Pentangle, The
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1967-73) - Jacqui McShee -- vocals - John Renbourn -- vocals, guitar - Bert Jansch (RIP 2011) -- vocals, guitar - Danny Thompson -- double bass - Terry Cox -- drums, percussion, glockenspiel, back vocals
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- Backroom Boys and Girls (Gerry Conway) - Martin Barre Band (Alan Thomson) - Blues Incorporated (Terry Cox and Danny Thompson) - The Bunch (Gerry Conway) - John Cameron Quartet (Danny Thompson) - Dizhythnia (Danny Thompson) - Duffy's Nucleus (Terry Cox) - The Dylan Project (Gerry Conway) - Eclection (Gerry Conway) - Fairport Convention (Gerry Conway) - The Chris Farlowe Band (Gerry Conway) - Fotheringay (Gerry Conway) - Global Village Tucking Company (Peter Kirtley) - Griffin (Peter Kirtley) - The Happy Magazine (Peter Kirtley) - Tubby Hayes Quartet (Danny Thompson) - Hudson - Ford (Gerry Conway) - Bert Jansch (solo efforts) - Bert Jansch Conundrum - Bert Jansch and John Renbourn - Jethro Tull (Gerry Conway) - The Peter Kirtley Band - Loose Ends (Peter Kirtley) - The London Sacophonic (Danny Thompson) - Ken Mansfield and Terry Cox (Terry Cox) - The Chris McGregir Septet (Danny Thompson) - Jacqui McShee's Take Three (Jacqui McShee, Gerry Conway and Alan Thomson) - The Alan Price Set (Peter Kirtley) - Radiator (Peter Kirtley) - John Renbourn (solo efforts) - John Renbourn and Stefan Grossman - John Renbourn's Ship of Fools - The John Renbourn Group - Riff-Raff (Peter Kirtley) - The Solid British Hat Band (Terry Cox) - Songhai (Danny Thompson) - The Soulmates (Gerry Conway) - Sweet F.A. (Peter Kirtley) - Alan Thomson (solo efforts) - Thieves (Gerry Conway) - Danny Thompson Trio (Danny Thompson) - Danny Thompson and Whatever - Richard Thompson Band (Gerry Conway and Danny Thompson) - The Transatlantic House Band (Danny Thompson) - Whatever (Danny Thompson) - Yellow Dog (Gerry Conway)
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Genre: folk Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Sweet Child Company: Reprise Year: 1968 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: double LP; gatefold sleeve; white label promo copy Available: 1 Catalog ID: -- Price: $45.00
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In this day and age it's hard to imagine a record label that would finance any double album. Even more so if the plan was for a half live, half studio set. Well, what if the band had only released one album up to that date and it had been an indifferent seller? Doesn't sound like something a marketing department would be excited to green light. Well, kudos to Transatlanic and Reprise (Pentangle's UK and American labels).
Coming
less than a year after the release of their self-titled debut, 1968's "Sweet
Child" was a twenty-six song, double album set. Sides 1
and 2 featured live material recorded at a June, 1968 concert at The Royal
Festival Hall. Sides 3 and 4 reflected new studio material.
Produced by Shel Talmy the album's mix of live and studio material
served to showcase the five band members diverse musical interests.
