Bert Jansch

The Guitar work on Smokey river is so good. This albums feels like would I listen to if I was a hobo drifting trains. But on a serious note, I feel like I can feel this albums influence on a lot of my favorite music. Needle of Death is just amazing honestly. I find it absoluely haunting. A proper rambling album.

This is so lovely. It's really understated, just a guy enjoying his guitar and a few songs. There are errors throughout, dud notes, something a bit off key, but that makes it better. It's like using something that's been handmade rather than manufactured. A log cabin in among a bunch of condos. Really relaxing, I like lots.

His difficulty with finishing songs cleanly is the big clue to my untutored ear that this was a home recording. This is a lovely album.

Love this album considering the time of release and clear influences on musicians that followed. The songwriting is very good and the guitar playing in particular is amazing.

This one is also terrific. I'm surprised Bert has never come up during the Nick Drake renaissance since they are cut from similar cloth. Lots of small instrumental interludes in between longer songs.

Men with acoustic guitars has to be one of my favourite genders

Loved this album. Beautiful guitar parts and some dark lyrics to match. Simple and effective songwriting, an album that is never afraid to let the guitar tell the story.

This was great. Love a guitar picker. I've never heard of Bert Jansch but I'm a fan now. This is how I hear myself when I pick up a guitar, just before I touch the strings...

I love love love this. Hauntingly beautiful. Gorgeous Tim Buckley-esque sound.

Nice guitar! And sad, raspy voice. It reminds me of a person I met in Vietnam, who used to play the guitar in bars around the West Lake. He was blind, but he was the damn best guitar I'd ever heard.

Wonderful handmade music - feels like a concert in a small Club

How can you not love an honest man and his guitar?

super cool, and kind of interestingly timeless. it certainly doesn't feel like anything i'd think of from an album from 1964. i really like that - and this is gonna sound maybe kinda pretentious, but here goes - it sounds like he's playing on old strings. like, on a lot of albums you can just about smell the new nickel, but these just sound like whatever he had on - no super tinny highs, not ultra-clean or anything, just a great warm sound.

Listened on Thursday when I was in a bad mood and this largely slid off my brain without leaving an impression. Listened again today when I was more receptive, and I had a much more positive experience. There are a few artists I love that have a similar guitar sound, but tend to be instrumental. Fave track " Instrumental Medley 1964" which is possibly a bonus track rather than being on the original album? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

skillful bluesy folk, inject this shit into my veins. surprised he's British

The guitar on this album is phenomenal, and songs in short snippets really sells it for me. I think an instrumental version of this elevate it even further, but it is still a fantastic folk work.

The true genius behind this album is Jansch's ability to convey so much of the emotional spectrum with such spartan tools - acoustic guitar and voice, but mostly just guitar. Yet with his fingers he coaxes out joy, melancholy, sadness and mystery. It sounds fresh now; upon release this must've gone off like a depth charge. Highlights include 'I Have No Time', 'Casbah', the ostensibly sweet ode to addiction 'Needle of Death' and superlative closing instrumental 'Angie'.

This is great. His voice is really interesting and emotive, and his guitarwork is phenomenal and super forward-thinking for having come out in 65. I can hear influence from him on a lot of modern stuff I listen to.

Never heard of Bert Jansch before. Very fitting sound for the 60's. Not bad by any means, but not an album I would seek out.

I'm never sure what yo make of undemanding albums like this. One's relationship with them is less about the music itself, and more about the circumstances in which it meets one. I'm in my office on an unexpectedly sweltering November morning, construction work assailing me from the street. I can appreciate Jansch (whom I had heard of, a lot, but never heard) clinically, but there's little chance of a musical epiphany or whatever. I'll try to remember to listen to this at home some evening and reevaluate more closely. For the moment, perfectly fine for what it is.

I’m not a fan of folk so I didn’t have high expectations at all but this is the best folk album I’ve ever heard. Sparse is the word here, it’s only Bert and his guitar, but he fills the room with glorious music. His guitar playing is also exemplary, so good I had to listen to this twice.

Paul simon ish guitar playing. Very old school pick type playing. Chill music.

