Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Ok
I love the idea of Bert Jansch. And I love folk music. But the pieces don’t totally come together here.
its not bad, and sometimes id feel like i would be writing similar guitar parts if i was into fingerstyle, but its definitely not something you have to experience in your life. its not bad, its just not particularly significant NMN
I found this to be very intriguing. It bounced off a little on first listen, but then started to sink in. There are some very interesting/strange acoustic guitar flourishes, and some songs that feel influential on a lot of music that I value. I'll be back to listen to this one.
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.
Nice guitarplay, reminded me of the dwarf fortress soundtrack.
This was genuine pleasure to listen to. Great acoustic guitar chops.
Great guitar player — need to revisit this when walking in the woods!
like Donovan but not as poppy and a little darker. doesn't hold up well over time
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. (⌐☸_☸)
Lots of really nice stuff here, really pushing the limits of Some Guy With A Guitar. Great guitar work, great songs, somehow sounds a bit ahead of its time despite being a folk album from the mid 60s.
So so
3.5/5. Early discount Nick Drake.
It’s like the original Jose Gonzalez. Very ambient and bare. The passion is present and I can hear some Tallest Man qualities. However, I just don’t connect to it like I thought I might. Good, but did not connect with me.
Enjoyed it. A sparse record, but a lot to unpack. Mind boggled at it being bought by the record company for 100 Pounds and went on to sell 150,000 copies.
He's like a one-man Simon and Garfunkel. I like the acoustic energy, but I got lost in his voice. I think the vocals are a little too abstract and layered for my enjoyment.
The underdog success story behind the album is surely laudable. but I think that I don’t quite connect with this gentleman’s artistry. I read that he was also involved with Pentangle, and that album also left me cold.
Melancholy. Picked up a bit of a sad, English, Woody Guthrie vibe. Courting Blurs is the best song. Liked the album well enough to rate it a (2.6*s)
This album will get you ramblin, the simplicity is it's allure. It feels very pure, handmade, and heartfelt. Great guitar work, Bert's skill really shines in "Instrumental Medley" but a lot of songs on here are good. Channel your inner hobo and go hop some trains with this one. Enjoyed it.
Soft, simple album but Jansch shows his skill with some complex acoustic guitar playing. Thought there may be 2 guitars overlayed with editing but not sure. Angie was best song and I know I've heard it (or portions) of it before...I swear Led zep may have used it. I'd didn't love the album but I didn't hate it either.
A relatively pleasant country folk album featuring some fantastic guitar work. Didn't expect anything from it but I'm surprised how much I liked it. Despite that not something I'm going to go back to but glad I was exposed. 2.49 stars
Sweet guitar. Gentle morning background music.
some great guitar playing, some janky singing, i do like the homemade quality to this but felt it lacked something that made it special
beautiful
Great instrumentation and unique songwriting
💖 needle of death 🗣️ 7️⃣
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.
Nice quiet music
This is lovely.
I was trying to find ways to give this a favourable review but… He is very good at playing the guitar, but it’s not got much else going on for me. I’m not a fan of his tone and the guitar playing gets painfully twanggy at times. At the end I thought at least Anji was a song I recognised and maybe justified this album making the list, but no, it’s a cover. I’d just rather listen to something else thanks.
Итс олрайт. Не совсем понятно, почему этот альбом оказался в этом списке; по большей части звучит как относительно стандартное сингер-сонграйтер инди. С другой стороны, это 65-ый год, и история возникновения этого альбома интересная - видимо причина в этом. Лучшая песня - Needle of Death.
Nick Drake did it way better.
Really enjoyed the softer acoustic sounds and the soulful energy that comes through
come sottofondo niente male devo dire, mi piace il fatto che sia solo chitarra e voce senza troppi arzigogoli
Senza offesa Bert, ma capisco perché hai solo170.000 asoltori mensili
ottima musica di sottofondo per studiare, non mi defenestrerei se qualcuno la mettesse su, ma non credo tornerò a volerlo ascoltare attivamente.
Concilia abbastanza il sonno
È così semplice e puro, davvero bello. A volte stona un po’ ma va bene così. Un uomo e la sua chitarra soli contro il mondo a creare magia
probably really good if you’re into folk
folksy brilliance. loved it
The best of the “just a guy and his guitar” albums so far.
What can I say? The music is as honest as it gets, and the guitar playing is really interesting. For a bare bones folk record, it's hard to expect much more. 3 bastard babies out of 5 👶👶👶
Enjoyable, though a bit samey track to track.
The instrumental near the end was great! The rest was BORING.
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.
