Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Absolutely fantastic album! Bert Jansch's soulful vocals along with his masterful guitar work made for a really wonderful listening experience.
This is exactly the kind of stuff I came here for. Music made for the sake of making music. Zero expectation of success. Full of authentic, genuine soul, and raw talent. A revelation.
Bert Jansch - the technical guitarist for real guitarists. Len Houmous - the technical lover for real lovers! 4.7
To truly stand out as a acoustic folk artist, you need a standout voice and top tier plucking skills. Bert displayed both o. His self-titled debut. Remarkable guitar strumming on this record. I enjoyed the lyrics Bert gave us here but I caught my arm hair rising to his beautiful instrumental tracks. Dude plucks hard and I’m here for it. 5 stars
a HUGE missing link in my knowledge...mystical, starry, fingerpicky folk thats got some blues and jazz in the pot. a clear point of reference to so many future musicians its kinda crazy i didnt rly know anything ab him other than the name until just today ghjsdghjsd...theres deffo no nick drake without this guy and thats extremely Personally Vital. the strange and emotive lyrics are a highlight, but theres a reason why theres so many instrumentals...hearing him play rly is just that mesmerizing, and he's got a deep bag of technical and melodic tricks that make it feel like he's never repeating himself. honestly a little bit the best music ever made ghsjdshdj it just feels culturally rich and entirely personal and magical and earthy and calming and exhilarating and just ghjsdghjsd man. moments like this are why ive never even once felt the desire to stop doing this project thus far lol,
Arguably more enjoyable than Nick Drake. Wonderfully complex playing and beautiful singing.
Pretty incredible guitar work, bluesy folky vibe. Really raw and evocative. How is this guy not a household name
Fantastic guitar.
Excellent
A pal, with impeccable folk taste and an extreme understanding of guitar playing, rates Jansch as the GOAT in that department, and immediately on listening to this, you understand exactly why. It is so nice, and so tuneful, but above all there's a real melancholy and beauty to it. I did a bit of reading, about his life and addictions, and the whole package just adds up to an ineffable mix of joy and sadness. I think this might be the best thing I've heard for the first time on the Project.
Amazing. I was vaguely familiar with Bert Jansch before, but this was my first proper listen. What this man can do with just a passable voice and one acoustic guitar blows my mind. A real depth and ingenuity - virtuoso playing but in service of the song rather than just masturbatory showing off. I'll be coming back to this. Immediate 5.
Today’s album was such a lovely one. IF I was to lick the sound waves, I think they’d taste like hot chocolate. I’ve never heard of Bert Jansch before today, but this is that lovely kind of folk music like that of Carole King or Joni Mitchell that’s rarely seen any more. It’s like wrapping up in a warm blanket, but musically. After giving Rumours by Fleetwood Mac a perfect score yesterday, I felt it could only go downhill from there. But it didn’t. This was yet another delight.
This one came out of nowhere! I hadn't heard of Bert Jansch before, but I really liked this album. The history to it was really interesting as well, but it's just good old songwriting.
This is the 40th album I’m rating. Who is this this? I know nothing about this and I have low expectations. I’m expecting some country. Adding to my Playlist - Strolling Down the Highway, Smokey River, Oh How Your Love is Strong, Finches, Veronica, Alice’s Wonderland, Running from Home, Courting Blues, Casbah, and Angie. Not Adding to my Playlist - I Have No Time, Needle of Death, Do you Hear me Now, Rambling’s Gonna be the Death of me, and Dreams of Love. All in all I liked 10/15 songs. He isn’t a great singer but the composing is pretty good. Saved by those instrumentals.
A nice collection of tunes created with just a guitar. The lyrics are authentic. Can see his influence on modern music. 5/5
Really enjoyed this album, light folksy sound that was relaxing. Plus a new artist I’ve never listens to or even heard of before.
I've always dug this kind of music. The guitar playing is way above average. Pretty impressive considering this is a 4 track demo. Outstanding album.
Goddamn. Casbah is *hot*. Just lovely all around. Pure musicianship from a talented performer.
Wow, what a beautiful haunting raw album
I really enjoyed the songs without vocals. Maybe, I am unrefined or not cultured enough, but I just didn't get or enjoy this guys vocal choices.
No wonder Jansch has been an influence on so many guitarists (including Jimmy Page and Johnny Marr)—his style is a blend of all sorts of techniques and countries, coming together to form something unique. It’s so imperfect it’s practically flawless.
Great folk album
Brilliant stuff. Just one man and his guitar. No one else. No fancy production. Just brilliant. And if you wreathe Wiki article it shows what sh**s Led Zeppelin are!
Qué bien suena!!! No lo conocía, pero creo que ha sido inspiración para muchos músicos y cantautores que le siguieron. Me he guardado: "Needle of Death", "Rambling's Gonna Be the Death of Me", "Running From Home" y "Casbah" que es instrumental. Un gran disco que me hace reconciliarme con esta lista.
Bert Jansch was the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. Superb debut album with incredible guitar playing that influenced countless musicians later.
Fantastic. Can’t believe this was produced in the mid 60’s
Wow, lived this, so simple but speaks to the heart
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.
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.
A definite whole album vibe rather than songs that hit you individually. Love it.
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.
Really cool singing and acoustic guitar. Thats it. Beautiful album. 9/10
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.
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. (⌐☸_☸)
beautiful
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.
folksy brilliance. loved it
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.
Amazing. Never even heard of the guy.
Beautiful acoustic guitar arrangements that inspire and entertain.
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.
Meant to only listen to one before bed but was blow away and had to listen to the whole thing. Rating: 4.8
Puh, da kann einer Gitarre spielen! Vote 5
I've never heard of him. Was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Somehow more captivating than other folk albums on this list.
The guitar on this album is phenomenal, and songs in short snippets really sells it for me.
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
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).
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.
Excelente disco folk! Altamente recomendado
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
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 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.
ferocious. wish there was more folk on this list.
