Customer Reviews

Light Flight: The Anthology

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There's something a bit frustrating about Pentangle in general. With their remarkably talented lineup and their then-unique (and still rarely duplicated) blend of folk, jazz, and rock, it's always been clear that they were capable of some brilliant music - but on a lot of their work, the formula just doesn't quite work. Fortunately, there is a lot of that brilliant music on this collection, and even their less inspired work is never worse than average.

While Pentangle recorded plenty of originals along the way, their most appealing efforts (at least on this collection) are their gently rocking updates of traditional ballads like "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme" and "Wedding Dress". There are plenty of those here, and a few more recent covers, notably "Sally Go Round the Roses." That one works a lot better than you'd probably think. Most of the original work takes several listens before you start to appreciate it, but it's worth the effort.

Pentangle has continued to make albums since the era covered here, and some of them are arguably better than this work. But this is where the story begins, and as such, it's a good place for fans to begin.

Pentangle has a great folk style, complimented by the voices of Jacqui McShee and Bert Jansch. This CD was my introduction to Pentangle, and it persuaded me to seek more of their music and call them a favorite band. Though I'm continuing to grow my selection, my favorite songs are still those on this CD.

In specific:
Let No Man Steal Your Thyme - a good message, I guess, mostly a good song, I love their version.
Bruton Town and Omie Wise are kind of disturbing, but I love the songs. I like stories being told in songs and Pentangle gives me a lot of that. In Bruton Town a girl falls in love with a servant, and her brothers kill him (they don't get punished). In Omie Wise a man convinces Omie to come with him, then kills her and dumps her body in the river (he gets caught, at least).
Lord Franklin refers to the Arctic explorer who disappeared while exploring. The song is from his wife's point of view.
Once I Had a Sweetheart - 'he's gone and left me, he's gone and left me in sorrow to mourn.'
House Carpenter (Daemon Lover) - another one, yes, but very well done. Sung by both singers, which is great.
Sovay, the story of a woman who disguises herself as a bandit and robs her love, demanding the golden/diamond ring to see if he is a true love. He does not give up the ring even when she threatens to kill him, and she is satisfied.
I Loved a Lass. I have versions by the Clancy Brothers and the Chieftains (with Emmylou Harris), but this is my favorite. He loves a lass, she marries another. Love is like ships in a forest and strawberries growing in the sea.
The Cuckoo is a pretty bird who sings as she flies. Three verses, two sung twice, a very pretty song of discarded love.
The Trees They Do Grow High and the grass it does grow green. I've liked every version of this song I've heard (i.e. Daily Growing by Altan). A woman's father wishes her to marry a younger man, she thinks he is too young but is persuaded otherwise. At 16(+/-) he was a married man, 17 father of a son, 18 over him the grass grew green, death has put an end to his growing.
Rain and Snow. Catchy. Guy has gotten himself into an unhappy marriage.
A Maid That's Deep in Love, she disguises herself as a sailor to go after her sailor love. The captain falls in love with her but she leaves. I also like the Solas version of this song.
Wedding Dress is a really catchy, cute song. 'better be making your wedding dress... oh, it's already made, trimmed in green, prettiest thing you've ever seen... oh, it's already made, stitched all 'round with a golden crown...'
Cruel Sister, called Bonny Swans by Loreena McKennitt, it is a traditional Irish story of two princesses in love with one man. The elder girl pushes her sister into the river, where she drowns. Her body washes up on shore and is made into a harp, the minstrel then performs before the court and the harp sings of her death, exposing the older sister. The Pentangle version is 7 min. long and very pretty.

Not only are those favorites of Pentangle, they are some of my most-listened-to songs, competing with artists such as Altan, Clannad, the Chieftains, Solas, and Steeleye Span.

Highly recommended to fans of those above-mentioned groups as well as anyone trying out Irish or folk music.