Good Sunday Jawn for sure
Nice acoustic guitar
Another mid album. 3/5
Looks to be some back to back 60s folk at play. Man, maybe I'm just not in the right mood for this, but this is just putting me straight to sleep. Some of it borders on interesting (e.g., Needle of Death) but generally I just don't care. 2 / 5.
Never heard of this dude. Not bad, little Bod Dylan vibe to me. Not a bad listen. 3 stars
We are certainly in a older, folky, singer/songwriter groove right now. Just not really my jam, kinda just sounds the same. Could have been 20 minutes shorter. This is one of those ones where there is nothing wrong with the music to bring it down, but I feel like a 3 would be overstating my personal enjoyment of the album.
The first few songs sounded like this could be an alternate sound track to Into the Wild. Really nice mellow guitar with a subtle voice to go with it. I actually really enjoyed this album, much more than I do normally with folk
This is some pretty solid easy listening. Will admit I had it on in the background while working so wasn't paying incredible attention, but some of these songs I found myself toe tapping to and really like the acoustic guitar work.
Mostly guitar, nice to listen to while working.
Goed album, mooie stem,
The album is too melancholic.
A little to dinner theater music for me.
Folksy, country, old time feel
It’s pretty good - and you can hear the influence he’s had - but it’s fairly samey at the same time
Amazing. Never even heard of the guy.
A perfect dinner party, background music album.
More 60s rock, not the psychedelic kind though which was nice. Honestly at times I got Andy McKee vibes since it’s largely instrumental just Bert serenading on the guitar.
Such a beautiful, enchanting and dark acoustic album. Can't believe I didn't know it before, great to know now. I need to find it on vinyl!
It's folk, folks! Beautifully crafted and relaxing tunes It is just not to be listen at work, while you have a ton shit of stuff to do :-( Solid 4, and the promise to give this another listening, a proper one ;-)
Simple, easy listening. The vocals aren't great but the guitar is nice. Nothing wrong with this. 5.5/10 (2.75/5)
Folk acústico agradável, mais um que será esquecido.
Nice playing.
Some really beautiful tunes
I had never heard of Bert before. This album was a good listen. It had the familiar feeling of sitting in a coffee shop listening to someone sprinkle my cup-o-ccino with a little bit of soul. Courting Blues was my standout track. I don’t know how often I would look for this one but I definitely would listen to again.
This was a cool album. I think I would have been a huge fan in 1965. Seems like others do this kind of music better now. This did lead me down a Roy Harper hole. Yes, the Hats off to (Roy) Harper guy. Did you know he is the singer on Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar"? I hope I just blew your mind like mine was blown last night. Anyway, chill stuff but I probably won't revisit this again. I liked it well enough to play it through twice.
This did nothing for me. Just sounds like very dated folk music
Beautiful acoustic guitar arrangements that inspire and entertain.
I don't much like his voice, but there's no denying his spectacular guitar skills. 'Angie' is the defining standard for folk/acoustic guitar afficianados. Needle of death is also great. Shame this album doesn't contain Black Waterside as well, then it would be worth 5 stars.
Sluggish.
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.
Singer / songwriter stuff. Not for me.
Folkie finger-picking. This was a bit of a drone tbh. The DIY demo roughness rules. And not in a good way. It probably makes more sense if you're on a downer. It makes Morrissey sound cheerful.
Two notes about Bert Jansch: 1) I had heard “Needle of Death” previously, from 1001 SONGS you Must Hear Before You Die, 2) I gave his band Pentangle 3 stars about a year ago, but had its faux-medieval folk grow on me long enough to buy it on vinyl recently. A remarkable performance, though more impressed by the guitar craft than the songs for the most part. “Needle of Death” is rightfully acclaimed for its terribly tragic lyrics and beautiful melody, but that really isn’t typical of Jansch’s self-titled. More blues than elegiac ballads. 3.5 HL: “Smokey River”, “Needle of Death”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Running From Home” April 5, 2024
Oh God. Insert Animal House guitar smashing scene.
I had to listen to this album 3 or 4 times before I really I had it. Kept weaving in and out of focus because I wasn't listening to it in the right setting. It is a good genre when you know the album but trying to listen the first time was hard. These albums are hard to rate because they are quiet enough you have to pay attention but so bare-bones it is hard. Not my go to music either but it can be really nice, needle of death is probably one of my new favourite songs from this project I though it was great. The rest was alright but I just don't think I would ever really go to listen to it. From what I have seen it is really high rated and quite influential but it's just not my kind of music. I feel terrible rating it a 2 but I struggle to do more. There were lots of guitar interludes but I have no idea if they are impressive but I did like the sound of Alice's Wonderland and Angie. Angie seems to be another really popular one and it is a great outro but I couldn't put it as standout because it is just instrumental and there are other good songs that I can list. Stand Out Songs: I Have No Time Needle of Death Dreams of Love
Meant to only listen to one before bed but was blow away and had to listen to the whole thing. Rating: 4.8
I really enjoyed this album, and I am not a folk music fan. His guitar prowess was impressive, very natural; I felt like I was listening on a front porch because of the mood, but his playing was amazing and heartfelt.
