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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan of Bert Jansch for around 12 or 13 years now, after discovering him very suddenly when given a spare ticket and an invite to one of his live shows in the North of England - I'd heard the name but never the music, and it was a bit of revelation!
Jansch has a style all his own - his guitar work is broken and nevertheless full, full of dazzling runs, hammers and chiming stops (as a semi-professional Jazz guitarist I can assure you of his tremendous skill!). His harmonies and resolutions are unique, and his voice is better described as beautiful than pretty - the fact that he makes it work is testament to his great musical powers!
This album marks a step further into the country influences that have appeared more and more in his work over the years - there is some great slide guitar and some lovely "pickin'" here, and although it doesn't always quite work, this is a soulful and sad album that still leaves you with a great faith in life and love. The lyrics are not always profound, but they are genuine without fail, and always pure Jansch.
The collaboration with Beth Orton is a little disappointing at times - the vocal harmonies they produce together are great, and Beth's voice suits much of the material, but at times it all feels a little too amateur - "Watch the Stars" is a very weak track, and it feels like they only included it because they wanted to sing together, not because it's a worthy inclusion. On the other hand "When The Sun Comes Up" shows Orton at her best, and is one of the standout tracks.
This is one of the best albums from Bert in recent years in my opinion - stripped back to the musical basics that set him apart. The title track is superb, and "Bring Your Religion" is a personal favourite.... Read more ›
Jansch has a style all his own - his guitar work is broken and nevertheless full, full of dazzling runs, hammers and chiming stops (as a semi-professional Jazz guitarist I can assure you of his tremendous skill!). His harmonies and resolutions are unique, and his voice is better described as beautiful than pretty - the fact that he makes it work is testament to his great musical powers!
This album marks a step further into the country influences that have appeared more and more in his work over the years - there is some great slide guitar and some lovely "pickin'" here, and although it doesn't always quite work, this is a soulful and sad album that still leaves you with a great faith in life and love. The lyrics are not always profound, but they are genuine without fail, and always pure Jansch.
The collaboration with Beth Orton is a little disappointing at times - the vocal harmonies they produce together are great, and Beth's voice suits much of the material, but at times it all feels a little too amateur - "Watch the Stars" is a very weak track, and it feels like they only included it because they wanted to sing together, not because it's a worthy inclusion. On the other hand "When The Sun Comes Up" shows Orton at her best, and is one of the standout tracks.
This is one of the best albums from Bert in recent years in my opinion - stripped back to the musical basics that set him apart. The title track is superb, and "Bring Your Religion" is a personal favourite.... Read more ›
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a beautiful album and a heart-warming return to the scene for one of Great Britain's most influential and important musicians of the 1960's.
if you claim to be a fan of Bob Dylan (who is also enjoying a stunning return to form this year) then this album is vital. If not, then it's still an astonishing album and one of the best releases of 2006 so far.
Definitely worth checking out...a living legend.
if you claim to be a fan of Bob Dylan (who is also enjoying a stunning return to form this year) then this album is vital. If not, then it's still an astonishing album and one of the best releases of 2006 so far.
Definitely worth checking out...a living legend.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Kenneth
Format:Audio CD
Not only does this album remind me of what an amazing guitarist Bert is, but his song writing too is the best it's ever been. This album is mesmerising, beautiful and just about perfect.
The new talent Bert has worked with (Beth Orton, Devendra Banhart - to name but a few) work perfectly on this beautifully engaging record. The Black Swan is a perfect addition to the Jansch catalogue for those faithful followers and a great introduction to the new folk fans alike.
The new talent Bert has worked with (Beth Orton, Devendra Banhart - to name but a few) work perfectly on this beautifully engaging record. The Black Swan is a perfect addition to the Jansch catalogue for those faithful followers and a great introduction to the new folk fans alike.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I know other's will disagree, but I feel this is a great place to start your journey with Bert. Now that we have lost him, I know there will be a renewed interest in him, so after this album I would probably suggest ' Rosemary Lane ', ' Jack Orion ', ' L.A. Turnaround ' , ' Nicola ', there's also a great Live album available, which was recorded VERY early in his career.
