Basket of Light

My wife: "Why are you listening to mediaeval music?" Me: "It's that 1,001 albums thing." [She rolls her eyes and walks off, shaking her head] I approached this album with trepidation. Seeing it pop up on the generator was the equivalent of walking into your local and spotting the pub bore already sat on his favourite stool, dimple glass in hand, waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting saps with a thousand tedious tales and unwelcome opinions. As a teenager in the seventies, my knowledge of English folk-pop music consisted of not really liking All Around My Hat and vaguely knowing that Sandy Denny, the female voice on Led Zeppelin 4, was in some diddly diddly band that sounded like a business meeting. Even now it's not something I often make a bee line for, despite enjoying a bit of Unhalfbricking and Liege and Leif every now and then. So yes, I wasn't excited about this selection. And yet, some of it has been quite magical. Bert Jansch's guitar playing is spectacularly nimble at times and Danny Thompson's double bass playing is a jazz-tinged joy. It's all a bit Finger In The Ear At The Malt Shovels On Tuesday Folk Night (Hotpot Available!) at times but it does break out from its traditional folky heartland on enough occasions that you don't always feel like you're harvesting turnips in the rain in a Shropshire field in the 13th century. Though sometimes you do feel like that. Strangely, though, I know I will be playing this again. I must be getting old.

There were moments in the beginning, mostly when the glockenspiel and sitar featured prominently, when I couldn't decide whether I loved or hated this album. Ultimately, it won me over. The harmonies are tight and the guitar parts are impressive. It's a solid English folk album. Best track: Hunting Song

Yesterday I gave Incubus a 1.5 rounded up. Today I’m giving this a 1.5 rounded down. Here’s the difference: if I were out and about and incubus were playing in the background, I would barely notice it. If this were playing in the background I would say “What is this. Why.”

Absolutely GORGEOUS and lush 60s baroque folk. So beautiful, one of my favorite genres ever!

White British people playing the sitar will always be a little sus to me, but I'll also also always be a sucker for an album that blends genres so well. And folk, rock and jazz with some parts that just sound medieval European make for such a fun combo

Ooh Pentangle is a bit cider and Cornish pasties isn’t it. That’s lovely.

It reminds me of the band Renaissance, except not quite as good. Nevertheless it is very pleasant and enjoyable throughout. This music ignites my deep desire to live in an isolated pagan Nordic mountain village hundreds of years in the past. I wish the industrial revolution never happened. Globalism has destroyed everything that made the world beautiful and awe-inspiring Will definitely return

There was some wild shit going around in 69 man

It was kind of interesting at first but it lost me over time. I ended up just not really liking it without being able to put my finger on why.

Great album with stellar musicianship. Not sure why there are three versions of Sally Go Round the Roses, though.

Wow this is super cool. Psychedelic, almost medieval sounding folk full of funky time signatures. '69 really was possibly the best year in music history.

Basket of Light is a swirling, psychedelic mixture of folk, jazz, blues, sitar and traditional music that may be one of the most surprisingly great records I’ve ever heard. Surprising in that, typically, folk and medieval sounding music are not very enjoyable to me. Pentangle’s intricate guitar arrangements and interplay were the highlight of this record to me, but each member, whether on guitars, bass, drums or vocals all execute at a virtuosic level. Most importantly, Pentangle doesn’t let their ability outshine the song: They aren’t playing only to showcase their talents, but to serve the song. Each part of every song sounds considered and well written, transitioning smoothly from one to the next; playing with an edge that I would consider to be uncommon in most folk music. A truly enjoyable album experience.

Very oldtimey folk album. Should relisten when in the mood for ancient rituals.

This is the kind of thing I was hoping for doing this. Really liked it, had never heard of them before.

Harmless, pleasant fun. Listening is like hanging out in a nice field on a warm sunny day, with flowers and drinking mead. some of the chants and vocals are Medieval

How is this on any top list? Pentacrap, Basket of crap. Was this meant to be a comic effort? This is a great example of music that is unremarkable and forgettable. If nothing else, it has me fired up to listen to something good.

hippy, sitar, Gregorian chant

Excellent album, avec des petites sonorités particulières et une sensation un peu religieuse, mais appréciable.

Brilliant. One of the most beautiful albums ever produced

pretty

One of Pentangle's best.

This is my favorite album ever I think. I love almost every song.

My favourite Folk band. Supremely accomplished musicianship. Well produced- it's rockier and jazzier than other albums but these guys are at the top of their game. I understand most people don't like this at all but that's always the way and always will be.

