Customer Reviews

Downunder Live in

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Being a great fan of Bert's 'old stuff' I bought this CD on the strength of the track titles. Most of the songs I was familiar with, but some were new to me. However, I love the disc from start to finish. The quality of the music and of the recordings is made all the more remarkable when one remembers that it was all recorded live. Close your eyes and you're there as part of his audience.
Old favourites such as 'Blues Run the Game' and 'Strolling Down the Highway' I've been playing on my guitar for years. But there are such brilliant tracks here, like the beautiful 'Curragh of Kildare' and 'The Lily of the West' which are known and loved by all 'folkies'. But what of the songs that were new to me?
Of these, by far my favourite is 'Paper Houses', a wonderful song full of description and vision. It's a masterpiece of poetry which I'm still trying to work out how to play.
Bert's style is unusual and, it has to be said, an acquired taste. But he's stood the test of time and, together with his fellow members of Pentangle, will always be remembered with great affection as being extremely competent and talented musicians in their own respective fields.
If you like either (or both) traditional and/or contemporary English folk music then Bert Jansch is your man and, of all the many albums this gent has created, this has to be one of his best.

It's too bad that Burt Jansch isn't better known in the U.S. He deserves a place in the pantheon of the greatest acoustic guitar players. He's also a fine song writer and singer. This concert recording shares several songs with another wonderful concert recording "Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning". Comparing the performances better highlights Jansch's depth and bredth. I can't recommend these recordings highly enough.