Were Pentangle a folk group, a folk-rock group, or something that resists classification? They could
hardly be called a rock & roll act; they didn't use electric instruments often, and were built around two virtuoso guitarists, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, who were already well-established on the folk circuit before the group formed. Yet their hunger for eclectic experimentation fit into the milieu of late-'60s progressive rock and psychedelia well, and much of their audience came from the rock and pop worlds, rather than the folk crowd.
With Jacqui McShee on vocals and a rhythm section of Danny Thompson (bass) and Terry Cox
(drums), the group mastered a breathtaking repertoire that encompassed traditional ballads, blues, jazz, pop, and reworkings of rock oldies, often blending different genres in the same piece. Their prodigious individual talents perhaps ensured a brief lifespan, but at their peak they melded their distinct and immense skills to egg each other on to heights they couldn't have achieved on their own, in the manner of great rock combos like the Beatles and Buffalo Springfield.
When Pentangle formed over the winter of 1966-1967, Jansch and Renbourn had already recorded one album together (Bert & John), and done some solo recordings as well. Jansch was more inclined toward
blues and contemporary songwriting than Renbourn, who was stronger in traditional British folk music. Jacqui McShee, whose bell-clear, high singing set the standard (along with Sandy Denny) for female British folk-rock vocals, began rehearsing with the pair. After a false start with a forgotten rhythm section, Thompson and Cox -- who had been working with Alexis Korner -- were brought in to complete the quintet.
Pentangle's first three albums -- The Pentangle (1968), the double-LP Sweet Child (1968), and Basket of Light (1969) -- are not only their best efforts, but arguably their only truly essential ones. With Shel
Talmy acting as producer, the band rarely took a misstep in its mastery of diverse styles and material. Thompson and Cox gave even the traditional folk ballads a jazz swing and verve; the guitar interplay of Jansch (who was also a capable singer) and Renbourn was downright thrilling, each complementing and enhancing the other without showing off or getting in each other's way. McShee's beautiful vocals, though not as emotionally resonant as her close counterpart Sandy Denny, were an under-appreciated component to the band's success with the pop audience.
And Pentangle were very popular for a time, at least in England, where Basket of Light made number
five, and "Light Flight" was a small hit single. They introduced some electric guitars on their early-'70s albums, which generally suffered from weaker material and a less unified group effort. The original lineup broke up in 1973; Jansch and Renbourn (who had never really abandoned their solo careers) continued to record often as soloists, and remained top attractions on the folk circuit.
Thompson joined John Martyn for a while, and remained active as a session musician, in addition to recording some work of his own for the Hannibal label. The original group reunited for the Open the
Door album in the early '80s, and other versions of the group recorded and toured throughout the '80s and '90s, usually featuring McShee and Jansch as the sole remaining original members. In 2008 all five original members joined up for a 12-date U.K. tour, and headlined that year's Green Man festival. The deaths of Bert Jansch in 2011 and John Renbourn in 2015 would prevent the band from reconvening again, but in 2016 Topic issued Finale: An Evening With..., which was recorded during their 2008 tour.
In 2017 Cherry Red Records issued a deluxe seven-disc box set featuring remastered versions of all the
band's albums. Released to coincide with the group's 50th anniversary, each expanded LP featured a bevy of bonus material, including previously unreleased tracks.