They didn’t have to go so hard

Groovy

Say what you want about this record, but, for better or for worse, there aren’t many that sound like it. To state the obvious: it’s a jazz-folk-psychedelic trip through Renaissance England. And I am here for it. John Renbourne and Bert Jansch provide the most solid instrumental foundation for any album to succeed, but Jacqui McShee’s vocals flit weightlessly around the whole record. It conjures the same eerie juxtaposition of contemporary and profoundly folkish as the Wicker Man soundtrack (songs like Luke-Wake Dirge almost demand a Maypole to be truly appreciated). It’s a product of its time, and by no means perfect. But I love it, and that’s why I’d give it 4.5 (rounded up).

Love the instrumentation and vocal style. Would love to hear this stuff live.

Beautiful.

Before today I'd never heard of Pentangle before. The album cover provided no hints as to what I was in for, so I googled their name. The first thing that came up was the definition of Pentangle, which is "another word for pentagram". Given that definition, I figured I would be in for a heavy metal album perhaps? What I heard was the polar opposite! Pentangle are a folk group from the UK. Their music includes dual guitars (one artist who is Blues trained, and one who is folk trained), amazing bass grooves, and male and female vocalists. The singers are amazing, and the harmonies created by the two of them is beautiful. This album also prominently features sitar and glockenspiel parts, which is awesome!! These guys remind me a lot of Fairport Convention. This album combines jazz, Blues, and folk along with some psychedelica into one beautiful album. They may start a jazz number, then flawlessly switch genres half way through. Overall, an amazing album! Another one that blindsided me! I love discovering these kinds of records! I will absolutely listen again, I listened to it twice today! Favorite songs: House Carpenter, Hunting Song, The Cuckoo, Sally Go Round the Roses, Once I Had a Sweetheart, Springtime Promises, Lyke-Wake Dirge, Cold Mountain Least favorite songs: Train Song 5/5

I thought it was rather fabulous. Normally this sort of folk ages pretty badly but this endures through pure quality. Excellent

I was not aware of my need of some rock-tinged-renaissancy-baroque-folk until this fell into my lap. Fantastic! How I wish I could have seen this performed in the Royal Albert Hall.

Loved it! Indeed a basket of light. Super sunny.

The opening bars of the first track had me super interested...then the vocals came and became quite hesitant...but then after I got my ears adjusted to what this album would be introducing me to, I REALLY dug it!

Oh I do love some wonderful folk music. It was a lovely blend of voices and acoustic instruments, and a lovely blend of traditional and new songs.

I truly don't understand the low scores, that's something beautiful! Incredibly interesting fusion of genres

This is delightful. This album has shades of 70s prog rock blended with the sensibilities of a medieval bard.

I’m rather cheating with this one, as this is already a favourite album of mine. Imbued with dark magic, this wonderful collection of harmonic songs marrying the ancient and modern is delivered with remarkable artistry by the twinning guitars of Renbourn and Jansch and one of British Folk Music’s very finest voices

Took me back a few years to a time before crude and non-musical music took over the world. A joy to behold.

The first song, with it’s Beatle-esque riff, folk guitar and jangly pop could only have been released in the 60s. I also loved “The Hunting Song” with its dual lead vocals and jazzy instrumentation, which includes some crazy double-bass. Also, “House Carpenter” with the banjo and sitar playing off each other. Jacqui McShee and Bert Jansch are good vocalists but when they share the vocals the contrast is amazing. And the fact that the whole band sings makes for some very untraditional harmonies. As much as I liked those tracks (and "Lyke-Wake Dirge") there were a couple of stinkers on the album and it was a no more than a 4 for me. Then I watched the 1971 live performance of “The Hunting Song” on YouTube and was blown away (as much as you can be by watching five people sitting around) so it’s +1.

10/10 I FUCKING LOVE BERT JANSCH

This was a surprise to me. The first song already had me hooked with its alternating 5/4 and 7/4. Overall really enjoyed this one.

This was weird. And great.

Sensacional, sei nem explicar

This was awesome! Can’t believe I hadn’t heard of these guys. It’s folk meets blues meets jazz meets Renaissance.