A nice relaxing folk album. Jansch is a monster on guitar, and I quite enjoyed the instrumental songs. Not much else for me to say about the record, it was good but nothing spectacular
I probably needed to be in a different mood for this one. Otherwise I could listen to it to put me to sleep.
Puh, da kann einer Gitarre spielen! Vote 5
bit boring
This ended up being a really evocative album for me. Not one I love, no, but one where, with just a guitar and his voice, I can just see the open London highway Bert's rambling down. And the way I figure it, how much you enjoy this album really plays into how much you buy the vocation. Either you're traveling right along with him down the road... Or you quickly fade back into reality, wherever you are. As for me, I'm firmly more in the camp where I can smell the early morning breeze.
Pretty damn good folk for something that was recorded on a reel-to-reel bought for 100 pounds.
I’m feeling a 4. There’s just something nice about this album to me; maybe it’s the more intimate nature of the production, and the ability to so clearly hear both him and his guitar in a way that just enhances both. It could be the fact that there are occasionally audible “flaws” on this album that just add to that sort of intimate nature. I think the weakest part of this album is its vocals, but I don’t think they’re ever bad; sometimes they’re just kind of plain or not as melodic as the guitar or the lyrics are asking for, but there are moments where it all clicks together super nicely. That guitar playing is kinda crazy though; it’s just fun to hear the strumming at work without the usual percussion or other instruments to cover up the more nuanced and technical parts to actually make it sound like that. Just some really nice acoustic stuff here, and it worked really well for me.
# 192 : meh! When your only claim to fame is that you're on this list... Not bad by any means, but not an album I would seek out, or want to listen to again. Smokey River was ok.
Not really my kind of music but an obviously talented musician and interresting music and lyrics.
Huhh
fine?
just about average
I love these 60s folk picks. This one is a gem.
This is a good album. Great songwriting, just good for the period. Love the exploration of chords. "Needle of Death" is such a beautiful, poignant song. That could be a desert island song for me. Just really touches something painful and sad. 3/5, great time had
I'm just so incredibly bored while listening to this...I'm not sure how else to say it
blues e folk, un uomo con la sua chitarra
Ja näyttävä teos.. Tulee mieleen MTAN tunti.. vanha oppilas vanha opettaja.. soitanta...
As a fan of Dylan, Seeger, Ochs and Van Ronk this seemed lesser. This sounded like a first attempt at song writing. The way Jansch resolves sequences seemed almost amateurish, as if he didn’t quite have the skill level to really accomplish what he was trying to accomplish. It wasn’t bad by any stretch, but it was just alright.
Lovely, gentle, not outstanding, but didn't outstay its welcome. Nice guitar work though. 3.5 🌟
giving nick drake
Not his best but still good
It was Willie Nelson without the panache - why is this here?
Really nice bit of guitar playing from this lad
Fine but dull
I've never heard of him. Was surprised how much I enjoyed this. Somehow more captivating than other folk albums on this list.
Warm yet sparse atmosphere with beautiful guitar picking and evocative yet simple vocals. Looks like the needle of death can get to folk singers, too.
Reminds me a lot of Terry Reid who may have been influenced by Jansch. A good album for a rainy day in the woods. I'll be coming back to this one
Soft acoustic songs. Twangy steel string sounds. Needle of Death is great but so is Casbah. Each song has a story
The guitar on this album is phenomenal, and songs in short snippets really sells it for me.
Cool, jazzy acoustic guitar. 4/5
It was ok. But I don’t know why it is on this list.
Blind album and artist. This was very generic and bland to me across the board that I could not stand it. My loss I guess if I don't feel the same as others but this is just how I feel. Not good.
Pleasant but no more. Best singer songwriter album ever is Ben Watts North marine Drive! Better than most Dylan ones on list though, 3 stars
Introspective folk singer-songwriter. Reading up on the legacy of Bert Jansch really makes me wonder why I have never heard his name thrown around given how many legends were inspired by him. I guess he's the folk "favorite musician's favorite musician". Amazing guitar skills and songwriting all throughout the album. His vocals were a perfect fit for every song, and I quite liked how occasionally he would kinda struggle to hit a note. It's a very "real" album in that sense. Classic of the genre. Would maybe revisit, but would also like to hear his other works.
