The Pentangle
Jacqui McShee's voice must
have been at its purest on this album. The feel is traditional and indeed
about half of the tracks are from the tradition. Good stuff, well recorded
and played one of the better albums.
Original Sleeve Notes: Has there ever been a first LP which was not "eagerly awaited"? Visions of Pentagular Faithful squatting, swollen-eyed and morning-mouthed, outside garish Wilson Picketted shop windows. This record has been a long time in gestation but in the wonder of its birth all the waiting is forgotten. The nicest thing about it all lies in the fact that the whole process has been public and, through earlier records, can be recalled at any of its stages. As solo performers the ingredients of the Pentangle have won the admiration of the public and their fellow musicians. Bert Jansch, owner of the most mis-pronounced name in Britain, and John Renbourn must have more imitators than any other contemorary guitarists. Their several solo LPs and the beautiful "Bert and John" LP (TRA 144) are all logical steps toward the record you are clutching in your hand. Jacqui McShee has also survived a prolonged baptism of fire in the clubs, concert halls and pubs. If you own, as you should, John Renbourn's "Another Monday" LP (TRA 149) you will already know her. She has developed her reputation both as a blues-singer and as a traditional folk-singer. If you are in the spirit for mature investigation check some of those records you treasure the most. If they credit the musicians - and they probably don't you will find the names of bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox cropping up with bewildering regularity. They are two fifths of the Pentangle. In a brother's girl-friend's flat over coffee and behind forgotten conversations, we listened to records a year ago. Slowly the witless chatter fell into the black carpet and the music filled the spaces where it had hung. This was a first introduction to Bert Jansch and a week later the same music danced into the aromatic night air from a rusting ship within a few weeks' reach of legislation. In the following weeks john Renbourn and Jacqui joined the mornings and those listening wrote gratefully. The Pentangle have been heard this year on Radio One. It would have made your Sunday afternoon brighter if you had heard them. If you did, you will be buying this record anyway. Is it necessary to talk of "fusions of traditional folk-forms", "musical innovations", "collective explorations" and the like? Answer "No" in sixty words or less. Play this record to those you love. JOHN PEEL
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