Great folk album. five out of five

Unbelievably creative, quite suprised at how much I liked it and the risks that they took

I loved this album. Had not heard of The Pentacle before, but had heard of Bert Janche. I listened to this on a 3 mile walk around Oak Park. The lilacs are blooming (along with everything else). Good smells everywhere, sweet sunshine, and this beautiful music straight to this big fat hippie's heart. This album took me down many pathways mentally. It started in the backyard of my family's house in Lombard. My thoughts were how much I would have enjoyed this if I had been a teenager in the 60's, smoking shitty weed and sneaking Seagram's 7 from my parent's liquor cabinet. Then I realized that's exactly what I was doing in the 90s, just listening to Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and Grateful Dead. The Pentacle is very much in the vein of The Mamas and the Papas, but I will go as far to say that this is better. Cleaner guitars, folkier, less pop, more elfish magic from across the sea. My favorite track here was House Carpenter, which took me straight to Applacia, then back across the ocean to the old Irish sod and my ancestors. Thank God for Alan Lomax. So much wonderful music sprung from his diligent work and passion.

I know already that Alan is going to dismiss this as English folk but in all love and affection give me 20 of these over French folk. With that out of the way, that British and Irish guitarists of the 1960s were incredible. This is Beck Page Clapton Townshend, Rory, etc. But the acoustic guys were better in a sense. On this album Jaensch and Renbourn. It’s a true fusion - jazz blues folk all mixing as if they always did. This, Solid Air, Planxty and Fairport. And this stuff leads to zeppelin, Jethro Tull and other such acts.

This album is as old as I am, but I've never heard of Pentangle. When you hear the words "Folk Band" you might expect something else, but you're hoping for this.

We listened to this album at the perfect time - driving through the Lake District, taking in the beauty of the scenery accompanied by this folky, jazzy, ethereal album. We both enjoy this genre and are surprised to have not discovered Pentangle before: we will definitely be listening again.

Aldrig hört förut men det är ju alldeles lysande.

Surprisingly enjoyable. I wound up liking it a lot

Celtic + Sitar + Chant

Kindof a medieval vibe? Very very interesting. Would like to hear more of whatever genre this is

Women lead but there is a man who sings too, recorded in late 60s, very strange composition, I guess I would call it easy listening rock??? not sure. Feels like garden of eden and church singing in one. Wiki says: "British folk-jazz band with an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, blues and folk rock influences."

Beautiful British acid folk.

A fun exploration of choral and instrumental music. Really enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

This one grew on me. I'm a sucker for certain types of melodies in folk music, and they were so beautiful I could not stop myself from getting lost in them.

Chill

Folky with Sitar

Nice twinkling folk

Folk-rock-jazz-música tradicional. Me ha gustado bastante.

I really enjoyed this!! I reckon if I would have discovered Pentangle between the ages of 16 and 20 I would have definitely been obsessed! I didn't particularly love the more religious tracks but that does come with intense folk so we will allow it, I prefer the woodland fairy happy tracks and I agree with Cressey, this conjures images of naked pagan dancing, it's brill.

File under: Ren Fair orgy music

Vá!

Good. Some occasionally dodgy voices but good music. Points added and deducted for reminding us of England. 3.7/5.

Every time I have attempted to engage with Pentangle's music in the past (usually by way of something like "Light Flight" or "Lyke-Wake Dirge"), I've been quickly put off and just shut it off/switched the station. I see as I listen to this that I haven't really been fair to them. This is really lovely music, with gorgeous vocals and incredibly elegant acoustic arrangements. A couple of songs I didn't love, but overall a great listen. Fave Songs: Train Song, Hunting Song, Once I Had a Sweetheart, The Cuckoo, Springtime Promises

Lush and beautifully arranged

Hey nonny no, baby.

J'avais énormément de choses à dire sur cet album, mais étant donné le peu d'implication de Robert ces dernières semaines j'ai décidé de montrer mon mécontentement au travers de cette critique.

Didn't listen to all of it, but it was enjoyable.

Pretty good

Lovely.

Jak najczesciej rantuje na wyspiarskie picki, tym razem jestem jedynie oczarowany, bo nie codziennie dostaje sie tradycyjne folkowe utwory podane w czystym akustycznym instrumentalu, basked of light to krazek z 1969 piecoosobowego skladu pentangle, ktoremu udalo sie idealnie przemycic elementy jazzu i bluesa do klasycznych folkowowych kompozycji, bo polowa utworow na trakliscie, to ludowe piesni, ale zaranzowane jak przystalo na lata 60, cala plyta mocno opiera sie na gitarach jak i na innych strunowych instrumentach, bo mozna uslyszec banjo, sitarki, czy kontrabas na niejednym utworze, duetem gitarowym jest tutaj Bert Jansch i John Renbourn, na basie Danny Thompson, klawisze Terry Cox i pani Jacqui McShee jako glowny wokal zespolu, to ona jest chyba jednym z powodow mojego czarowania tym krazkiem, bo dawno nie slyszalem tak przyjemnego dla ucha wokalu, jest w nim wrecz cos magicznego, dodatkowo gdy wykorzystany w utworach nawiazujacych do tradycjii chrzescijanskiej, czy folkloru wyspiarskiego tylko poteguje ten efekt, melodyczne 40 minut materialu na ktorym zmiescilo sie 8 kawalkow, spotifajowa wersja rozszerzona jest wzbogacona o 4 traki, dwa rerecordy sally go round the roses i dwa swieze utwory, na plejke dodam jedynie kawalek najbardziej podkreslajacy umiejetnosci wokalne pani McShee, ktorym jest openingowy light flight, ktory w ciekawy sposob wykorzystuje overduba jako backujacy wokal, no i cold mountain, ktory najbardziej dotyka mego umeczonego ducha na tym plaskim lez padole, ale caly krazek idzie na poleczke spotifajowa, bo o cos tak unikatowego jak to nagranie ciezko w tym zalewie muzycznym