Yet another sad loss to us all, but I know his music is Timeless and with the likes of ' Laura Marling ' Re-introducing Folk music to the masses, this genre of music is in VERY safe hands, hopefully for evermore. R.I.P. Mr Jansch.
Yet another sad loss to us all, but I know his music is Timeless and with the likes of ' Laura Marling ' Re-introducing Folk music to the masses, this genre of music is in VERY safe hands, hopefully for evermore. R.I.P. Mr Jansch.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Ianham
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Ok let's get the guest star issue over with first.
Yes they are wyrdy beardie folkies but speaking as one who loves the lysergic twist this is not a bad thing. Beth Orton has a modicum of beatastic fame and has come out the other side relatively unscathed. The Espers crew know how to spook things up deliciously. Love that Cello. Devendra is just Devendra and keeps things mellow, So far so wyrd,
All of this frippery obviously keeps young Bert atuned to the contempoary ether because this is a fine album. The title song is the best one here; it is a belter and stands in my top 5 Bert tunes (I accept I have not heard all of 304 odd or something but a fair smatterring over the years.) Anyway the hairs on my neck tell me it's a goody.
As regards the vocals - they're rough and ready. They do what they say. On "Katie Cruel" Devendra and Beth work magic but if you are expecting precision singing you've come to the wrong CD.
The beauty and strength of this CD is the diversity of tone even if the moods is maintained. I am not a fan generally of guest stars, figuring that they obscure the main event (Come in Carlos Santana) but here they add and compliment - and it works a treat. At times it is a bit like a fab home made compilation. Bert's playing is spot on and joyful - when compared on a a scale of dourness 1-5, Bert usually ranks just below Gordon Brown - but here he must only be a 3.5.
On "Texas Cowboy USA" is a bass driven polemic about Bush Jnr - yes really! Even the his Bobness should cover this. "Magdalina's dance" an instrumental features the banjo and brings to mind Sufjan Stevens - again contemporary stuff that is rooted in the past. What goes around comes around.
Not everyones cup of tea, granted.... Read more ›
Yes they are wyrdy beardie folkies but speaking as one who loves the lysergic twist this is not a bad thing. Beth Orton has a modicum of beatastic fame and has come out the other side relatively unscathed. The Espers crew know how to spook things up deliciously. Love that Cello. Devendra is just Devendra and keeps things mellow, So far so wyrd,
All of this frippery obviously keeps young Bert atuned to the contempoary ether because this is a fine album. The title song is the best one here; it is a belter and stands in my top 5 Bert tunes (I accept I have not heard all of 304 odd or something but a fair smatterring over the years.) Anyway the hairs on my neck tell me it's a goody.
As regards the vocals - they're rough and ready. They do what they say. On "Katie Cruel" Devendra and Beth work magic but if you are expecting precision singing you've come to the wrong CD.
The beauty and strength of this CD is the diversity of tone even if the moods is maintained. I am not a fan generally of guest stars, figuring that they obscure the main event (Come in Carlos Santana) but here they add and compliment - and it works a treat. At times it is a bit like a fab home made compilation. Bert's playing is spot on and joyful - when compared on a a scale of dourness 1-5, Bert usually ranks just below Gordon Brown - but here he must only be a 3.5.
On "Texas Cowboy USA" is a bass driven polemic about Bush Jnr - yes really! Even the his Bobness should cover this. "Magdalina's dance" an instrumental features the banjo and brings to mind Sufjan Stevens - again contemporary stuff that is rooted in the past. What goes around comes around.
Not everyones cup of tea, granted.... Read more ›
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Amazing Bert Jansch (RIP)
Brilliant. Probably Bert Jansch's best album in our view. What a delight to listen and rekindle memories of a few! years ago. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Big Ern
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not great
This album has some very haunting and beautiful moments, but also sadly some poor tracks. Bert Jansch is a great guitarist and has a distinctive voice but the songs here are hit... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2006 by Mr. J. P. Shields
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nowt so queer as folk
As a newcomer to Bert Jansch and a relative newcomer to the folk world, I bought this on the strength of its reviews. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2006 by Mr. Peter Barrett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Instant Classic
This album deserves all the 5 star reviews its getting. Bert has never sounded so good, this time with a perfect set of collaborators making this album an instant classic that will... Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2006 by Claire Turner
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