Classic sound, never heard off the artist

My introduction to Bert Jansch was by way of Yo La Tengo’s fantastic cover of “Needle of Death” on their Today is the Day EP from 2003. In fact, I can thank Yo La Tengo for turning me on to a lot of great music over the years and the fact that they are excluded from this list while the likes of the Zutons and the Beta Band are included (in the case of the Beta Band more than once) is an omission that’s bugged me consistently while working through this list the last two years. The aforementioned “Needle of Death” is the highlight here for me, a harrowing tale of life cut short by heroin use. Neil Young fans may notice some similarities with “Ambulance Blues” from On the Beach. As a whole, Jansch’s self-titled record is impressive with its intricate guitar playing (a clear influence on the work of Nick Drake) and often somber songs, even if you might have to be in the right type of mood for it.

The album's production value is intimate, simple, and unpolished which compliments the artist-and-their-guitar format well. The tender musical delivery belies how serious the lyrics are. While the album fits in somewhere on the folk spectrum between Nick Drake and Dylan's earlier work, it doesn't really rise to the greatness of either of those comparisons in my armchair music critic mind.

Sluggish.

Angie (instrumental)

Soy muy fan de Angie, el temazo que cierra este disco pero la verdad nunca me había clavado a escuchar un disco entero del viejo Bert. Qué tonto he sido. Un disco crepuscular, para ver el sol desaparecer y que pinte el cielo como sus arpegios pintan los espacios dentro de mi mente. Es mejor que un calmante psiquiátrico. Muy bonito. Hay varios momentos muy oscuros. Se agradece. Uno de los mejores guitarristas de la historia. Le dio una vida nueva a esa tradición de ambos lados del Atlántico. Country, blues, folk céltico, anglosajón, etc. Tradición que luego veo ecos, no sé si por casualidad, en los corridos actuales.

I loved it. Good melodies and very folky with great guitar playing. This is exactly my kind of jam.

Muy folk, tranqui, melancólico boni. Me gustó

Great album

Göttlich bodenständig vom ersten Ton - warum kannte ich diesen Namen bislang so gar nicht? Warm, virtuos, tief wurzelnd, wunderschön und lyrisch verfangend. Hierfür lernt man ein Instrument. So good so true. 4.7

Großartige Entdeckung ich ahnungsloser

Sensacional. Vários vocais legais!

Bert Jansch was a fantastic guitarist and is a personal inspiration. This album has that certain ”contained experience” which captures me tremendously

Fantastic!

les chansons instrumentales mais juste un pur bonheur c’était inattendu merci Bert

Really amazing guitar work. So impressive!

That was awesome. Not just good music, but inspiring. It made me want to pick up a guitar and try my hand at this kind of honest simple expression- which I have never done. That's a feat, if you ask me. Wonderfully evocative; I was listening while building spreadsheets in a corporate cubicle but it felt like I was strolling down that London highway right alongside him. What a breath of fresh air. And the range of quality is really quote tight here, not much difference at all between my favorite and least favorite songs here, and I struggle to pick any as a low spot. Maybe Courting Blues is a little half baked for its length? But oh well I was still tapping my foot and nodding along happily. Highlights: I Have No Time, Needle of Death, Do You Hear Me Now, Angie Lowlights: Courting Blues

Incredible talent - was really taken by this. Both influenced by a lot and clearly a huge influence on a lot of other people. Loved it.

This was a pleasant surprise. Listening to the jangly guitar transformed a foggy afternoon from gloomy to hopeful. Even the song about famine (I Have No Time) was jaunty. The mood turned dark by Needle of Death. Why was this song not in Trainspotting? The tune belies the words in Do You Hear Me Now? The skies darkened as his songs did the same. My enjoyment persisted. Jangly chords and mournful lyrics. A perfect meeting of the right record at the right time for me. Mission accomplished, book. This WAS an album I needed to hear.

I can't believe I'd never heard of Bert Jansch. This is exactly the sort of thing I love and seek out, and apparently he influenced many of my favorite musicians. This is classic cafe singer-songwriter music, a voice over guitar, but wow, what guitar playing! I can hear the influence on artists like Donovan, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkle, and even Elliot Smith. A really lovely album I will definitely be coming back to. A surprising 5/5 for me despite never hearing it before now.