Decent album. I thought it was going to be some usual late 60s psychedelia, but ended up going pretty Indian. Definitely worth a listen.

Superior stuff. Anything with Jansch/Renbourn would be!

This type of thing is definitely my jam. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this band already. I found this album really pleasant to listen to.

Renaissance Stereolab? Very traditional and haunting.

One likes a madrigal, especially when they're dressed up with sitars and glockenspiels.

Cool last 60’s folk drying.

Mysigt men lite långtråkigt album

The vocals are a little corny, this album is emblematic of a distinct style of 1960's folk singing. However, the music is really well done, the playing is great, and it has a real charm to it.

one of the most interesting prog ever

Solid folk rock a la Fairport Convention, but a bit more "out there". Some wonderful songs here for sure, will be listening to this again.

Really enjoyed this one, especially the female vocals on this are spectacular

Gillar inte den kvinnliga solisten jättemycket... hon lägger lite för mycket sås på det för min smak! Men annars mysigt

Wonderful album. Having Bert Jansch and John Renbourn in the same band makes for some inimitable guitarwork, and interplay between all the band members is captivating the whole way through. Definitely give this album a listen

Suuuuuper chill och swag

Super cool worldly experimental folk from the late 60's

Perhaps it's the new boots I'm wearing for the upcoming Ren Faire, or the snow blanketing the mountains after this rare storm, but this album just hit the right little folksy spot for me this morning.

not bad at all, reminds me of jethro tull somehow

Quite an enjoyable album, I like the middle ages influence and their voices combine and harmonize very well

7/10 I’m not usually a fan of the 60s British folk revival stuff, but I liked the vocal performance and the jazzy touches on a few songs

Not a bad album. The more song-y tracks are definitely good, but when it got to the medieval ho-nonny nonny stuff I'm afraid it went a little over my head. Not that I didn't like it but I didn't see it as something I would be casually listening to again.... not bad

I'm sure this style isn't for everyone, but I'm reading Lord of the Rings right now, and this kept giving Tom Bombadil and Goldberry vibes. So it's a win for me

This album was genuinely surprising to me, not anything I would normally listen to but it all sounded great.

Intermittently lovely and mostly interesting but certainly sub-sublime. There are moments of cringeworthy period stereotypicality (e.g., vocals on "Springtime Promises"), but for updating madrigals one thinks not much could be better. All that plus some glockenspiel and is that a sitar one hears, too? Male vocals leave something to be desired and there's a whiff of "eat your vegetables" to the overall proceedings (though one likes vegetables).

Mmmmm, folky! A very pleasant album - definitely Wicker Man vibes in places. Fave track - "Hunting Song", no doubt!

This one was a pleasant surprise. Based on the fact that it's a folk band I've never heard of and the cringe-worthy title "Basket of Light", I thought for sure that this was going to be "let's sit around the campfire and praise Jesus" kind of album. It was definitely a lot more interesting than that. From reading into the band, it sounds like they were considered fairly influential, which is all the more surprising that they're not more well known now.

Jazzy British folk featuring unusual instrumentation and utilizes conflicting melodies and unusual time signatures that creates a lush rich atmosphere. Hardly any repetition, with each song based around some unique tone or technique, like the medieval polyphony of "Lyke-Wake Dirge", or the intensity of "Train Song" with the repeated guitar and the strings near the end, or the crazy banjo and sitar playing of "House Carpenter". Huge fan of the vocal style, reminding me of the Fairport Convention, cool and mysterious. The double bass is a unique take, and I'm a sucker for a sitar, so there were hardly any songs I disliked. In fact, I went back over each song, and the only ones I didn't fall for were "Springtime Promises" and the cover "Sally Goes Round the Roses" (probably cause I kept thinking I like the original more?)