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.
loved it!
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
Soft guitar and earnest vocals. Will always love that combo.
Truly beautiful
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.
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.
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.
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
Really amazing guitar work. So impressive!
les chansons instrumentales mais juste un pur bonheur c’était inattendu merci Bert
Fantastic!
Bert Jansch was a fantastic guitarist and is a personal inspiration. This album has that certain ”contained experience” which captures me tremendously
Sensacional. Vários vocais legais!
Großartige Entdeckung ich ahnungsloser
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
Great album
Muy folk, tranqui, melancólico boni. Me gustó
I loved it. Good melodies and very folky with great guitar playing. This is exactly my kind of jam.
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.
Angie (instrumental)
Lovely and refreshing. I loved Smokey River, can't go wrong with a well-crafted instrumental number, and Strolling Down The Highway was also fantastic, as was Needle of Death. Simply, jolly good.
No idea what to expect with this, but it was really good. Some great intricate sounding guitar. I spent a fair amount of it trying to work out who he reminded me of and I could not work it out..... Any ideas? Strolling down the highway, needle of death, running from home, Alice's wonderland (riff sounds really familiar) and Angie were my favourites. Really good
I have read on his Wikipedia that he is a member of Pentangle, so I’m hoping that by praising this album, CMAT will notice me.
As someone born and raised in the UK, I must admit that British folk music is a genre I have not previously explored in any great depth. Going into Bert Jansch’s 1965 self-titled debut, I was certainly well aware of his reputation as a musician, but I had never actually sat down and listened to his work. The immediate impression the album leaves is one of extreme minimalism. The record is incredibly sparse, stripped back entirely in its arrangements, production, and performances. While I thoroughly enjoyed the listen, I wouldn't necessarily class the album, as a collection of songs, as "essential". Beyond the songs themselves, perhaps the primary reason this debut remains such a landmark is Jansch’s profound legacy as a guitarist - he went on to shape an incredibly diverse array of players, from Neil Young and Paul Simon through to Johnny Marr and Graham Coxon. This influence, for me, was the most striking revelation of the entire listen. Upon a first listen it is immediately obvious, if you are familiar with Led Zeppelin's catalogue, just how heavily Jansch influenced Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitar playing. If you listen to any of Page's acoustic performances with Led Zeppelin, and especially his live acoustic playing, Jansch’s distinct fingerpicking style shines through with absolute clarity. Ultimately, I found this album to be a pleasant, engaging, and eye-opening piece of musical history. Four stars. 1 "Strolling Down the Highway" (3/5) 2 "Smokey River" (Instrumental) (4/5) 3 "Oh How Your Love Is Strong" (4/5) 4 "I Have No Time" (4/5) 5 "Finches" (Instrumental) (3/5) 6 "Veronica" (Instrumental) (3/5) 7 "Needle of Death" (4/5) 8 "Do You Hear Me Now?" (3/5) 9 "Rambling's Gonna Be the Death of Me" (5/5) 10 "Alice's Wonderland" (Instrumental) (3/5) 11 "Running From Home" (3/5) 12 "Courting Blues" (3/5) 13 "Casbah" (Instrumental) (4/5) 14 "Dreams of Love" (3/5) 15 "Angie" (Instrumental) (5/5) Total - 54 Average - 3.60 357/1001 191/357 albums reviewed were new to me.
dit is nick drake maar dan YEEEHAWWWW cowboy
jovial, soulful, skillful, jumpy, snappy, percussive, driving acoustic guitar. interesting folk vocals. favorite song: needle of death.
Not on AM
Good little rambling album
This one was cool. James Taylor-esque
I like this! Took me a couple of listens, first go through I was more on the fence. Can see how Nick Drake was hugely influenced by this, which probably is why I like it!
Neil Young definitely listened to Bert Jansch
Nice!
I really enjoyed this one. It's up my alley - a folk tradition, just a man and his acoustic guitar. It's profoundly sad, but I really like it. I can hear a lot of traditional folk influences particularly in the instrumental interludes. I had no clue who Bert Jansch was, but I will absolutely be going through his catalogue. Playlist Pick: Angie. Does anyone else hear "Work Song" about 1:15 into it?
Bert Jansch influenced a lot of musicians. Nick Drake and Donovan were famously inspired by his guitar playing, dedicating and naming songs after him, or recording their own cover versions of his music. Neil Young and Jimmy Page took their influence from Jansch in a much more direct way. Neil has openly said that he realised, after it was recorded, that his song “Ambulance Blues” was essentially just a subconscious reworking of Jansch’s “Needle of Death”: “I picked up the melody from his record, the guitar part exactly, without realising that I had completely copped the whole thing.” Jimmy Page was a bit more blatant. I originally discovered Bert Jansch through Led Zeppelin. I was borderline obsessed with the song “Black Mountain Side” and Page’s insane acoustic guitar playing in that strange tuning. So when I found out that he had essentially lifted the melody from a folk musician, I had to check him out. Bert Jansch is one of the greats of the world of folk. There's a sort of bluesy twang to his folk guitar, which aligns perfectly with my taste. Songs like “Strolling Down the Highway” (my favourite song on this album) and “Rambling’s Gonna Be the Death of Me” (among many others) really lean into this blend of blues and folk. And he's a fantastic acoustic guitarist of course. You can hear his otherworldly acoustic picking skills throughout every song, but particularly in tracks like “Casbah”, “Smokey River” or “Angie”. “Angie” is the perfect example of how Jansch can make his guitar sing. He has a decent soft voice himself that works very well with his music, but many of these tracks don’t need a human vocal. He somehow manages to produce layers that give the full range of backing instruments and vocal melody out of just one acoustic guitar. Jansch didn’t write “Black Water Side”, it was an arrangement of a traditional folk song that had been played by many folk musicians. But he transformed it with his insane guitar abilities to something that sounded so unique that Jimmy Page created an entire Zeppelin song out of it. I’m glad he did, because it helped me discover Bert Jansch and this fantastic album.
