Pentangling: The Collection

Bert Jansch, Pentangle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 7, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B00066VU4S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,175 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The most complete collection of Pentangle's work, featuring a Pentangle disc, John Renbourne disc & Bert Jansch disc. Digitally remastered. Sanctuary. 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Collection of Pentangle, Renbourn & Jansch Classics, January 5, 2005

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentangling: Collection (Audio CD)

In 2000, Sanctuary/Castle Records released a two-disc anthology entitled THE PENTANGLE FAMILY, which explored the music of this influential British folk band. Four years later, they expand that collection to a third disc, devoting one disc to group material and one disc each that focuses on the solo material from Pentangle's two standout guitar players, John Renbourn and Bert Jansch.

Disc one begins with their debut single "Travelling Song" and continues chronologically with their 1968 self-titled debut through 1972's SOLOMON'S SEAL (the last album with the entire original lineup). While much of the attention is given to the interplay between guitarists Jansch and Renbourn, percussionist Terry Cox and bassist Danny Thompson make a formidable rhythm section. In addition, Jacqui McShee more than holds her own with contemporaries like Sandy Denny and Maddy Prior. Most of these songs are taken from their first three (and arguably their best) albums. Highlights include the 7-minute instrumental "Pentangling," "Sweet Child" and their remake of the Jaynetts' 1963 hit "Sally Go 'Round the Roses." Only the last five tracks are culled from their last three albums. Of special note is "Lord Franklin" from 1970's CRUEL SISTER which features Renbourn on guitar and Jansch on concertina.

Disc two contains solo material from John Renbourn before, during and after his collaboration with Pentangle. The disc begins with "Judy," an instrumental from his 1965 self-titled debut, and concludes with another instrumental, "The Hermit," from his 1976 album of the same name. In addition to the folk material he is best known for, there are several tracks from FARO ANNIE ("White House Blues," "Shake Shake Mama" and the title track) where he works in a blues vein. He also shows his jazz side on the Charles Mingus tune "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," a duet with Bert Jansch.

Disc three does the same for Bert Jansch. It covers material from his first eight albums, beginning with 1965's self-titled debut and stops with 1973's MOONSHINE (his first album for Reprise after leaving Transatlantic). Jansch is a gifted guitar player and songwriter and expressive singer. Standout tracks are the bleak "Needle of Death" and the lovely "Rosemary Lane."

While Pentangle would continue to record into the eighties and nineties (with various configurations of the five original members), disc one does a nice job of hitting most of the highlights from the peak of the band's career.

However, both Renbourn and Jansch have continued to record to the present day. Further suggested listening for anyone wanting to hear more of John Renbourn is encouraged to pick up A MAID IN BEDLAM or LIVE IN AMERICA, both featuring Jacqui McShee. Also, Renbourn has done a number of fine albums with guitarist Stefan Grossman. As for Bert Jansch, almost everything he has recorded is worth a listen, and BIRTHDAY BLUES and ROSEMARY LANE are classics. Also worth seeking out are HEARTBREAK, ORNAMENT TREE and WHEN THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN.

As an introduction to one of the finest British folk bands, as well as two of its finest guitar players, PENTANGLING: THE COLLECTION succeeds magnificently. If you are a fan of British folk in general or of Pentangle's contemporaries like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span in particular, this is a must-have purchase. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch The Stars, See How They Run, November 17, 2005

By 

El Lagarto (Sandown, NH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentangling: Collection (Audio CD)

Hauntingly beautiful, technical genius. You don't even need to be a folky to admire it. Bert Jansch and John Renbourn were already icons when they joined to form Pentangle, revered in English and American folk circles. The addition of Jacqui McShee gave them one of the sweetest and purest voices you will ever hear in your life. The bass and drum underpinning added a hip, jazz sensibility that made for a group nobody could quite define. This anthology handles the matter nicely, devoting 1 CD to Pentangle, 1 to Renbourn, and 1 to Jansch. You will certainly be awed by the virtuosity of these two guitarists, but what will linger is the emotion, this is English "soul" music. Many standouts, especially on the Pentangle CD - Light Flight, Once I Had A Sweetheart, Lord Franklin, Cruel Sister. Life is too short not to listen to this - treat yourself.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Collection of Pentangle, Renbourn & Jansch Classics, January 5, 2005

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentangling: The Collection (Audio CD)

In 2000, Sanctuary/Castle Records released a two-disc anthology entitled THE PENTANGLE FAMILY, which explored the music of this influential British folk band. Four years later, they expand that collection to a third disc, devoting one disc to group material and one disc each that focuses on the solo material from Pentangle's two standout guitar players, John Renbourn and Bert Jansch.

Disc one begins with their debut single "Travelling Song" and continues chronologically with their 1968 self-titled debut through 1972's SOLOMON'S SEAL (the last album with the entire original lineup). While much of the attention is given to the interplay between guitarists Jansch and Renbourn, percussionist Terry Cox and bassist Danny Thompson make a formidable rhythm section. In addition, Jacqui McShee more than holds her own with contemporaries like Sandy Denny and Maddy Prior. Most of these songs are taken from their first three (and arguably their best) albums. Highlights include the 7-minute instrumental "Pentangling," "Sweet Child" and their remake of the Jaynetts' 1963 hit "Sally Go 'Round the Roses." Only the last five tracks are culled from their last three albums. Of special note is "Lord Franklin" from 1970's CRUEL SISTER which features Renbourn on guitar and Jansch on concertina.

Disc two contains solo material from John Renbourn before, during and after his collaboration with Pentangle. The disc begins with "Judy," an instrumental from his 1965 self-titled debut, and concludes with another instrumental, "The Hermit," from his 1976 album of the same name. In addition to the folk material he is best known for, there are several tracks from FARO ANNIE ("White House Blues," "Shake Shake Mama" and the title track) where he works in a blues vein. He also shows his jazz side on the Charles Mingus tune "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," a duet with Bert Jansch.

Disc three does the same for Bert Jansch. It covers material from his first eight albums, beginning with 1965's self-titled debut and stops with 1973's MOONSHINE (his first album for Reprise after leaving Transatlantic). Jansch is a gifted guitar player and songwriter and expressive singer. Standout tracks are the bleak "Needle of Death" and the lovely "Rosemary Lane."

While Pentangle would continue to record into the eighties and nineties (with various configurations of the five original members), disc one does a nice job of hitting most of the highlights from the peak of the band's career.

However, both Renbourn and Jansch have continued to record to the present day. Further suggested listening for anyone wanting to hear more of John Renbourn is encouraged to pick up A MAID IN BEDLAM or LIVE IN AMERICA, both featuring Jacqui McShee. Also, Renbourn has done a number of fine albums with guitarist Stefan Grossman. As for Bert Jansch, almost everything he has recorded is worth a listen, and BIRTHDAY BLUES and ROSEMARY LANE are classics. Also worth seeking out are HEARTBREAK, ORNAMENT TREE and WHEN THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN.

As an introduction to one of the finest British folk bands, as well as two of its finest guitar players, PENTANGLING: THE COLLECTION succeeds magnificently. If you are a fan of British folk in general or of Pentangle's contemporaries like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span in particular, this is a must-have purchase. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED