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Basket of Light

Pentangle

1969

Basket of Light

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".

Wikipedia

Rating

2.74

Votes

5537

Genres

  • Folk
  • Rock
Reviews
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Mon Feb 21 2022
4

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.

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Sun Jan 10 2021
4

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

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Fri Jul 30 2021
5

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

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Wed Feb 23 2022
5

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

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Sun Nov 14 2021
4

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

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Thu Mar 31 2022
4

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

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Mon Aug 29 2022
4

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.

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Mon Sep 14 2020
3

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

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Fri May 14 2021
3

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

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Fri Apr 23 2021
5

hippy, sitar, Gregorian chant

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Thu Mar 18 2021
5

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

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Sun Mar 28 2021
5

Brilliant. One of the most beautiful albums ever produced

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Sun Feb 27 2022
5

pretty

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Thu Mar 03 2022
5

One of Pentangle's best.

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Wed Mar 23 2022
5

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

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Thu Apr 28 2022
5

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

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Wed Jul 20 2022
5

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.

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Sun Aug 07 2022
5

They didn’t have to go so hard

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Fri Dec 02 2022
5

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.

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Sun Dec 18 2022
5

Groovy

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Wed Feb 01 2023
5

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).

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Wed Mar 08 2023
5

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

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Wed Jan 13 2021
4

Surprisingly enjoyable. I wound up liking it a lot

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Mon Jan 25 2021
4

Celtic + Sitar + Chant

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Wed Jun 02 2021
4

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

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Thu Apr 15 2021
4

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."

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Thu Aug 05 2021
4

Beautiful British acid folk.

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Fri Sep 17 2021
4

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

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Wed Sep 22 2021
4

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.

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Wed Oct 13 2021
4

Chill

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Thu Nov 04 2021
4

Folky with Sitar

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Thu Dec 09 2021
4

Nice twinkling folk

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Fri Dec 10 2021
4

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

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Fri Feb 04 2022
4

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.

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Fri Feb 18 2022
4

File under: Ren Fair orgy music

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Wed Mar 16 2022
4

Vá!

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Wed Mar 30 2022
4

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

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Mon Apr 04 2022
4

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

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Fri Apr 08 2022
4

Lush and beautifully arranged

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Sun May 15 2022
4

Hey nonny no, baby.

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Thu May 19 2022
4

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.

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Wed May 25 2022
4

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

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Wed Jun 08 2022
4

Pretty good

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Sun Jun 12 2022
4

There was some wild shit going around in 69 man

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Sun Jun 12 2022
4

Lovely.

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Wed Jun 29 2022
4

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

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Fri Aug 05 2022
4

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

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Sun Aug 21 2022
4

Superior stuff. Anything with Jansch/Renbourn would be!

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Sun Sep 11 2022
4

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.

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Sun Oct 09 2022
4

Renaissance Stereolab? Very traditional and haunting.

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Mon Nov 14 2022
4

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

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Mon Nov 21 2022
4

Cool last 60’s folk drying.

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Wed Nov 30 2022
4

Mysigt men lite långtråkigt album

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Fri Dec 02 2022
4

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.

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Thu Dec 29 2022
4

one of the most interesting prog ever

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Sun Jan 08 2023
4

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.

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Mon Jan 30 2023
4

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

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Thu Feb 02 2023
4

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

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Thu Feb 02 2023
4

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

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Thu Feb 02 2023
4

Suuuuuper chill och swag

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Sun Feb 12 2023
4

Super cool worldly experimental folk from the late 60's

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Fri Feb 24 2023
4

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.

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Wed Mar 08 2023
4

not bad at all, reminds me of jethro tull somehow

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Fri Mar 24 2023
4

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

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Tue Sep 22 2020
3

Sounds like Joni Mitchell singing on a few tracks, really nice voice.

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Fri Oct 16 2020
3

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.

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Mon Sep 28 2020
3

Really good sounds but lyrical content and style is super dated

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Fri Mar 19 2021
3

Renaissance fair vibes, nice morning music.

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Thu Jul 01 2021
3

Not bad, but a bit too hippie

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Fri Apr 02 2021
3

Sounds cliché now but ok work music

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Sun Apr 25 2021
3

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.

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Wed Jan 27 2021
3

Not unpleasant

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Wed Jan 27 2021
3

Yeah that was OK. A bit like I was in Midsommar.

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Mon Mar 01 2021
3

Hippie Gregorian chant with some blues tracks thrown in. It was ok but not my cup of tea tbh

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Fri Feb 19 2021
3

interesting

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Mon Mar 08 2021
3

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)

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Fri May 07 2021
3

Liked the bluesy songs more than the baroque. Pleasant listening.

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Mon Mar 08 2021
3

Experimental folk from its vintage era.

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Wed Apr 07 2021
3

dope irish vibes top of da mornin to ya

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Wed May 26 2021
3

I think I might've liked this album more if I was in a different mood, or still in my 20s.

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Thu May 27 2021
3

Well that wasn’t what I was expecting. Very nice.

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Mon Aug 02 2021
3

I'm due a watch of The Wicker Man

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Sun Aug 29 2021
3

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.

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Wed Sep 08 2021
3

Favoriete nummers: - Hunting Song

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Wed Sep 22 2021
3

Nearly a 4 star but ultimately I am a nasty guy. But it is really good. House Carpenter is a banger

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Fri Oct 08 2021
3

I don't hear a lot that's even reminiscent of this Flower Power sound much anymore.

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Thu Oct 14 2021
3

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.

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Wed Nov 17 2021
3

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.

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Thu Nov 25 2021
3

This album is cool as. Kinda makes me want to burn Bob Woodward alive in a Wicker Man tho.

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Mon Dec 13 2021
3

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.

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Wed Jan 05 2022
3

This was something of a surprise. Slightly closer to the folky edge than I imagined. Good voices and some smart instrumentation.

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Wed Jan 05 2022
3

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!

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Sun Jan 09 2022
3

Folk. Un poco aburrido.

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Wed Jan 12 2022
3

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.

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Thu Jan 20 2022
3

Kinda cool, like Gaudete.

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Fri Feb 04 2022
3

Like I said, just makes me think of nude hippie folk dancing round a stone circle in prep for an orgy. Good stuff!

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Fri Feb 04 2022
3

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!

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Thu Feb 17 2022
3

Never heard of before. Very... 60s? Not bad, but not striking.

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Wed Feb 23 2022
3

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?

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Thu Feb 24 2022
3

Blues folk. Bloke.

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