I was not aware of Jansch but it seems evident that a lot of the folk scene of this era was. I knew I’d heard Angie before, which led me to wonder why Simon & Garfunkel titled it Anji; that then led me to the composer, Davy Graham’s version and some exploration of his work. Another excellent addition to 1001
Kinda sweet
This was great. 4/5
Been meaning to get around to Bert's music for a while, and this didn't disappoint! As the inventor of the "folk baroque" picking style, Bert delivers a unique and refreshing folk album, replete with really interesting chords and some great traditional folk stories.
Really enjoyed this. Great guitar work.
The guitar playing is exceptional, vocals you could take or leave 4*
This is really nice. Pleasant plucking and a friendly voice. Simple and stripped down home recording.
Bert Jansch é um daqueles nomes que eu nunca ouvi falar, e que ao gerar na lista eu fiquei com baixas expectativas. Uma coisa é fato, seu estilo musical não é minha pira. Mas surpreendentemente, o disco me cativou e eu acabei gostando bastante até. Ajuda que a voz de Jansch seja bonita e agradável, e as canções por mais simples que sejam possuem instrumentais legais. Mesmo com instrumentalização simples do estilo folk, as composições são variadas o suficiente pra escapar da monotonia comum do gênero. Uma surpresa agradável. 4/5
A solid folk album that I had not heard before. Really liked this one.
One of the best surprises of this project so far and I'm over 900 albums in. Absolute guitar master with a beautiful voice. Reminiscent of Nick Drake.
Song construction and sound reminds me of Nick Drake, but with a touch more twang. Really like it. Never heard of him before.
Masterful guitar work.
The start of a great career, this understated, grass-roots album introduced the world (or a very small part of it) to this genius folk guitarist. Includes the chilling 'Needle Of Death'.
Raw and beautiful throughout. There's a lot to be said for just sitting a musician and their instrument in front of a tape recorder and letting them go at it. It feels very intimate because of the lack of tampering or polish. Bert Jansch is something of a legend in the UK, mostly for his work with Pentangle, which I'd definitely recommend people checking out if they enjoy this.
Man with a guitar. Just chill folk, nothing really amazing but its nice.
Folky
una sorpresa... empezó mal pero me ha acabado gustando mucho. pienso que pudo haber inspirado a elliot smith y jeff buckley y tal
I enjoyed this album, it felt very intimate. Worth another listen I think
What time signatures are these songs in!? Good stuff, I liked the instrumental songs because even without lyrics the guitar had SO much feeling.
Folky, acoustic. Very good really. Needle of Death stood out to me but I enjoyed a lot of this.
3.9 Enjoyed quite a bit, dude can rip
I've heard the name but not the music, to my knowledge. Stunning. Bit like a more earthy Nick Drake. Really bowled over by his playing. Had no idea he was Scottish either. How could I not know that?
Dylan becomes good but forgettable when you take away the harmonica and improve his voice, although this is elevated by some solid guitar work.
like lying in the grass on a sunny day when it's just a bit not sunny and warm enough. plenty of acoustic guitar and works great for reading
That 60s folk guitar sound is absolutely gorgeous.
A beautiful album, that really highlights his guitar playing, which is excellent, and compelling vocals. It has a weight to it that few can generate. One of those artists tapping into the wellspring of earthly emotion.
Bravo Bert pour ton fingerstyle.
D’la belle tite guit acoustique
A very pleasant acoustic album. It has a distinctive but very subtle taste. You like it or you don’t notice it. It’d be very interesting if we could see him collaborate with someone else.
Such a chill and relaxing album, the guitar skills shown by Bert Jansch are incredible. I'm not surprised that I hadn't ever heard of this artist before since most of his debut release is instrumental tracks, but I'm glad I've been introduced to him. This was a great listen, but getting to hear it while sitting on the porch during some 70 degree weather in early March boosted its rating. Great for throwing something chill on in the background.
A very pleasant acoustic album. I could have this playing in the background all day long and not get bored of it
I didn’t have high hopes for this (another artist/album I’d never heard of), but it’s very pleasant folk. Minimalist in a delightfully handcrafted way - just a singer and an acoustic guitar. It actually reminds me a lot of Nick Drake. A happy surprise. Smokey River, I Have No Time, Veronica, Needle of Death, Angie 3.5
Wasn't sure when it first spun up but ended up really enjoying it -- was good, soothing background music as I worked, enjoyed hearing the acoustic picking and his voice. Felt like a vibe I'd revisit on a chill day
Sobbing at Needle of Death so I guess it gets a 4 based on eliciting an unreserved dramatic emotional response
This is a wonderful little jaunt through the Scottish highlands. If you like instrumental/folk music, you should definitely give this a listen.
Scottish low-fi folk from '65. Influenced Nick Drake.
Unexpectedly good. Be sure to listen to the last song on the album.
I've often wondered whether Bert and Davy Graham thought about going round to Jimmy's house and, you know, had a word. This is an extremely enjoyable listen, from that strange British folk era. Bert can play, and you can hear his influence on so much of 60's music, for British rock and roll in particular. Nice too that he does Davy's Angie. A really good record and extremely talented artist and well worth a listen before you cark it.
8/10
a pleasant 40 minutes of finger-pluckin' goodness form the self-titled debut album of Scottish guitarist and singer-songwriter Bert Jansch. this was recorded by Jansch at the young age of 21, along with engineer Bill Leader, to a tape reel which he sold to the Transatlantic label for a meager £100. that's over £2,600 in today's money, which is better, but still pretty meager. I'm always kind of blown away listening to skilled fingerstyle guitarists, and the way they create sophisticated polyphonic textures on six independent strings. the counterpoint is pretty staggering at times! as a singer, Jansch is sometimes a bit dodgy (his pitch can be ever-so-slightly flat), but his skills with a guitar make up for it pretty well. there's even some short instrumentals which actually account for some of the best moments on the album. there's hints of jazz and the blues to be found in Jansch's style, an addition that further endears me to his work here; check out the interpolation of Nat Adderley's "Work Song" on his cover of Davy Graham's "Angie". strong 7/10.