Guitarist/singer Bert Jansch had already recorded
"Sweet
Child" track listing: 1.) Market Song (Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 3:39 rating: **** stars "Ladies and Gentlement - The Pentangle." 'Market Song' was a group original that introduced Jansch and McShee's lovely vocal interplay. The tune also showcased their ability to merge traditional folk and jazz moves. Very cool. "Song using images inspired by a street market. Bert {Jansch] opens with guitar harmonics, then sings the versus and is joined by Jacqui. Danny and Terry underline the time which switches between 7/4 and 11/4 and 4/4." 2.) No More My Lord (traditional arranged by Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 3:55 rating: **** stars Gospel sentiments set to a cool mix of folk and Beatnik jazz moves. Good example of how powerful McShee's voice could be, though the real star on this one was drummer Terry Cox. "Jacqui sings this spiritual which is also know as "never Turn Back". It was used as a work-gang song and Terry builds up the rhythm using mallets over a riff played by Bert." 3.) Turn Your Money Green (traditional) - 2:16 rating: *** stars Yeah, it took them a minute to figure out what they were doing, but when they got there it was an interesting cover of a blues tune best known for Furry Lewis' cover. McShee and Renbourn handling vocals. "A blues sung by Jacqui. She heard if on an old Furry Lewis record. John accompanies her and also sings on the chorus." 4.) Haitian Fight Song (instrumental) (Charles MIngus) - 3:31 rating: ** stars One of two Charles Mingus covers, 'Haitian Fight Song' served as a showcase for bassist Thompson and drummer Cox. Straigh out jazz. 5.) A Woman Like You (Bert Jansch) - 4:00 rating: **** stars Jansch had previously recorded this track as a solo artist. YouTube has a great performance of the solo track from a 1968 performance for Norwegian television: Bert Jansch - A Woman Like You - (Live Norwegian TV '68) The Pentangle version is a little fuller, but not that different from the solo arrangement and just as haunting. One of Jansch's finest moments. His guitar work is breathtaking. The liner notes description is right on the mark: "A solo by Bert which Bert described as "a cross between a move song and black magic song". Bert uses D tuning on his guitar." 6.) Goodbye Pork-Pie Hat (Instrumental) (Charles MIngus) - 3:43 rating: *** stars The second Mingus cover, 'Goodbye Pork-Pie Hat' wad a tasteful instrumental showcasing Jansch and Renbourn's jazz chops. It's another track the pair had previously recorded on their "Bert and John" album. "John and Bert duet using Charles NIngus's tribute to Lester Young as a theme."
(side
2) A brief excursion into Rennaissance musical history. (a) Brentzel Gay (instrumental) (Claude Gervaise - arranged by Terry Cox - John Renbourn) rating: **** stars Hum, don't think I've ever heard glockenspiel on a Pentangle album before. Charming folk instrumental that should reduce your stress levels and blood pressure. "This is by Claude Gervaise, a 16th Century composer." (b) La Rotta (instrumental) (traditional arranged by Terry Cox - John Renbourn) rating: *** stars To be honest, other than a faster pace, I don't hear a lot of difference when the song shifts into the 'La Rotta' section. "An Italian 14th Century example." (c) The Earl of Salisbury (instrumental) (William Byrd) rating: *** stars 'The Earl of Salisbury' was another pretty English folk-tune with that weird acoustic guitar and glockenspiel instrumentation. "This a pavan by William Byrd, the 16th Centyry English compsoer. John on guitar. Terry on glockenspiel." I had no idea what a pavan (pavane) was. Accordingly to Wikipedia: "is a slow processional dance common in Europe during the 16th century (Renaissance)." 2.) Watch the Stars (traditional arranged by Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn) - 3:03 rating: **** stars I'm a big fan of the way McShee and Renbourn's voices blend. What I've never really figured out is how they managed to inject a lysergic element into this traditional ballad. Yes, from experience I can tell you this is a great piece of music to watch a sunset to. YouTube has a live performance of the song. Admittedly it's not the full Pentangle line-up, but its still worth a view. The performance was taken from a 2004 performance in Newcastle on Tyne and captured on a 2014 DVD "John Renbourn Jacqui McShee In Concert" "Watch the Stars" performed by John Renbourn & Jacqui McShee "John and Jacqui sing and American childrens' Christmas song." 3.) So Early in the Spring (traditional arranged by Jacqui McShee) - 3:06 rating: **** stars Solo McShee ... goose bump inducing and I'm not even a big English folk fan. "Jacqui sings this unaccompanied traditional Scottish song." 4.) No Exit (instrumental) (Bert Jansch - John Renbourn) - 2:16 rating: *** stars Jansch and Rebourn decide to show the crowd they're comfortable with some jazzy moves. "John and Bert play a new interpretation of a duet which first appeared on their LP "Bert and John,"" 5.) The Time Has Come (Ann Briggs) - 3:04 rating: **** stars Powered by McShee's sexy, crystalline voice their cover of Ann Briggs ballad 'The Time Has Come' provided one of the album highlights. Wrapped in a jazz club arrangement including some "beatnick" bass from Thompson and cool electric guitar moves, this one had mid-'60s written all over it. This was another track Jansch and Renbourn had previously recorded on their 1966 "Bert and John" album. The updated version is miles better. "Written by Ann Briggs a traditional singer from Nottingham and a favourite of The Pentangle." 6.) Bruton Town (traditional arranged by Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 5:31 rating: **** stars 'Bruton Town' was the only live performance of a song appearing on their fist studio set - 1968's "The Pentangle". The live version is even better than the original. My pick for the album highlight, Jansch and McShee trade off versus on an amazing adaptation of this English traditional track. What's really cool is the fact it sounds like a rock song even through there's not a single electric instrument on the song. "The group's arrangement of a traditional English song, with traditional ingredients - love, murder and ghostly apparaitions as sung by Jacqui and Bert."
