Basket of Light
Pentangle
1969
Album Summary
Basket of Light is a 1969 album by the folk rock group Pentangle. It reached no. 5 on the UK Albums Chart. A single from the album, "Light Flight", the theme from BBC1's first colour drama series Take Three Girls, reached no. 43 on the UK Singles Chart. Another single from the album, "Once I Had a Sweetheart", reached no. 46 in the charts.The album's liner notes state that "Springtime Promises" was written "after a ride on a number 74 bus from Gloucester Road to Greencroft Gardens on an early spring day".
WikipediaMy 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
Absolutely GORGEOUS and lush 60s baroque folk. So beautiful, one of my favorite genres ever!
Great album with stellar musicianship. Not sure why there are three versions of Sally Go Round the Roses, though.
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
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.
Excellent album, avec des petites sonorités particulières et une sensation un peu religieuse, mais appréciable.
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
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
One likes a madrigal, especially when they're dressed up with sitars and glockenspiels.
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.
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
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.
Quite an enjoyable album, I like the middle ages influence and their voices combine and harmonize very well
ok this was pretty catchy for hippie folky shit. i bet these guys were like those 60s stoners who loved lord of the rings and rooted on stonehenge at the summer equinox. i ended up listening to 2 full albums lol.
I like folk rock. This group was totally unknown to me. Nice to hear the 60's instruments used on the recordings. I can hear ‘Flower Power’ influences. It was good listening to.
Hippie Gregorian chant with some blues tracks thrown in. It was ok but not my cup of tea tbh
Folky! Liked the olden aesthetic on many of the songs. Took a while to fully appreciate in general. 5/10 (possible 5.5 with halves)
I think I might've liked this album more if I was in a different mood, or still in my 20s.
Only tune I quite fancy is "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", other than that, they are fine band and I think I can listen to them from time to time. Folk-ish music with a bit of reminisce of old times.
Nearly a 4 star but ultimately I am a nasty guy. But it is really good. House Carpenter is a banger
I don't hear a lot that's even reminiscent of this Flower Power sound much anymore.
In a sea of psychedelia in the late 60's, Pentangle holds strong with an album that is decisively not very psychedelic at all. It's folksy and prim and proper. The compositions, for how nice they are, deserve praise. Unfortunately, I didn't get much out of the album. Just a bit boring, even if it is well-composed. I'd believe this is a product of being a folk baroque album: nothing wrong with it, just not for me.
British folk mixed with a medieval, Renaissance sound that is both interesting and beautiful, at times. Not my type of music, but I can see it would be appropriate for certain situations or if in the proper mood. Not unpleasant.
This album is cool as. Kinda makes me want to burn Bob Woodward alive in a Wicker Man tho.
What a strange album. I feel like it came so close to being something that I liked, but just didn't quite hit it. It was almost 60's folk music, but it was also mixed with church music, banjo music, and medieval music? Hunting Song was pretty good though.
This was something of a surprise. Slightly closer to the folky edge than I imagined. Good voices and some smart instrumentation.
An interesting album with diverse influences including folk, prog, hippy rock, and Eastern music. Perfectly pleasant, but not likely to live long in the memory. Pretty much the definition of three stars for me!
Celtic woman, is that you? I liked this at times, but I don't think I'll return unless I need some background music for a medieval themed dinner. By top pick is 'Once I Had a Sweetheart', I enjoyed the vocals and lyrics of this track.
Like I said, just makes me think of nude hippie folk dancing round a stone circle in prep for an orgy. Good stuff!
I understand what cressey meant by dancing naked pagans, as it went on it moved towards more standard folk music. I could imagine some of these songs being played by the fire at a woodcraft camp for sure. With this one I just sort of thought yeah, sure, why not!
Same kind of folk sound like some of the earlier folk albums on the list from the same time period. Pleasant folk noodling. Folk noodling. Aghhh this is just not my cup of tea. Its fine?