Very chill, easy to listen to in the mornings
Really enjoy his vibes and guitar, this is some good folk, def worth listening to another time
I don't believe I've ever heard of this artist before. This is pretty neat. The instrumentals are particularly interesting. He's not the greatest singer, but it's not that it doesn't work for the songs either. I think I'll add this to my list of albums to revisit.
Folk music isn't usually something I like but I really enjoyed it!
The guitar playing on this album is very advanced for its time. It sounds so technically impressive, always something to latch onto in the background. Smokey River is an awesome display of that. His vocals are very sombre and sad. He's not one of the best of the era but still very good. It's a very good album overall.
Bert's looking at me like "who the hell are you?", and i'm looking back at him like "who the hell are YOU?" This album needs another listen because the rating should be 100% dependent on the creativity and uniqueness of the guitar style, given that it's 99% of what's offered by the album. He has some elements of an early Elliott Smith playing style which I really enjoy. Whether that floats an otherwise static album to a 4 or 5 is harder to say... 4 it is
-Really really sold folk. Exactly the kind of good, if 2-dimensional music that set the scene for Bob Dylan to really take it and run with it, but which is quite strong on its own merits. -Angie is a really interesting historical document in the development in three different Simon and Garfunkel Tracks, so that's neat. I'm gonna try to just do the new ones moving forward for fun. No plans for catching up this time, so that I don't overdo it.
I have a soft spot in my heart for traditionally-inflected folk music, especially when it wasn't slickly polished or recorded. This album checks those boxes and is a beautiful representation of the folk sound of the 1960s.
I recognised the name of Bert Jansch, but hadn't heard any of his solo stuff before. (Actually, I knew Needle of Death via the Yo La Tengo cover version.) So, this was a new experience, and rather enjoyable. Basically, one man, acoustic guitar, some vocals...a lovely stuff. I may not listen to it again, but you never know.)
Es un tipo con un guitarra y una grabación precaria y sin embargo parece mucho más que eso
Boppy folk tunes. This is not really my genre or taste but I appreciate this for what it is- well-crafted sweet songs with a touch of darkness from a gentler time. Great guitar playing, this feels real- he makes mistakes is sometimes a touch off, but that;s human. Wholesome
That guitar tho! Shreddin licks
easy to listen, the type of music everyone can enjoy 💙
It’s like Nick Drake’s music’s dad.
Chill listening vibes like when you’re sitting on your porch and just drinking your beer. Not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the music for what it is.
Stripped down simple sweetness.
Not bad. Not hard to hear how this influenced lots of people that came after, but to be honest I prefer them to this or people like Dave Van Ronk
Super, nekaj totalno nepoznanega! S fotke sicer očitno, da bo singer songwriter (jap, škotski!). Prvi komad je čist fletn ("Strolling Down the Highway"), se pa mal iznenada konča. Ta drug, ki je instrumentalen, je pa hud ("Smokey River"). Potem, honestly, so mal dolgočasni komadi. Navdušta me spet instrumentalna, "Finches" in "Veronica" (in kasneje "Alice's Wonderland", "Casbah", "Angie"). Komadi z vokali mi fulkrat zvenijo, k da ni vedel, kako jih zaključit, medtem k ta instrumentalni so bli pa vsi hudi in res izkazal njegovo spretnost s kitaro.
This is like the quintessential sound of singer/songwriter. Except for a little bit of bass, it’s just a dude with a guitar, and it’s a really comfortable sound. It sounds like sitting by a crackling fire in a snowy winter. Really just a pleasant time. Favorites: Oh How Your Love Is Strong, I Have No Time, Needle of Death
Pretty lovely. Great lyricism, expert guitar playing, smart songwriting. It's perhaps a little dull and a little repetitive, but at the end of the day it's beautiful and highly influential. An album I've always enjoyed. Stand-out track: - Needle of Death
I admit to never hearing of him before. Really liked this album
when I was in middle school I took one guitar lesson and when I didn't sound like this I cried and quit
Really digging this, clearly the inspiration for Donovan and Nick Drake. Phonomenal compositions, pleasant voice, great authentic sounding guitar playing - production quality is up close, honest and pure. Amazing stuff
Scottish folk leader of the pack.
Det finns ett vemod som är svårt att inte känna av genom hela. Väldigt äkta, väldigt ärligt, skottskan är toppen
Lovely on a rainy day.
There’s something delicate about Bert Jansch. Very intentional and it works.
I had no idea that Simon and Garfunkel covered this guy
Enjoyable. 4 stars
Very much up my street, perhaps a little repetitive?
I can hear the influences of a lot of singer songwriters in this album, Elliott Smith especially. Bert has quite a haunting voice that adds an edge to these folk songs, and his guitar work is very textured and exciting.
8 points out of 10 !
I like Bert Jansch. This album for me is three five-star songs and a lot of other stuff that is merely good.
Kinda Nick Drake-y
When it's good it's really great, the rest is lukewarm.
Solo guitar twiddling and mumbling can be hard work. Fortunately this has a really honest, effortless vibe. It's absolutely timeless and gives strong Nick Drake vibes. A really pleasant surprise.
Solid, better than most Dylan.
Really beautiful man and his guitar. I really liked the simplicity but also the melancholy he's able to portray with only his guitar. Lovely stuff.
Loved Running from Home Never heard of Bert though very much my style of folk Listened twice yesterday
kids in williamsburg wish they sounded half as good as bert
Awesome!
Nice mellow music, love the simplicity of guitar and vocals.
An amazing guitarist, and I enjoyed the songs.