A first-time listener here. This album seems to be one of those hidden folk jewels from the 60s. Its organic sound, thrust by the hypnotic voice tone and mesmerizing guitar, makes the album a fantastic piece of work. Somehow, it reminded me Jeff Bukley's Grace. One of the great records I got to know thanks to this list. Thank you!
Folk isn't really my thing but this was pretty good
Not my jam
Just not interesting to me
Happy Leap Day everybody! This is the only leap day that I will listen to one of these albums on. Will this album make this day memorable at all? No. I wouldn't say so. This is a perfectly fine and serviceable album. Does it belong on this list? Not really. This album doesn't really have a ton of cultural impact. Although, admittedly, Bert Jansch himself, despite not being super well known himself, did influence quite a few artists that I like such as Neil Young and Nick Drake. Nick Drake in particular is the interesting one since, prior to listening to this album, I saw quite a bit of comparison in the reviews to him for this album. After listening to the album, I can kind of see it. The voice felt more Bob Dylan-esque for the first song, but later songs did give me an idea as to how someone could make comparisons to Nick Drake. This album isn't as good as his stuff though. A decent portion of the album is instrumentals, which is an interesting choice. His singing is fine. The musical contents are a bit samey, but not the worst in the world. The writing is probably the best part of the album, but it's still just kind of solid. Overall, nothing I really feel like revisiting ever again, but a pretty harmless album that's significantly better than a lot of the "this shouldn't be on here" albums that I've already listened to. 3/5.
Reminds me of Nick Drake, though I still like Drake better. It might be worth checking out some of his other work. The album is OK. Worth listening to. But it didn't make it into my rotation.
I was just so bored. Maybe it was my mindset that day
Cool. 3.25
Haven’t listened to much “singer-songwriter” music from this era, but I’m really liking this one. The singers voice is beautiful. Feels like a 1960s Elliot Smith
This was a pretty enjoyable album. Folk is definitely not at the top of my list when it comes to music I enjoy, but this was way better than a good majority of the folk I’ve heard in the past.
Some of the 60s folk selections on this list are interesting. I liked this one. UK folk that sounds more like US folk. I especially liked the instrumentals.
This was decent. One song was pretty moving though also pretty in your face about what it was about.
piacevole
nice enough
Another sad boy and his sad songs
Decent folk for snowboarding to 3/5.
I found this really pleasant, albeit a little unmemorable. Nice acoustic guitar music for driving. More of a 3.5.
There is some pleasing guitar work on here that keeps the coffeehouse folk sound from getting too repetitive. Get some Arlo Guthrie/Nick Drake vibes. Overall pretty decent. 3.4
Wry folksy blues stuff. Not bad but was kind of bland.
It is a 60's folk album. Dude with guitar sings and it sounds pretty good. Bad? Nah. Good? Eh. It's simple but does it do anything at the level of a Nick Drake album? No it does naut. I enjoyed the listen but am content with leaving it there.
Disco de folk de un señor con su guitarra. Si te gusta este tipo de música, te encantará. Y qué guitarra.
Not a big folk person but this album was good. Felt like something I would hear today.
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
I've never heard of him, he seems country and folky, though, plus it's 1965 so it'll be slow and painful, I hope not. First song, sadly I was right, it's guitar playing only and I sense the countryness in it. It was monotonous and kind of boring too. Bob Dylan vibes, only worse. Idk how to rate a bad song, it's like 3/10, this is not my genre and I don't know how to appreciate it. Second song, it's faster, I like that. He loves long intros I suppose. Ohh this was instrumental, I like non-lyrical songs, so this gets a higher rating, I'd say 6/10. It was too same and literally nothing changed. Third song, I'm getting the vibe, guitar is interesting, his vocals are soft and scratchy too, not bad. This one has something in it, it's more catchy and less uninteresting. This wass 6.8/10 a little better than the songs before. 4th song, he's vocaling a lot, which is not his exact vibe I think, but it doesn't sound horrible so. I think I heard a voice crack. This was annoyingly bad, old folk is just not me, though the more I listen to it more normal it becomes and listenable, but something I'd listen to on purpose. 2/10. 5th song, interlude I suppose, it was guitar playing, which is in a way satisfying, but idk if it is special and I don't see it. Anyway 6th song is also an interlude, but longer, it's not even sad nor upbeat it's just guitar playing yk. I don't find this fun sadly. No rating for this one. 7th song, now this one is melancholic. I do like that it's not totally bad, just not my type. It's just very classic and I Bert isn't even doing this for the views obviously, which makes it better, he's just enjoying himself (I think). However, I do rate the albums, depending on if I would listen to them again, so it's gonna be a little low, the overall rating. This song had a different vibe in a way, but still same basicness. 