is hard to criticise the beautiful voice of Jacqui McShee, and the guitars of Jansch and Renbourn.
This disc also has mix of chroologies with new versions of some old traditional tracks. I am thinking particularly of "The trees they do grow high" I have always preferred their versions of the more traditional songs, even if modernised. I admit to not being a fan of Jansch's songwriting ability
For me this will always be the 'classic' album.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
Great album from Pentangle with a live concert and studio tracks plus some bonus tracks too. Peerless playing, great recording. What are you waiting for? Go and buy it.
Published 1 month ago by kevin marston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must have album for any discerning real music-lover
Two albums in one - live plus studio. The live album has a more instrumental focus, and is perhaps more laid back. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Antony Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pentangle at the RFH - back in the day
This 2008 release is a beefed-up 40th anniversary offering of Penangle's November 1968 album, which featured a lot of live-on-stage material from the Royal Festival Hall concert on... Read more
Published 11 months ago by The Guardian
5.0 out of 5 stars
I missed this first time round
I became interested in The Pentangle after hearing one their songs played on Radio 2's `Sounds of the Sixties'. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. David Poulter
3.0 out of 5 stars
pentangle does jazz
I saw Pentangle live in the mid-90s; but on the evidence of the first disc here, they were never a barnstorming act even at their peak. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2010 by gille liath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
Complex. Simple. Pure. Breathtaking and deeply satisfying. Surely one of the best, if not the best, example of a live recording by the very best acoustic musicians combining... Read more
Published on 25 April 2010 by Grehan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Timeless Gem
I have known this album since I was a child, but have only just replaced it with the CD. The running order is the same with a number of bonus tracks (either live tracks omitted... Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by Ricolas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet child by Pentangle
Great CD, great delivery service (it arrived well packaged and within normal time limits)-no complaints at all!
Published on 3 Feb 2009 by Mr. S. M. Blandford
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