I had a significant gap between my first listen of this album and writing the review, and unfortunately I really did need another listen to jog my memory. It’s a shame I somehow put this in the mental filing cabinet rather than having it stick a bit more firmly, as it’s really a delightful listen. I was extremely surprised to find out Bert Jansch was Scottish, as both his spectacular guitar work and his vocal style reminded me strongly of the American folk tradition, in Doc Watson and Woodie Guthrie respectively. Listening further though, I could pick a few affectations on lyrics that reminded me of probably the only other Scottish singer I’m familiar with, Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull). Overall fantastic listen, near enough to a 5 that I may rate as such in retrospect.
Was only vaguely aware of Bert prior to listening to this album. Really liked the pared back home recording vibe of Bert & his guitar - the playing in particular is excellent - especially on the instrumentals when he really gets going.
A dark folk style that is a template for the the spare, brooding, and introspective approach of Nick Drake a decade later. Bert Jansch is an exceptional acoustic guitar player, incorporating diverse influences including Spanish, folk, and even some blues. Some of the more interesting tunes are those without words - such is the strength of his playing - like "Angie" and "Alice's Wonderland". A great folk record that is many years ahead of its time.
never heard before - incredible playing here, made for me
This record feels effortlessly timeless - just a man, a guitar, and songs that sound carved out of old wood and late nights. His playing is sharp but never showy, his voice plain yet full of soul. There’s a quiet confidence here, the kind that doesn’t need polish to hit deep. Simple, honest, and beautifully grounded.
Great album. Does one thing and does it well. Normally I'd call that one-note, but it's a good note and he's really good at it. Still gets dinged, but pleasant, stripped down acoustic guitar with some instrumental mastery thrown in.
You Don't Seem To Care That Your Love Is Blind 1001 Albums Generator 150 (10/29/2025) 150 albums in! Man, this Bert Jansch can really play the guitar huh? Am I crazy for thinking that parts of this guitar work are almost reminiscent of, like, John Fogerty style American Primitivism? This is also an album with quite a wide array of sounds, from the bluesiness of Strolling Down The Highway to the very gentle, beautiful instrumental Alice's Wonderland, Jansch kind of runs the gamut of what can be done with simply a guitar and a voice. Needle of Death is Jansch's best known song and it is one of the finest songs here. The repetitive finger picking pattern hypnotizes while Jansch sings heartbreaking lyrics about the death of his friend. I think that Bert is much better at guitar than he is at singing, but the vocals here are really not bad. Also, what these songs lack in length, they often make up for in substance. The sub-1 minute Finches is one of my favorite tracks here. However, the short length of the songs and the consistency of the palette here do cause the album to fail to stand out if one is not listening very actively. With that said, Bert Jansch is a pretty good album that is really easy and fun to listen to. 3.5/5, rounded up to a 4. Favs: Needle Of Death Alice's Wonderland Running From Home Least Fav: I Have No Time
Yeah, liked it. Chilled, but engaging, and with a sound that obviously impacted a lot of stuff that came later.
"Bert Jansch" is the debut studio album by Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch. Folk is the Wiki-listed genre. Yep. The album was made at the house of engineer and producer Bill Leader on a reel-to-reel tape recorder and sold to Transatlantic Records for €100. The album opens with "Strolling Down the Highway." Jansch with an acoustic melodic guitar. A very nice tenor voice. Sparse. A song about traveling and forging your own path. Six of the fifteen songs on the album are instrumentals. Instrumental "Smokey River" has an ominous guitar with some very nice finger-picking. "I Have No Time" is an anti-war song. The music is softer and has gentler vocals. A subdued mood. Jansch gets serious in "Needle of Death" as he sings about the death of fellow folk singer Buck Polly from a heroin overdose. Melancholy music and emotional vocals. Jansch moved from Scotland to London and wrote about his alienating and confusing experience in "Running from Home." The song has a 60's hippie vibe. The album ends with the instrumental "Angie." Jansch really showcases his guitar expertise. Multiple melodies. Impressive stuff. Jansch has a great tenor voice and is an excellent guitar player. These attributes are throughout this album. The music is mostly gentle and folk based but the music also has vibes of country and bluegrass. The lyrics are poetic with various subject themes including anti-war, death, traveling and love. The mix of vocal-based songs and instrumentals give a nice flow to the album. I really enjoyed this album especially for Jansch's talent. A recommend for everyone.
Very topical stuff.
Pristine, pure and austere – as early, obscure-but-influential folk music should be. Now haunting, now lovely, i still packs a punch, mainly due to the artful, subtle and accomplished playing.
Surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Definite shades of early Dylan and undoubtedly a source of inspiration for Neil Young. Rating 7/10
I'm not really a fan of folk music, but this album is really nice. Not so keen on the vocals, but the guitar playing is really nice here.
this is pretty Nice
This is a gem, and I'm pretty pleased to rediscover this album here, having lost my 4TB hard drive of music a couple of years back. Still recollecting, but the odds that you will forget some of the pearls in your previous collection are always around. So, I'm glad this came across. I used to listen to it on those dark and rainy days in my head, together with Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen. Luckily my days aren't that dark and rainy anymore, but still can appreciate this album that helped me through some of my hardest adolescent times. 4/5
Really good folk album
Ooh - much better than I was expecting. Lovely guitar work, sits nicely with Nick Drake. Debut album too - clearly Bert had a lot of talent. This was a good vibe for an afternoon in the sun. Lots of variation.
Really excellent. Liked a lot more than the Pentangle group record.
I am really pleased and surprised I liked this album. It is such a good record, coherent and very well developed. The songs are fantastic. It is, more or less, the kind of american folk music I really like. It's really good, for sure.
I like him reminds of Denver and Dylan
Just a man and his guitar. I love this kind of setup. You can hear every note; you can even hear his jacket rustling as he moves his fretting hand while he plays. Oh! To be as good at anything as Bert Jansch is at finger style folk guitar! FOUR STARS
A few tracks too long, but truly beautiful playing. 4/5
Great folk album! You can tell he was the inspiration for many folk greats that came afterwards
Never heard of this guy before. He made for some nice evening listening.