8th song, short one, it's upbeat. I heard Björk's like growl, and before that a voice crack. It's just too boring, it's objectively good for its times, but I can honestly say I hate this genre in this time. 9th song, I'm not looking at the lyrics because I don't think they're gonna be a masterpiece, plus it doesn't matter to me. It sounds same as the other songs, neutrally upbeat. 10th song, another interlude, nothing much or unique. Not even smth I would listen to when studying. Name is interesting tho, not sure why is it named that. 11th song, his voice is different, maybe softer a little. I'm again not impressed, it's expected though. Don't even know what to talk, since it's just not my cup of tea, it's kinda pointless me just saying how I do not like it in different forms... 12th song, his humming while saying "na-na", he has never done that here. He's humming at the end too, otherwise everything else sounded same. 13th song, mm different chords. Only guitar is playing. 14th song is an interlude too, it's short, but he's singing in it. It's noon and I'm gonna fall asleep. 15th song, I thought this was rolling stone's Angie original version. Apparently not, notes are very different and chaosy too. He isn't singing yet, and never he sang. I'm happy I'm done with it I must say. Well I want to give this 2 stars, but for example Bob Dylan got 2 stars because of the way he used flute, it was magical in a way, everything else was bad(but I'm getting into him slowly). Thoughh Dion was worse than this, so I'm stuck about how to rate this. I thought and it's a 1 star album still, not influential to my taste at all.
Good! Fast but mellow acoustic guitar - sounds like finger-picking? All good, with 2 or 3 highlight tracks.
Yeah it was okay, track 3 was great, reminded me of Nic Jones.
Not bad.
- Solides bluesiges Folk Album - Schöne Stücke drauf - Kann man wunderbar nebenbei laufen lassen, ich denke besonders zum Schreiben werd ich mir das mal auf die Ohren hauen - „Needle Of Death“ hat mich sehr an eine schnelle version von „Blues Run the Game“ von Jackson C. Frank erinnert - Insgesamt stach aber nichts besonders stark heraus oder blieb in großer Erinnerung Rating: 3/5
- Chilliges, schönes Album. Stehe ja hart auf Singer-Songwriter Folk - Erinnert mich stark an Nick Drake und Jackson C. Frank - Tolle Patterns, die einem sofort das Herz erwärmen - Stimmlich manchmal etwas vage, wenn er sich aus seiner Comfort-Zone begibt - Textlich toll (und häufig traurig-schön) - Mir fehlen ein bisschen die richtig mitreißenden, im Ohr bleibenden Charakter-Stücke 3,5/5
boring and uninspiring. not for me.
Pretty boring
Zzzzzzzzzz...*snort* Wha? Oh, is it over? I seem to have fallen asleep.
Not riveting but fine 2.5 stars
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.
4.0
Pretty and raw, but I don’t think I’m likely to listen again
He's talented, and I can hear the folks he's influenced. 3/5
Beautiful acoustic guitar 🎸
It was surprising how much it reminded me of Americana folk music.
Never felt a stronger father-son bond emanating from a guy and his guitar. I bet he sleeps next to it and gives it kisses on the neck every night. Really genuine, I enjoyed it.
Omg que c'est plate dla guitare/voix. J'ai pas trippé. Je comprends l'impact musical mais juste non.
One of the folk greats! Jansch influenced so many musicians of that era (most notably Neil Young). Undeniable talent. "Needle of Death" is absolutely bone chilling. Excellent writing and performances. 4/5
I’ve never heard of this guy before and I wish I had! What a raw and potent songwriter His mix of blues and folk feels simplistic and deep. Glad i got to find this one 4
Amazing guitar playing. Preferred the instrumentals.
Very impressive playing and lovely moments throughout, missing that bitta something to elevate it into something special.
Interesting little guitar record, I quite enjoyed it. I was locked into the instrumental solo guitar passages, and found they let the album flow really nicely. I'd be keen to give this a proper listen soon. Three and a half. Fave track: Smokey River
I loved the playing and couldn’t quite meet the voice. An exceptional talent and an album I’m glad has a place on this list. Will be returning to Bert Three and a half. Fave track: Rambling’s Gonna Be the Death of Me
I hear a bit of Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, and even a bit of spice from John Mayer, all rolled into this album
Excelente disco folk! Altamente recomendado
Wonderful handmade music - feels like a concert in a small Club
Having only read and heard of Bert Jansch and having not heard any of his music, I was intrigued. It started well but soon became a bit uninteresting as it was well, repetitive. Man playing guitar (very well) and singing (quite well) to almost the same song, over and over. Nice idea, I may put this on again as it was nice but repeat and repeat was a bit much.
listened 2x, and while not bad, not something i really plan to revisit. 2.9/5
I love folk and this is no exception. Surprised I'd never heard of him. I adore the ability of a good folk song to grab and hold your attention with a heartfelt story, with such stripped down instrumentals. The guitar on this album is gorgeous though too.