[By Richie Unterberger]
Pentangle – The Time Has Come 1967-1973
Label: Castle Music – CMXBX664
Format: 4 x CD, Compilation,Box Set
Country:UK
Released: 2007
Genre: Jazz, Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Blues Rock, Folk Rock, Folk
DISC 1. STUDIO 1967 - 1969
01. Mirage (From The Pentangle)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 1:59
02. Waltz (From The Pentangle)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:02
03. Poison (Previously Unreleased)Written-By – Bert Jansch 2:40
04. Travelling Song (Single)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:59
05. Forty-Eight (From Sir John Alot)Written-By – John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:51
06. Koan (Alternate Take)Written-By – James Sullivan 1:34
07. In Your Mind (BBC Session 1968)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:11
08. Sovay (BBC Session 1968)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 2:16
09. In Time (From Sweet Child)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:06
10. Sweet Child (From Sweet Child)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:11
11. The Trees They Do Grow High (Alternate Take) (From Sweet Child Sessions)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 3:48
12. Moon Dog (From Sweet Child)Written-By – Terry Cox 2:40
13. Light Flight (From Basket Of Light)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:14
14. Once I Had A Sweetheart (From Basket Of Light)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:35
15. I Saw An Angel (Single B-Side)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:52
16. Springtime Promises (From Basket Of Light)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:05
17. Cold Mountain (Single B-Side)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 1:58
18. Train Song (From Basket Of Light)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:43
19. Hunting Song (BBC Session 1969)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 7:06
MP3 @ 320 Size: 163 MB
Flac Size: 402 MB
DISC 2. STUDIO 1970 - 1973
01. Lord Franklin (From Cruel Sister)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 3:22
02. Jack Orion (Instrumental Edit) (From Cruel Sister)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:17
03. Cruel Sister (From Cruel Sister)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditiona l7:01
04. Helping Hand (From Reflection)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:29
05. Faro Annie (From Faro Annie)Written-By – Danny Thompson, John Renbourn, Sue Draheim, Terry Cox 3:24
06. Reflection (Alternate Take)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 13:10
07. So Clear (Aka John's Song) (Alternate Take)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:54
08. The Snows (From Solomon's Seal)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:46
09. Jump Baby Jump (From Solomon's Seal)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:13
10. Yarrow (From Moonshine)Arranged By – Bert Jansch/Written-By – Traditiona l5:07
11. Tam Lin (From Tam Lin Soundtrack - Previously Unreleased)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 7:27
12. The Best Part Of You (From Tam Lin Soundtrack - Previously Unreleased)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:47
13. Green Willow (From The Lost Sessions)Written-By – John Renbourn 4:17
MP3 @ 320 Size: 163 MB
Flac Size: 394 MB
DISC 3. LIVE AT THE ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL 29 JUNE 1968
01. WaltzWritten-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:59
02. Way Behind The SunWritten-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:49
03. The Time Has ComeWritten-By – Anne Briggs 2:57
04. Let No Man Steal Your ThymeArranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditiona l2:23
05. So Early In The SpringArranged By – Jacqui McShee/Written-By – Traditiona l2:54
06. Hear My CallWritten-By – Roebuck Staples 3:26
07. No More My LordArranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn/Written-By – Traditional 3:42
08. Three Dances: Brentzal Gay / La Rotta / The Earle Of SalisburyArranged By – John Renbourn/Written-By – Traditional 3:01
09. Market SongWritten-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:27
10. Bruton TownArranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 5:20
11. A Woman Like YouWritten-By – Bert Jansch 4:00
12. No ExitWritten-By – Bert Jansch, John Renbourn 2:02
13. Haitian Fight SongWritten-By – Charles Mingus 3:14
14. Goodbye Pork Pie HatWritten-By – Charles Mingus 3:43
15. BellsWritten-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 4:14
16. John Donne SongWritten-By – John Donne, John Renbourn 2:10
17. Watch The StarsArranged By – Jacqui McShee/Written-By – Traditional 3:02
18. Turn Your Money GreenWritten-By – Walter Lewis 2:18
19. Travelling SongWritten-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:16
MP3 @ 320 Size: 155 MB
Flac Size: 355 MB
DISC 4. LIVE, TV & FILM 1970 - 1973
01. Pentangling (Aberdeen Music Hall 1970)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 19:36
02. Sally Go Round The Roses (Granada TV 1970)Written-By – Phil Spector 3:19
03. Sarabande (Granada TV 1970)Arranged By – John Renbourn/Written-By – Johann Sebastian Bach 2:36
04. Sally Free And Easy (Granada TV 1970)Written-By – Cyril Tawney 3:53
05. Wondrous Love (LWT TV 1971)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 2:47
06. Sweet Child (LWT TV 1971)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 3:13
07. Willy O'Winsbury (Granada TV 1972)Arranged By – John Renbourn/Written-By – Traditional 5:36
08. Rain And Snow (Granada TV 1972)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 3:44
09. No Love Is Sorrow (Granada TV 1972)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 2:47
10. Wedding Dress (RTBF Belgium TV 1972)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 2:24
11. The Furniture Store (From Christian The Lion Soundtrack)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 0:57
12. Christian The Lion (From Christian The Lion Soundtrack)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:51
13. Reflection (RTBF Belgium TV 1972)Arranged By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, John Renbourn, Terry Cox/Written-By – Traditional 10:31
14. People On The Highway (RTBF Belgium TV 1972)Written-By – Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn, Terry Cox 5:10
MP3 @ 320 Size: 176 MB
Flac Size: 427 MB
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