Actually really vibed with this, Just a guy and his trusty guitar against the world. I took a gander at some of the other reviews on here and the only negative ones were calling this boring. I mean sure, comparing this to a full on band, ya, the energy is gonna be different. This Bert guy is out here making an album with a single instrument and his voice, and was able to keep my attention for 2-3 listen throughs. These ipad babies are out here giving this album 1-2 stars have gotta fix their dopamine systems. (Hopefully no one in the group gives this 1-2 stars, if so, I'm sorry for calling you an Ipad baby (but not really)).
A lovely, peaceful album. I don’t know if I will return to it, but was a very enjoyable listen
I've never heard of Bert Jansch. I enjoyed this - his voice combined with the guitar playing, which is outstanding, really draw you in. Favorites: Oh How Your Love Is Strong, Running From Home, Angie Would I listen to it again: Yes
The guitar work is lovely and overall I quite enjoyed this as an album. And obviously I get why Jansch is Important. And I like folk music in general terms. The problem here is the faux American vocals and writing about Highways and so on. I understand totally why that was necessary back in the 60s – I remember Runrig saying that they felt they needed to do the same in their very early days. But to a modern ear, when it's acceptable to sound as if you're from Glasgow, or Derry, or Portree, or Romford, it just doesn't work in the same way this probably would have worked back in the Revival days. And I find that just a bit frustrating. Which is on me. I only listened once, which is never a great sign. And then I stuck Mànran's latest album on and listened to Kim Carnie and Ewan Henderson sing in their own voices, and, indeed, their own language at times. Which is what I want really. This is pleasant, but not something I'll probably go back to that frequently. I might, though, check out some other albums by Jansch. It's sort of a 3.5, and I shouldn't really give it a 4, but I will. Because I can.
A decent listen. Overall samey vibe. 'Angie' slaps tho.
nice background music
I've been simplifying some things in my life recently. This album is like the musical version of that. Excellent guitar playing paired with some solid lyricism and good enough singing. I don't think it's particularly special, though. Very good but just isn't elevated enough. The simpleness of it does help avoid anything that would bring the sound down, which is pretty huge. It also does let little things, particularly in the guitar playing, shine even more than they would if there was a full band. Favorite Song(s): Oh How Your Love is Strong
A respectful 4. I hear the talent and can appreciate Jansch’s influence in the folk/rock world. But I may not return much to this “simple folk” album as I, well, I really liked it when Dylan went electric.
This is a very good folk album and it should be judged on its own merit, however, if you do, wait a couple of years before you listen to Bob Dylan again. The moment you do Bert fades.
noodly, grafunkly but with a twist. nice
The first notes of Bert Jansch’s self-titled album made me think of a less sad Nick Drake. There’s the aimless plucking, perfect for a lonesome stroll along a riverbank as the autumn leaves die on the branches. There’s the soft voice singing about sorrow. There’s that indefinable sense of time and place you only get from a 60s folk album. Wherever there’s a sad guy with a guitar there’s a potential folk singer, and if he’s Scottish you might as well imagine the music playing over a Celtic funeral scene in a movie about moors and heather and lochs. There’s something about the Scottish (and Irish) that makes for good, sad folk music. Unlike the gloomier English, the Celts give their sadness a sense of the inevitable and therefore something to be lived with as opposed to dying of. We in the US make that mistake as well. There’s not a lot of market today for a man with a guitar to sing about his feelings, but the 60s seemed to be the best time for it. Sometimes the absence of anything else gets stifling, lonely and monotonous, but the lack of background noise really lets the listener feel like they’re sitting next to the artist. That’s what I felt listening to this album, the sense of walking next to the singer on a cold autumn afternoon watching the leaves fall. If that’s not art, I don’t know what is. Best songs: ¨Strolling Down the Highway,¨¨Needle of Death,¨ ¨Angie¨
i really loved this, beautiful and relaxing
Lembrou um pouco Townes Van Zandt.
Impeccable vibes, loved Angie especially
Pretty good album. I enjoyed the instrumental tracks a lot more than the ones with vocals. An entire album of instrumentals would’ve been a sure fire 5 stars Top Track - Smokey River
Did not know I was such a fan of British Folk. Between Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, and now this, I have a whole new genre to go explore. So for every Tupac or Ice Cube this list gives me, I get (hopefully) a little antidote to the hate with a Bert Jansch or Richard and Linda Thompson. This was a "delight." Sweet songs and fantastic virtuosic guitar that doesn't overstay its welcome. You can see how someone like Paul Simon would catch this as an influence, especially with him being in England around the time this came out. Happy to discover this!
Nice...
Belle virtuosité tranquille
There's something to be said for one guy and a guitar playing pretty songs.
This is a nice record, with some really intricate guitar playing and interesting vocals. Favourite tracks: Smokey River, I Have No Time, Running from Home, Casbah, Dreams of Love, Angie.
Surprised I have never listened to Bert Jansch before. Really enjoyed this. Going to seek out more of his work
There's a lot of 60's folk music and each artist brings his or her own flavour to the table. Bert Jansch has a pleasant voice, some great John Fahey-esque guitar playing and is from the same country as Donovan, to my surprise. It might not be my favorite album ever, but it was nice enough listening to it. A bit on the short side, but that is to be expected with albums of this era. The fact that this was self-made for peanuts makes it more special to me as well.
Pleasant folksy background music
Such a nice listen, I really enjoyed this one. Highlights: Running From Home, Needle of Death
Hadn't listened to this before, but I have heard of the artist. His guitar playing is incredible, and I quite like his singing too! Some of the shorter sketch type songs seem a bit unfinished, but apart from that I have no complaints. Can see myself listening to this a good bit in future. 8/10
This is a really nice album, some good ole geetar strummin. Somewhere between tim buckley and nick drake in my mind, I really enjoyed listening to him
I'm a sucker for a good singer songwriter album. This is also so stripped down to fingerpicking instrumentals/singing that is really shines out the talent.