Not to my taste.
Classic sound, never heard off the artist
Paul simon ish guitar playing. Very old school pick type playing. Chill music.
Despite being later associated with English Folk (with Pentangle), Bert Jansch’s first album leans far more on Blues and other American folk styles. There are some gems but in general the album was, in my opinion, pleasant but dull. Glad to have filled in this gap in my listening knowledge and would put this on as more background music in the future, but it’s not headphone music for me.
Best nice maar wel heel kort. Schotse makker. Drie sterren voor de naam
Not a fan
Nice, not life-changing, but a cool document of an interesting scene.
Hauntingly beautiful. The imperfections like the difference is volume mixing between songs makes it feel even more comfy and personal. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Not much happening here. Can't tell if I genuinely liked some guitar solos or just appreciated the breaks from his singing
cute and I kinda liked it, will relisten some day in the distant future
pretty sweet, great guitar, country/bluegrass. 3.8.
Ugh. Depressing. Boring. Don't want to hear again.
Great, poetic album, Nick Drakey calmness.
Somehow I’ve never heard of Bert Jansch before. Quite interesting album, before even reading more about him I thought „sounds a bit like Donovan“ whom he influenced, according to Wikipedia. I understand why it is on the list and am happy to have discovered this artist!
I'd never heard of him before. Some nice tunes and guitar playing.
It's subdued but it doesn't all just melt away into the background, there's enough of Jansch in the music now and again that I often found myself captivated in the quiet. These songs, scattered through the album, draw me into it: Needle of Death, Strolling Down the Highway, Running from Home, and Angie.
Generic mid-60s accoustic singer songwriter stuff.
Sup bert
Getting major "My Lover Gave Me A Cherry" vibes. Not my kind of music at all. But not offensively bad.
Decent folk, but nothing spectacular. 3/5
Not for me. Maybe more of a visual artist but listening to someone show off on the guitar when I know not if the performance is good is not my idea of good listening.
Interesting Scottish Folk. Pretty chill.
The more folk I listen to that isn't Bob Dylan, the more I realize that Bob's overrated while all others don't get more respect. Nice, relaxing album. 6/10.
Nett
If Tom Bombadil ever gets a TV series, this is the soundtrack. Rambling across the English countryside vibes.
Guitar guitar guitar YAWN
It's a great folk album but I prefer Jansch's work as part of Pentangle where there is a bit more musical variety. This album here should've been more about Scottish folk music I find.
Good guitar work. Poor vocals. ... is this folk music?
Oh no, not at all my style...made me cringe slightly. LOL!
Kinda bluesy, kinda Bob Dylan-esque rambly. I feel like, in Bert's mind, the lyrics are the main draw here, but it leaves the vocals kind of monotone, and during non-instrumental tracks, the guitar fades into the background. It's a lot more in the foreground during those instrumentals, though. Favorite tracks: "Needle Of Death", "Angie"
NOOOOOOO: I was so excited to listen to this but alas it has failed me. Was I mainly excited for the final track? Yeah, my dad would play it on his guitar all the time when I was a child. There was me being naïve think the whole album would be like that, nah it was just so bleh. I get this man was like the Hendrix for the acoustic but it just doesn’t hit. Oh well, Angie massively boosts this.
3/5
Einschläfernder Folk
3.5 - very talented and the songs would be great listening to about 5. After that it felt a bit too intense. Feel like it needed editing down as an album
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.
Unique folk exposition by the master guitar player. A seminal moment in 60s music.
Haven’t I had this one already? Déjà vu I guess. Bert is perfectly competent as a musician and songwriter, but nothing really stuck with me after three rotations through the whole album. I guess my heart just already belongs to Bob Dylan, he's my guy for 60's singer-songwriter folksy rock. You alright though, Bert. I'm content that our relationship is simply ships that have passed in the night.