Truly beautiful

Soft guitar and earnest vocals. Will always love that combo.

10/10 absolutely beautiful from beginning to end it’s so easy to get lost in the majestic sounds he can make with his guitar

loved it!

I put off listening to this one for a while, not being familiar with Bert Jansch and assuming he wouldn't be the type of folk singer/songwriter I would be into. Totally wrong; I really liked this record and it's something I definitely plan on coming back to. So many of these guitar licks would sit right at home on an Opeth album.

ferocious. wish there was more folk on this list.

This is another new artist for me. It's a lovely folk/blues album very reminiscent of Nick Drake, one of my favorites. Bert Jansch has a rough but haunting voice that blends nicely with the melancholy of the album. Despite the charm of his voice, however, I prefer the songs where he doesn’t sing but allows his excellent guitar work to shine on its own. Angie and Casbah are my favorites. I'll be putting this album into my general rotation.

Way ahead of its time, singing about dark subjects like mental health set to beautiful acoustic guitar.influenced so many artists, especially Nick Drake.

This was great. I loved it. Better than Bob Dylan. Fave Tracks: Strolling Down the Highway, Smokey River, Finches, Do You Hear Me, Running From Home 4.6/5

Excelente disco folk! Altamente recomendado

I kind of love it, even if the occasional voice twang is a bit too much. His voice reminds me of the dogs in the Aristocats.

Fantastic guitar work. Hard to believe it sounds so good given it was recorded in a reel-to-reel in a house (according to Wikipedia).

Ooooo. A friend of mine, Michael Wexler, is a singer songwriter now. Got a couple albums. One of the reviews called his guitar playing Janschian which always struck me as funny. Like the average person knows who Jansch is. Guess I’ll find out for myself now. Huh. Yeah, that’s a fair assessment. I’d call his guitar “Mike Wexlerian” if I didn’t know better. Kinda reminded me of Phil Ochs if Phil was better at guitar and worse at poetry. But all around very cool. Will definitely add to my collection Songs added to Spotify: 4

The guitar on this album is phenomenal, and songs in short snippets really sells it for me.

I've never heard of him. Was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Somehow more captivating than other folk albums on this list.

Puh, da kann einer Gitarre spielen! Vote 5

Meant to only listen to one before bed but was blow away and had to listen to the whole thing. Rating: 4.8

