Customer Reviews

Sir John a Lot

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

 

 

I've truly enjoyed this CD, which captures Renbourn in full Renaissance mode for the first 4 tracks and then somewhat abruptly moves into distinctly modern acoustic Jazz territory. If it weren't for the rather challenging gear-changing (without a clutch, I might add), this one would merit 5 stars - Renbourn's tone and technique sets the standard for guitar in this genre.

Interestingly, I bet this recording worked better on vinyl, with each side having it's own personality. On CD, there's just no adequate segue. Still, however, it's well worth your time to seek this one out.

I was thrilled to find this on CD. My original vinyl LP got worn out many years ago after constant playing on Friday and Saturday nights in my candle-lit living room. John Renbourn was truly one of the finest guitarists ever. I will always remember seeing Pentangle in concert at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. This album is outstanding!

Like many others I had this in vinal, which I wore a hole in. I bought the cd and it is still a great effort on the part of John Renbourn. I don't agree with the reviewer who wrote that it sounds dated, but it isn't for everyone. But if you, like me, really love a completely acoustic sound you will love this classic.

This was an LP and side one was a more rennaisance style while side two was more experimental. It has a cool jazz feel with a touch of country.

It seems obvious to me that this CD is a digital recording of someone's vinyl original, with pops and all. I think I would have ended up with less popping and extraneous noise if I had a digital copy of my own vinyl version of this great Renbourn effort. I am very disappointed in the quality of the recording, not in the music itself -- which is timeless and every bit as enjoyable as I remember it from when I played vinyl music. There is a more expensive European CD available. I would recommend you put out the extra money for it, provided you can verify that it is actually a digital remastering of the original tapes, and not just another digital sampling of someone's vinyl copy.

If you're the kind of person who likes out-and-out stunning virtuostic display, this is the album for you. Most of the cuts are solo acoustic guitar, and 'White Fishes,' 'Sweet Potato,' and 'Seven Up' in particular sound just about unplayable. I think this was Renbourn's best early recording; the technical display is well balanced by some more contemplative Medieval-like compositions worked out by a small flock of outstanding session players. It also represents his most jazz-oriented effort to date. I have to admit that the whole thing sounds just a tad dated at this point, but so what: it's a nice documenting of the kinds of creative exploration that were going on in mid 60s Britain.

sir johnalot is one of my jazz favorites, with hints of pentangle's pop, folk, and just plain old weirdness. I have worn out 3 vinyls of this particular album. Does that make this a 3 star revue?