I always liked that folk music where the acoustic guitar is played so well that, you don't want to hear the singing you are too focused on the instruments. I think that is what I got from Bert Jansch. I do appreciate that he did give us an instrumental with Smokey River, Veronica, Alice's Wonderland and Angie; all might be some of my favourites on this album. I don't know much about Bert Jansch, except he has been compared to Bob Dylan... but then I think anyone that sang folk like this in the 60-70's were. I had a look and see that people like Jimmy Page, Mike Oldfield, Paul Simon, Pete Hawkes, Nick Drake, Donovan, Neil Young, and Johnny Marr have all cited him as an influence, which is an impressive list. I believe there is more Jansch on this list, so I am looking forward to hearing more, but it makes me now want to listen to Australian music folk legends, The John Butler Trio. Standouts: Smokey River, Oh How Your Love Is Strong, Veronica, Needle Of Death, Alice's Wonderland, Angie
A man, his guitar and a bundle of his music. A folk-country collection of songs with excellent guitar picking vibes and a suitable voice. Not a top choice to listen to on n my own, but would love to hear him in a pub with a pint or two in hand. Mid 3
Decent
Nope, that's not for me
Favourite songs: Needle of Death, Angie, Rambling's Gonna Be The Death of Me, Smokey River, Running From Home, I Have No Time, Oh How Your Love Is Strong, Finches, Veronica, Alice's Wonderland, Dreams of Love Least favourite songs: Do You Hear Me Now 4/5
All folksy acoustic. Bert's a talented musician and a decent singer. All the songs are fairly short. I liked the last two songs on this record the best.
I really liked this, great acoustic guitar singer songwriter album. His fingerpicking guitar work is great. His singing at times reminded me of James Taylor. The musical style was similar to Nick Drake and Alexi Murdoch. I can hear how this could have influenced these artists. I've never previously heard of this artist or any of his songs. This album was a real surprise
It just isn’t good. Doesn’t even have a nice old timey vibe to it
Little goofy but pretty peaceful album.
chill
Just a guy and his guitar, mid 60's folk. Good enough, but not really anything special. I prefer Leo Kettke or John Fahey. Easy 3/5, but no higher.
Excellent acoustic guitar work. Very thoughtful lyrics. Needle of Death was a very sad song. Good album.
Worth a listen once for the acoustic guitar but other than that its a no for me.
Okay 60s singer-songwriter stuff.
Not bad, pretty slow and folky so gotta be in the mood for it
unfortunately i did not listen to this but i promise i will
I didn’t hate it, but it couldn’t excite me. It sounds like many other artists of the time, nothing particular hooked me here.
Kind of boring. 2 stars
yes, it's folk music. not bad but not memorable
I don't know, it's just a generic folk album. There's nothing special here. I mean, can you think of any more stereotypical folk song titles then "Strolling Down the Highway" or "Rambling's Going To Be The Death Of Me"? I mean, really. There's just nothing that stands out here. At least, from a songwriting perspective. What DOES stand out is Burt's guitar playing. Truly fantastic and earned him a star right there. Overall, it was underwhelming but not outright frustrating.
не запомнила, но вроде ничего такой
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.
angie
Good, more of a familiar And easy listening sound for me.
Im not to fond of this genre
It's from a different era. A more simpler one. So it's tricky to rate it according to today's standards
very nice finger-style guitar picking, and so-so vocals. I like the song-writing as bridging the folk music revival with the politically-minded music emerging in the late 60s.
I mean he was alright but got a little old towards the end.
Not for me but i get it.
ferocious. wish there was more folk on this list.
Did not like it at all.
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.
I didn't think much of this. It was fine but didn't stick with me. I liked that it wasn't over-long. 2.49/5
That was pretty neat! I prefer the instrumental numbers, but it’s a good time through and through, solid folk music. C+
bobbed along at a lovely rate
Simple yet beautiful, however I don’t see myself returning to this album
A perfectly listenable folk album that'll put Grandpa right to sleep. Seriously though, I didn't dig it too much, but it achieves everything it sets out to. There is some beautiful guitar work throughout, even if the songs linger just a bit too long. Jansch isn't Dylan, and he doesn't need to be, but sometimes it feels like he wants to be.
This one caught me at the right time: It’s a decidedly autumnal day here in Asheville, NC, and these rambling acoustics complemented rather well the swirling ballet of leaves pirouetting upon the crisp fall air.
Some nice folk. Enjoyed this.
This is a fantastic effort, an absolute masterpiece in making 38 minutes feel like 3, horribly long hours.
Folk. Bastante bien.
Talk about one note. I appreciate Bert’s guitar work on this and many other albums, but this was like one long run on sentence. Sorry Bert.
As an avid fan of the first few Tallest Man On Earth records, this was like finding a musical missing link. I love the minimalist style and superb production (there’s nothing quite like hearing guitar from the 60s sounding so warm and full), and Bert’s voice and lyrics are full of spirit and passion. As a whole I feel there’s a bit of inconsistency on the album (it’s tough to employ a ton of variety with such a stripped-down setup) but I remain very happy for this to hit such a specific itch I wasn’t aware I was missing so much. This is a very strong 4, just short of a light 5.