Bert Jansch's self-titled debut album, released in 1965, is a seminal work that solidified his reputation as one of the most influential figures in the British folk music revival. The album showcases Jansch's virtuosic guitar playing, distinctive voice, and songwriting prowess. Here's an in-depth review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with the album's pros and cons. Lyrics: The lyrics on "Bert Jansch" are characterized by their introspective and often melancholic nature. Jansch's storytelling is vivid, drawing listeners into a world of troubadours, lost loves, and existential contemplation. Tracks like "Strolling Down the Highway" and "Courting Blues" exemplify his ability to craft evocative narratives with a sparse yet poetic style. However, some may find the lyrical themes somewhat repetitive, as many songs explore similar themes of love and loneliness. Music: The musicality of "Bert Jansch" is where the album truly shines. Jansch's fingerstyle guitar playing is nothing short of masterful, showcasing intricate melodies, complex chord progressions, and dazzling fingerpicking techniques. His innovative approach to the guitar, influenced by traditional folk, blues, and jazz, sets him apart as a true pioneer of acoustic guitar music. Standout tracks like "Angie" and "Needle of Death" highlight his technical proficiency and emotional depth as a musician. Production: Produced by Bill Leader, the production on "Bert Jansch" is understated yet effective. The album has a raw, stripped-down quality that enhances its authenticity and intimacy. The focus remains squarely on Jansch's vocals and guitar work, with minimal overdubs or embellishments. While some listeners may prefer a more polished sound, the simplicity of the production allows Jansch's talent to shine through. Themes: Thematically, "Bert Jansch" delves into the human experience with a sense of wistfulness and introspection. Songs like "Oh My Babe" and "Running From Home" explore themes of longing and displacement, while others like "Veronica" and "Do You Hear Me Now?" touch on the complexities of romantic relationships. Throughout the album, there's a pervasive sense of longing and resignation, reflecting Jansch's own experiences and observations of the world around him. Influence: The influence of "Bert Jansch" on subsequent generations of musicians cannot be overstated. Jansch's innovative guitar techniques and emotive songwriting have had a profound impact on artists across genres, from folk and blues to rock and beyond. His fingerstyle approach to the guitar, characterized by intricate picking patterns and unconventional tunings, has inspired countless guitarists, including luminaries like Jimmy Page, Neil Young, and Johnny Marr. Moreover, Jansch's willingness to explore diverse musical influences, from Celtic folk to Middle Eastern music, has helped broaden the sonic palette of contemporary folk music. Pros: Virtuosic guitar playing: Jansch's technical skill and innovative approach to the guitar set a high standard for acoustic musicianship. Introspective lyrics: The album's lyrical content is rich with imagery and emotion, drawing listeners into Jansch's world. Authentic production: The raw, unvarnished production enhances the album's intimacy and showcases Jansch's talent without distractions. Lasting influence: "Bert Jansch" continues to inspire musicians decades after its release, cementing its status as a classic of the folk genre. Cons: Repetitive themes: Some listeners may find the album's lyrical themes of love and loneliness somewhat repetitive. Sparse arrangements: While the minimalist production highlights Jansch's talents, it may leave some craving more dynamic musical arrangements. Limited sonic variety: The album's acoustic guitar-centric sound may not appeal to listeners seeking more diverse instrumentation or sonic experimentation. In conclusion, "Bert Jansch" stands as a timeless masterpiece that showcases Bert Jansch's remarkable talent as a guitarist, songwriter, and storyteller. With its introspective lyrics, virtuosic musicianship, and enduring influence, the album remains a cornerstone of the folk music canon. Despite its minor shortcomings, "Bert Jansch" continues to captivate listeners with its timeless beauty and emotional depth, solidifying its status as a classic of the genre.

Beautiful acoustic guitar arrangements that inspire and entertain.

Amazing. Never even heard of the guy.

I didn’t get to finish this whole album yet, which is unfortunate because so far it’s the first artist on this list that I was entirely unfamiliar with that I actually really enjoyed. Great songwriting, some really good guitar work, just all around good music. I will definitely be returning to this and listening to him more.

folksy brilliance. loved it

I put the album and when it ended I realized I didn't even notice any of it happening. I put it again and I realized it's actually really good, I'm going to add it to my personal playlist of all the music I listen to.

beautiful

stuck deciding between 4 and 5 on this one for a while. After seeing what's up next I've decided not to be so precious about 5s. Fantastic rhythmic sense, both in phrasing choices when keeping the meter straight, and knowing when to cut a bar short. Not done as much on this album, but Jansch's thing of bending a note in a chord to match the tension that belongs in a melody (ex. the Old Triangle) is so cool. He can stumble & slur & scramble like living poetry is supposed to. One of very few people I want to hear do arrangements of traditional songs. Except not in Pentangle, I guess. Needle Of Death is great, & generated another great song in Ambulance Blues. The double tracked vocal (maybe?) at the chorus is incredible. music: appreciated. (⌐☸_☸)

Sometimes, a person and their guitar is all I need, from Skip James to Melanie to José González. And so, while looking forward to the Nick Drake albums, this a no-brainer. Have heard the name, but not the music - lovely! I needed to hear this, yes thank you. How had I not before? Makes me want to build my finger calluses again.

Really cool singing and acoustic guitar. Thats it. Beautiful album. 9/10

I'm a bit biased as I loved Bert- a legend in British folk. I missed a chance to see him live shortly before he died and have always kicked myself for it. This guy was one of the all time guitar greats. If you get chance what a documentary he did " Acoustic routes" where he meets some of his idols and plays with them.

A definite whole album vibe rather than songs that hit you individually. Love it.

This and Nick Drake have sold me on this slower, more intimate folk music. Bert is a great songwriter, and he is incredible at guitar. There are complex riffs and instrumental pieces throughout this album that were very technically impressive, hidden under the facade of simple folk music. There were several that I loved here: Needle of Death, Alice's Wonderland, Angie, The Casbah, and I Have No Time. Amazing album.