I like the chill vibe. I found his voice to be very soothing.
Pretty good folk album which I feel will grow on me. I think I'll come back to this when the weather starts to get colder.
Givin me a hankerin for some mountain time!
I actually love the guitar in this way more than I remembered. Agreed with others around having problems with the vocals being bad often, but mostly really enjoyed the songs. Best for me was finches, that song was valid af
This really surprised me, stripped back and dark. Needle of death a highlight
Hadn't heard Bert Jansch before, but his guitar-playing is instantly classic to me. I like the idea of having a couple songs just be quick little acoustic ditties rather than making songs twelve minutes long to fit in all the noodling. Needle of Death is a really good track too.
Smokey River, Finches, Veronica, Do You Hear Me, Alice's Wonderland, Casbah, Angie. All great songs. Just great guitar, I can't complain.
Good stuff and then Angie comes at the end and your head explodes.
I had heard of Bert Jansch before, I think mainly Graham Coxon given him his dues, but had tended to dismiss him as a bit too folky for my tastes. Therefore this album was a pleasant surprise with lovely finger picking and thoughtful lyrics. I had heard Angie before, though possibly the Davey Graham version and that's a great end to a simple but strong debut. Several reviews have mentioned the influence of this on Nick Drake but I also heard shades of Elliot Smith here too.
Another folks musician I'm unfamiliar with. Great record.
Old school folk. Never heard of the guy but was really impressed.
Favorite Track: Angie
A great surprise. 60s folk with exceptional guitar work
This was cool in a 60’s bluesy way
Lovely!
Very interesting album. Standout songs: I have no time Needle of Death
Would there have been a British Folk revival in the 1960's and 1970's without Bert Jansch - I doubt it. This debut album shows what a talented guitarist and singer-songwriter he was.
Dude is obviously a gifted songwriter and guitarist, but I wouldn’t say this is what I would normally go for. All of the instrumentals were phenomenal and most of the vocal tunes were okay. I liked the little medley at the end too. 4!
Lovely album. Super refreshing to hear the stripped back, home made style of music. Great vocals and guitar playing. Needle of Death is perhaps the main highlight, but strong throughout. 7/10
Wow really great guitar work on this, some of these songs like “Angie” I could just listen to on repeat. Pleasant surprise from an artist I was unfamiliar with.
As it started I didn't care much for it, but it kept on growing on me.
Solid, raw 4 Star
7/10 British folk - pretty much one man and his guitar. No polish here, just the quality of the playing and the songs. Sometimes it's excellent, others it is a bit too folksy. Maybe music I prefer to play than listen to.
This album sucked me in. Cool mix of blues and folk. Enjoyed my commute. Would share this alhum
At the start, I dreaded the album. A man with a guitar and nothing else sounds like hell. I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t love the album but it has more emotion than I expected. This is not my kind of music but I didn’t struggle to get through it like I did with other albums. I won’t listen to it again but I’m glad I heard it.
Had heard of Bert Jansch, but never had actually listened to any of his work. Didn’t gel with me with a first listen, but sunk in on the next time around. Beautiful finger picking phrases and lyrics.
Incredible guitarist, I really enjoyed this. Some great instrumentals and "The Needle of Death" is a powerful lament. I can see his influence on many others and it makes me want to seek out Pentangle, the group he formed with another guitarist. Very solid folk album.
This is basically demo and it’s beautiful in every respect, his guitar work, his songs and his performance. Great stuff. Can’t wait to dig in deeper.
Solid folk with honky think flavor. The guitar can be very droning/repetitious, so the instrumental pieces seem tiring. I like his voice, it has a rich, melodic tone without being too formal. Lyrically, the songs paint beautiful pictures.
Surprised Bert Jansch has never been on my radar - he is a g-damn guitar hero. Astounding guitar work for a 22-year-old in 1965 and I can hear the influence on Jimmy Page and Neil Young and later virtuosos like Michael Hedges. That said the songwriting and vocals leave a bit to be desired, particularly in comparison to Nick Drake from a couple weeks back. .
Cool album - gave me Scottish Dylan vibes. Quite enjoyed
Quite good!
Excellent acoustic guitar rambling
Legit folk, loved it
Great folk guitar album. Love this, mainly because his playing is so great but the singing is good too.
This one turned out to be more interesting than I initially thought. It was not at all what I expected when I read "Scottish folk singer" before listening and I was a bit disappointed before I eventually started enjoying some of the more jazzy bits Standouts Oh How Your Love Is Strong Casbah Angie 4/5
Solid home brewed folk album. Needle of Death is the best song.
4.5 again!
liked songs: Smokey River, I Have No Time, Do You Hear Me Now, Casbah Really cool guitar work. For folk music, this was very good. 3.75
Feels like this would be a great personal soundtrack for a long quiet solo bus ride through a/the countryside. With just solo acoustic and vocals it's not dynamic or exciting, but I still kind of like it. Almost could pass as a slightly more direct Nick Drake? Outstanding guitar playing that I almost didn't even notice until a few songs in and then realizes this is some serious talent. I'm not that knowledgeable on folk which might be why I'm not familiar with him, and it's not a party album :) but I'd put this on again, this is nice. 7/10 4 stars
Well look at Gordie McLightfoot over here... I have not had a lot of exposure to folk but I listened to this while working in my studio on a rainy afternoon and it couldn't have been more perfect.
Banger
Some really great folk. His guitar playing is fantastic, especially on the instrumental songs which are gorgeous.
23/04/2025 It wasn't the best, it was harmless though.
Lovely twangy goodness ayup
Not familiar with him before but very impressed.
Wasn’t expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Very soothing.
