Pentangling – The Collection: Pentangle – John Renbourn – Bert Jansch 3CD (2004)

This 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.”

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