Customer Reviews

After the Dance

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This anthology supplements most of the material from the album "Bert and John" (later released as "Stepping Stones" in the States) with six or seven duets taken from Bert Jansch and Pentangle albums from the same general period, 1966 to 1968. A good idea, as it allows listeners to hear Jansch and Renbourn both in the context of unaccompanied duet, and in their role as the duel driving forces of Pentangle. Jansch and Renbourn were perhaps the most celebrated acoustic guitar duo from this period, and the material still shines: pieces like 'Hole in the Coal,' 'Three Part Thing,' and 'After the Dance' itself have so much drive, yet elegance...

I seldom see this or any of the various Bert & John repackagings
in stores these days (e.g., the Stepping Stones & Extra Tracks Cds). I bought Bert & John's early duo album on vinyl in about
1974 & just recently got around to buying this CD. It's great to
have tracks like Tic-tockative, Goodbye Porkpie Hat & Orlando
on CD. This CD omits Bert's 2 vocals from the original LP - The Time Has Come & Soho. Also, several instrumental tracks by Pentangle are included here - they are basically modal jams, featuring a lot of one-chord riffing by Jansch, Renbourn & bassist Danny Thompson. Perhaps Pentangle is worth including for historical purposes, but their tracks are not up to the level of the duets, either as compositions or performances. This is just
my own opinion, of course. I recommend the album to acoustic
guitar players as well as any Jansch/Renbourn/Pentangle fans.

This breathtaking album showcases a series of spellbinding and perfect dialogues between two masters of acoustic guitar. Although normally classified under "folk", the album is an extraordinary and seamless fusion of blues, jazz, celtic/British, bluegrass and baroque counterpoint. The music combines strong and catchy melodies, driving rhythms and strategically advanced composition.

An extraordinarily intense driving energy pervades this album, and as the last few notes echo in your ears, you are left with the feeling of having been in the presence of pure, bright liquid light, emanating from a pitch-black background. The pieces are hauntingly beautiful, each track highly distinctive.

This album is a master course in dialogue and composition. I've listened to it an uncountable number of times, and I'm still learning from it. If my house caught on fire and I could rescue only one album, I would choose this one.

best compilation of the two geniuses. this cd pops with acoustic sounds only these two can make. it is baroque style fingerpicking with a taste of psychadelic and jazz overtones. the drums and bass are a perfect additon.

I've seen vinyl versions of this going for gazillions, but I like the CD better, because it has more chops in it. Of particular note is "Goodbye Porkpie Hat." This has been done so many times by so many guitar-players that by now it's nearly as corny as "Dust My Broom," but B & J's spare take on it reminds the listener that this not a Scarlatti sonata, it's a BLUES. Then there's "Lucky Thirteen," which for my money is the finest instrumental they ever did. The "Jack Orion" opening goes though a Wes Montgomery variation before turning into a 12-bar finger-popper that would give Clapton pause.

The 70's were awash in guitar-duo albums -- McLaughlin and Paco, Abercrombie and Towner, and Coryell with anyone who cared to take him on, but I've always suspected that this gem was the start of it all.

Every time I hear this I can picture Bert and John sitting on a park bench, busking for their beer-money, and not giving a rat's wazoo about anything, except for UNBE@#$&INGLIEVABLE licks.

A beautiful duo album from two of England's greatest guitarists, recorded in their prime. Jansch is more blues-influenced, while Renbourn leans towards classical music and the baroque; yet their styles mesh perfectly. You can tell there's a lot of affection and respect between the two musicians. Wherever I listen to this album, it always conjures up images of being in a small country cottage, with rain outside, tea just poured, and a roaring fire in the grate. One of Jimmy Page's favourite records, I understand; it should be one of yours too.