(side 3) 1.) Sweet Child (Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 5:13 rating: **** stars Anyone expecting to hear a traditional English folk tune was going to be surprised by 'Sweet Child.' Sporting surprisingly taunt full rock band arrangement (don't let the opening fool you), there was almost a psych flavor to this one. The real highlight came from the combination of Jansch and McShea's vocals. It took a moment to get acclimated to the differences in the pitch, but from that point on the performance was almost magical. No idea\ when or where it was recorded, but YouTube has what appears to be a television performance of the song. It's a little shorted than the album version, but still impressive. She looks a little stiff, but McShee's voice is pretty special: Pentangle - Sweet Child LWT 1971 2.) I Loved a Lass (traditional arranged by Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 2:40 rating: **** stars I'm not a big fan of traditional English fold tales, though there are occasional exceptions to the rule. Case in point, the pastoral 'I Loved a Lass.' Good example of Jansch's deep and soulful voice. My humble opinion, but Terry Cox's percussion makes the song. "The Pentangle's arrangement of a traditional Scottish love song, sung by Bert." 3.) Three Part Thing (instrumental) (Bert Jansch - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) 2:26 rating: **** stars Featuring viola, acoustic guitar and perhaps a lute, the instrumental 'Three Part Thing' sound liked a medieval piece. Not something I'd normally be interested in, but I found this one fascinating. I can imagine it on a Jan Akkerman solo album. "John, Bert and Danny use a counterpoint theme composed for three instruments, with the middle section improvised on the mode. Terry backs with hand drums." 4.) Sovay (traditional arranged Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - Jacqui McShee - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 2:49 rating: **** stars An interesting tale about a roving highwaywoman (dressed as a man), who decides to put her boyfriend to a test of fidelity, 'Sovay' is one of those traditional English folk tunes that's been revived multiple times - Bert Lloyd, Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy and The Pentangle. I've always liked the accompanying acoustic guitars and upright bass. With McShee singing in a lower register, I think I'd give the nod to The Pentangle version. "An English ballad, with unknown origins, about a female highwayman whose name could also be Sophie, or Sylvie. It is sung by Jacqui." With Janisch and McShee sharing vocals, YouTube as an August, 1982 performance of the song on the BBC's Six-Five Special television series: Pentangle - Sovay (Six Fifty-Five Special, 5th August 1982): 5.) In Time (instrumental) (Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 5:07 rating: **** stars So I'll go with the liner note description first - "A group instrumental in triple time with solos by John and Bert." I'm not a music major so I had no real idea of what triple time meant. I'll tell you 'In Time' reflect an unexpected funky-blues vibe and was one of the album's hidden surprises. By the way, Danny Thomas' bass line really powered the track.