Fun, but a lot of these acoustic projects blend together for me. I appreciate the art, but I always rather just listen to something else
This was created in a lab to appeal to me, I love stripped-down acoustic folk. It does run a little long and get a little monotonous, but overall this is exactly the kind of music I want in the background when I’m chilling out.
Didn't leave much of an impression either way
a sweet little folk album
Very nice guitar playing but not my cup of tea
Chill med litt country 3.8
Fine.
Folk.
A finger-picking virtuoso. Bert Jansch barely needed to prove anything to anyone. A handful of simple folk songs, beautifully performed. Jansch does not have the best voice, but his guitar dances along with incredible grace. This style of guitar playing would go on to influence the likes of Simon and Garfunkel and their own folk sound. Simple yet elegant. Easy to recommend.
Loved it, played it twice! 4 stars
4/15, 27%
Solid guitar playing my man
4th September 2023 Listened during the day while having a chilled one. Really liked this, classy blues folk with some absolutely delicious guitar playing.
Creative guitar and more vibes than Steve Earle (which I had listened to right before) — acoustic guitar takes many forms
meh, i guess it just seemed like regular old dude and acoustic guitar.
Surprisingly enjoyed. Folk music is not my forte. I think I'll keep delving into his music/this genre slowly
I admire his brilliant guitar playing, but I still think he's better suited to a campfire than an album.
Nice folksy guitar album.
Context: I don't know much about Folk music at all. Listens: 1 Opinion: The album is really pleasant, easy going. Nothing really mind blowing but nice. Highlight: None I would be interested in hearing more Folk music from different artists for sure.
Alright. Liked Needles.
Never had heard this guy before. It's nice stuff. Apparenly "Needle of Death" is his best known song, and it's easy to see why. That song hits hard.
loved it!
Scottish folk singer and gifted guitar picker. Running From Home Angie (guitar only)
Didn’t listen too closely but never really felt too excited.
Some very cool fingerstyle guitar in this one, adds to the folk vibe and is in some cases quite technical and groovy. 3/5
Bert Jansch - never heard of the guy, to be honest. Not that I'd missed out on anything particularly good. His brand of Blues and Folk is pretty generic and, really, quite boring. 2/5
3.7 - A pretty little folk record with bright guitar fingerpicking and Donovan-sounding vocals. “Needle of Death” is a devastating tribute to a friend passed on, that reminds me of Elliot Smith. Some nice instrumentals mixed throughout. I imagine playing this some cold winter morning while enjoying my coffee.
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
Solo guitar. Kinda boring
Good, mellow folk style introspective music.
Simple and enjoyable. Good guitar work
3/5. A pretty solid guitar focused album. Well-played but not amazing. It's quiet but not personal, so it feels distant. With little instrumentation, the emptiness doesn't do this one justice. Nice lyrical phrases and guitar playing though.
Well Beer, you were a staple of my folkie mother, and we're an enjoyable listen, but I won't go into depth about this, well mainly as I didn't feel a huge amount. Passable, mildly pleasurable.
jangly guitar but I liked it
The songs are meh, but this is the best acoustic guitar playing I've heard. If there were instrumental versions of these, I could listen to them all day.
Not atrocious just super boring. Some people like this I guess. They probably also eat plain oatmeal and only have missionary sex strictly for the purpose of conception.
The grandfather of all the bed wetters with acoustic guitars. Dull AF.
Usually not a huge folk fan but I really liked this one
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Angie (15) 2 - Running From Home (11) 3 - Rambling's Gonna Be the Death of Me (9)
Albums like this make following this list worthwhile. I'd never heard of Bert Jansch before and really got into his Scottish take on delta blues. Also impressive was his lyricism which made me think of Leonard Cohen at times. I will be listening to this again and exploring more of his work when I get the chance
Nice, relaxing-- I loved this
Soft guitar and earnest vocals. Will always love that combo.
très bien !!
Pour vrai, c'est un peu du folk sans saveur. Je n'ai pas capoté pour être franc.... 2.90
Not for me
This album has both feet solidly in the American folk genre. Beautiful, near-classical (Windham Hill-ish at times) acoustic guitar takes you into this journey beset by A Mighty Wind. The vocals ranged and at times were really hospitable and at other times less so and feeling a bit obsolete.
Did this guy have a supporting role in A Mighty Wind? For the past 38 mins. I've been feeling like I'm living in that movie and it isn't as funny as I remember it being.
Bert Jansch’s self-titled solo album is perfectly adequate folk music. It was more enjoyable than the group effort of Pentangle, particularly on a few of the better tracks and the instrumentals.
The instrumental tracks are the best. What beautiful guitar work. Soothing and cozy on a gray, rainy day.