This is very lovely and clearly influential--I hear echoes of many British guitar dudes. It's interesting to me that guitar-picking tunes that hearken back to the agrarian past in the UK are called folk and in the US are called country, but someone else can figure that out.
Meget chill, det trækker op at sangene har en passende længde og at albummet ikke er længere. Jeg troede, at det var fra 70'erne, så det lyder vel lidt forud for sin tid. Lille 4
Delightful old folk
Better than average 60s folk, mainly because of the guitar playing
Pretty dang good stuff here!
And some people think Lulu was the only thing coming out of Scotland in the 60s. A lot of jangly indie guitarists in the 80s only had Roger McGuinn to fall back on. Johnny Marr also had Bert Jansch.
3.9 Wow. Great stuff. Amazing for '65. Could of sworn I was listening to Nick Drake in parts. The second half of the album really kicks off, the run of tracks from Do you hear me Now till the end is impeccable, after a somewhat slow start.
Smooth
The entire album was truly an excellent display of Bert Jansch's skills on the guitar. I feel like to fully appreciate it I needed to be sitting under a tree along the Mississippi Delta whilst smoking a pipe or something. So you can imagine my surprise when I found out Herbert was actually Scottish. Perhaps I should have listened to this whilst drinking scotch and watching a bar fight at some dodgy pub in Glasgow instead.
Nice.
I have a soft spot in my heart for English folk singers. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5
Acoustic ramblin type beat. Good stuff but a little repetitive. That’s sort of the nature of this type of music though
I don't normally like folk so much. Especially when it comes to vocals with minimal instrumentation, here just a guitar, I think of false campfire romance. It's different with this album, even though the key data is the same. I enjoyed this album. I hope Bert Jansch, who I've never heard of, also enjoyed it. I might listen to the album again later. As one reviewer rightly wrote? Handmade, not manufactured. 4/5
I’m glad to see Bert’s on the list. I don’t hear him discussed much and that’s a shame because he makes such beautiful music. This album, probably his best, is absolutely wonderful. His style of playing guitar perfectly complements his energetic, yet weary voice. His melodies are gorgeous and the whole of the songs are so well written. I only wish the instrumentals felt as finished as the others. Otherwise, love this album. 4/5
At the start I was worried Needle of Death would not only be the only song I knew starting out, but the only one I'd like by the end of the album, but luckily the album shaped up rather quickly, and although I'll admit almost every song I like off this album feels like a copy of Needle of Death, Bert Jansch's guitar picking mixed with his somber and soft vocal style allows many of this songs to shine through as personal ballads of a tortured yet satisfied soul. Not unlike Joan Baez's debut, many of the tracks are sold by the sheer talent at play in every facet of the album, and with artful lyrics in tow, this is just an extremely solid folk album some great instrumentals to really fill out the package.
Enjoyed this! Has a sound a lot like Jim Croce. Not quite as good, but definitely enjoyable
Really good folk music. Particularly liked Alice's Wonderland and Angie. You can definitely hear this guys' influence all over bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, and The Rolling Stones. Some songs feel like unfinished ideas, but you still get the full emotional punch he was going for. Just a solid, great folk album.
New to me and I like it
I thought this was really good - I liked this.
Some very good folk. Needle of Death was powerful. I also really enjoyed the acoustic Angie at the end of the album.
Simply produced (recorded in a friend's kitchen) this record sums up all that was good about the early/mid sixties folk scene. Bert Jansch was a mighty fine guitar player and his beautiful playing is the main attraction. The songs are mostly self written, no doubt inspired by Bob Dylan, have depth in the lyrics. His voice is pleasant but not exceptional. But it is a very good album worthy of inclusion in this list.
Loved this! Very easy and chilled, and not a hint of harmonica
pertti, painuppa kiltisti vittuun. mahtava kulttiseuraamus kuulemma. "Jonestown" oli syrjäinen asutusalue Guyanassa, jonka perusti Peoples Temple, amerikkalainen uskonnollinen liike Jim Jonesin johdolla. Jonestown tuli kansainvälisesti pahamaineiseksi, kun 18. marraskuuta 1978 yhteensä 918 ihmistä kuoli ratkaisussa; läheisellä lentoradalla Port Kaitumassa; ja temppelin ylläpitämässä rakennuksessa Georgetownissa, Guyanan pääkaupungissa. Asutuksen nimestä tuli synonyymi näissä paikoissa tapahtuneille tapahtumille. Siinä teikäläiselle pikku kulttiseuraajakunta. suosittelen miettimään yhdesti/kahdesti ennen kun ruvetaan intoilemaan liikaa! needle of death
pleasant folk
Such pretty guitar work
Ik moet bij Bert Jansch altijd denken aan een Duitse of Oostenrijkse piano componist die het net wat minder heeft gemaakt dan zijn Weense kameraden uit die tijd. Deze man kan echter gitaarspelen! En hoe, trouwens. Hij hanteert zijn six-string met fluwelen handschoen, wat vooral prachtig hoorbaar is in de intermezzo's zonder zang. Zijn stem is ook mooi maar misschien wat minder dan zijn ambtsgenoten van de andere kant van de grote plas. Echter vind ik het Brits een verzuchting tegenover het soms zo ontzettend irritant Amerikaans van zangers en zangeressen. Positieve verrassing op de zaterdagmorgen. 8/10 Highlights Oh How Your Love Is Strong Needle of Death Do You Hear Me Now
Nick Drake vibes. Super chill.
This one is really pleasant to listen to. His voice is great and the simplicity of just him and his guitar really adds to the homemade feel. The instrumental tracks do a good job segmenting the album. Reminded me of Nick Drake. Favorite songs were Smokey River, I Have No Time, Needle Of Death, Running From Home, and Angie.
Solid 60s folk with some great guitar-playing.
Really surprised by how solid this debut from Bert Jansch is. I know him mainly by name but he sounds like one I just probably look into.
Ok, I'll do it. 4 stars. Tight arrangements and lots of talent. Instrumental tracks were highly enjoyable