(side
4) An original composition like the folk ballad 'In Your Mind' makes me wonder why these guys never attracted the same level of attention as compatriots like Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, or The Strawbs. Once again the combination of the layered vocals and the almost Indian flavored rhythms made this one so much more than just another folk song. "The group sometimes call this "Over There". It features three part vocals by Bert, Jacqui and John, with Danny and Terry underlining the 7/4 rhythm." 2.) I've Got a Feeling (Terry Cox - Bert Jansch - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 4:26 rating: **** stars "A blues sung by Jacqui in 3/4 time with Danny soloing on two choruses." Another apt description though it fails to give you a feel for how good McShee sounds when she employed her tougher, lower register. The two Thompson bass solos were nice giving the song a jazzy vibe, but the song would have benefited from giving Jansch or Renbourn a guitar solo. For jazz fans it's worth noting the song bares a resemblance to Miles Davis' 'All Blues'. YouTube has a mesmerizing clip of the band performing the song for a January 1971 BBC television show: Pentangle - I've Got A Feeling (In Concert), 4th January 1971) Watching McShee's facial expressions is a joy. Watching Thompson meltdown solos is also a treat. 3.) The Trees They Do Grow High (traditional arranged by Terry Cox - John Renbourn - Danny Thompson) - 3:48 rating: **** stars I'm thinking this may be McShee's best performance on the album. The plotline to this traditional ballad is heartbreaking (older woman married to a younger man who dies young (16), leaving her to mourn his death and loss of innocence). McShee manages to effortlessly capture all of the anguish and loss. Just an extraordinary performance and one of two songs on the album that keeps popping into my mental playlist.. "Jacqui sings this group version of the traditional ballad which is also known as "Lady Mary Ann" and "Lang a Growing." 4.) Moon Dog (Terry Cox) - 2:42 rating: ** stars 'Moon Dog' was Terry Cox's moment in the spotlight and it was different. Basically just Cox accompanying himself with percussion instruments, it's a loving tribute to an American musical eccentric whom he apparently had never met and didn't actually know that much about. The liner notes tell you all you need to know about the song: "This number by Terry is dedicated to a blind American street musician who used to play in the doorway of the old Basin Street Jazz Club on West 50th Street in New York City." He actually went by the name "Moondog" and was born Louis Thomas Hardin and over fifty plus year "career" recorded at least twenty albums. (I've heard a couple and they are experimental and challenging, featuring many of his self-made instruments.) 5.) Hole in My Coal (Ewan McColl) - 5:19 rating: *** stars Well, 'Hole in My Coa' was a surprisingly funky instrumental. Jansch nailed down the basic riff while the rest of the band got to go crazy around it. By the end Thompson's extended bass solo gives him ownership of the song. "Instrumental based in Ewan McColl's sing "The Big Hewer". John, Terry and Danny take solos on a riff played by Bert."
© Scott R. Blackerby October, 2024
© Scott R. Blackerby |
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as a solo act and had an interest in the blues. Lead singer Jacqui
McShee had a background in folk and traditional music. Lead
singer/guitarist John Renbourn had also recorded as a solo act and was
interested in English folk music. Drummer Terry Cox and bassist Danny
Thompson had jazz roots including a stint with Alex Korner and Duff y
Power's Nucleus. Those diverse interests were all on display across
the album's eclectic mix of traditional numbers, cover tunes and band
originals. One of the album's most interesting facets is how well
these different influences and areas of interest merge. Yeah,
exemplified by Cox's tribute to the late American musician Moondog 'Moon
Dog' and
their cover of Charles Mingus' 'Haitan Fight Song' where the focus is
clearly on bassist Thompson, the performances occasionally sound like solo
efforts with the rest of the band relegated to backing players. Still
those are the exceptions. Most of these tracks come across as unified
band efforts. Pentangle was certainly blessed with three great lead
singers in Jansch, McShee and Renbourn and a pair of killer guitarists in
Jansch and Renbourn. As for the highlights; hard to pick, but my
top-three performances would be 'Bruton
Town' which came close to rocking out with an all acoustic instrumental
line-up, the
remake of Jansch's 'A
Woman Like You', the traditional ballad 'The
Trees They Do Grow High'
(perhaps McShee's finest performance) and (bonus pick) the
almost raga-influenced 'In
Your Mind'.