Absolute genius - would have been close to full marks even without the Scottish bonus point! Every song tells a story or evokes a feeling (or both!) and his influence is still being felt to this day - even by artists who may never have directly experienced his work.

Wow, lived this, so simple but speaks to the heart

Fantastic. Can’t believe this was produced in the mid 60’s

Bert Jansch was the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. Superb debut album with incredible guitar playing that influenced countless musicians later.

Enjoyable album, reminded me a lot of Nick Drake's Pink Moon

Amazing acoustic album. Will definitely listen to it again

Folksy and mellow. Very nice.

The album I'm listening to today is called "Bert Jansch" by Bert Jansch. A Scottish folksinger who looks to have influenced quite a long list of favorite artists with his mid 60s folk. It's pretty easy to connect Neil Young directly, which is to say I'm enjoying this. The confessional nature of the lyrics draw you in, and the guitar work is pretty dam spectacular. Reminds me of John Fahey with his guitar. It's a lovely album and I can see it ripple across many of my favorite folk artists.

I very much enjoyed the instrumental tracks. Amazing artistry.

Jansch er jo en helt for alle som spilte akustisk gitar på 60-tallet. Nick Drake, Paul Simon, Donovan, og mange andre har så godt som kopiert hele sin sound og spillemåte fra ham, og dette albumet. Bakdelen med dette er at det er utrolig vanskelig å høre dette albumet i et vakuum. Enten vurderer man det for høyt fordi det var en så stor influens på så mye bra musikk, eller så blir dette for kjedelig siden det finnes så mye mer komplekst musikk som kom ut ifra denne. Uansett synes jeg mange av sangene er kule, og det er ingen tvil om at det er bra spilling. Må bli en svak 4.

It sounds like every other singer-songwriter album. 7

L'he escoltat amb presses, queda pendent una escolta amb més profunditat. Folk de la vella escola, delicat i amb missatge. Bona execució amb les guitarres i un grapat de temes interessants.

Muy melancólico. Tampoco es como que sea mucho estilo el folk y tenga mucho que decir, disfruté la guitarra acústica. Mood: día sad en una milpa gringa.

pretty good actually! I liked it more than I expected, and the vibe it gave off really reminded me of the canadian national film bureau movies I was watching

Not bad! Folksy, with some Gordon Lightfoot vibes.

Didn't quite finish. Enjoyed it but didn't love it. 7

Pleasant folk album. Songwriting was good overall and I really liked the guitar work in some parts. However, it got samey and i definitely found myself getting bored towards the end. 7/10

A twangy and catchy album. 0RS

He’s a really good guitar player but not quite as good of a singer. It was still pretty good even if the songwriting didn’t blow my mind. Even the instrumental songs were pretty engaging though and there weren’t any songs I disliked although some of the vocal performances I didn’t love all that much. Overall the album feels very comforting and even on sad songs it feels hopeful to me. Favorite songs: Smokey River, Oh How Your Love Is Strong, Needle of Death, Rambling’s Gonna Be The Death of Me, Running From Home, Angie Decent 8/10

Pretty folk rock, I like his voice, the way it moves and flows from softer moments into more upbeat and rocking. skillful player as well. will come back

Travis picking, great guitar playing. Very Nick Drake like, must have inspired him a lot. Nice album.

Folk

I’m not generally a folk fan, but I enjoyed this album. There was a propulsive quality to it that carries each song into the next, and I very much enjoy that. Nice find

Excellent guitar work, the styling reminds me of Nick Drake and Donovan. Interesting voice too, as it's far from perfect, but seems to produce an image of a rambling guitar player, someone you might see playing your local pub on a Wednesday night.

Usually not a huge folk fan, but I really enjoyed this album!

It was a lot better than I was expecting. Made me wish I was sitting with friends around a campfire.

Disco que se escucha fácil, ideal para un viaje tranquilo en coche o un paseo de desconexion.

- vibrato is controlled but a little trying - strong genre album, variety and atmosphere are good - no standouts but consistent