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Product Description
2006 studio album from the contemporary British folk legend! Cameos by Beth Orton ; Devendra Banhart and David Roback (Mazzy Star).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 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. As usual, the best tracks are those where Bert simply sings and plays his guitar, and the tracks with lots of other instrumentation seldom come close for real feeling - "Texas Cowboy Blues" is a perfect example, very well performed but over-complicated and lacking any atmosphere.
Overall this is a cracking album, and I would highly recommend it to Jansch fans. Those unfamiliar with his work would be better to start elsewhere I think.
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. As usual, the best tracks are those where Bert simply sings and plays his guitar, and the tracks with lots of other instrumentation seldom come close for real feeling - "Texas Cowboy Blues" is a perfect example, very well performed but over-complicated and lacking any atmosphere.
Overall this is a cracking album, and I would highly recommend it to Jansch fans. Those unfamiliar with his work would be better to start elsewhere I think.
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
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 6 months ago by Big Ern
If your new to Bert this is a good place to start.
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... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mild Dill Hotpot
Five stars for one song
The title track is the real reason for cherishing this CD: an astonishing meditation on mortality and our lonely place in the universe. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ben Koerner
Five star review 10 star album
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. Read more
Yes they are wyrdy beardie folkies but speaking as one who loves the lysergic twist this is not a bad thing. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Ianham
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
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
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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