Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Aivan todella ihanaa kuunneltavaa! Oli hiukan taustamusiikkina kuuntelussa, mutta joka kerta kaverin kanssa kun pysähdyttiin kuuntelemaan oltiin hyvin ihastuneita. Täytyy vielä kuunnella paremmalla ajalla lisää!
Onko kukaan ikinä aatellu että oispa tässä sitaria? Ei. Onko kukaan ikinä aatellu että oispa tässä vähemmän sitaria? On. Silti vitun bängeri. Oon niin keskiaikahuuruissa atm että ei voi ku siveästi tanssahdella mukana.
Ei jotenkin lähteny tähän päivään. Omaan makuun oon kuullu huomattavasti parempiakin psykefolkkilevyjä, vaikka ei tääkään huono ollu. Toki tää genre on mulle itessään tärkee niin heikompikin levy saa multa helposti korkeet pisteet. Mietin jopa kakkosta koska tuntuu ettei tästä jääny kauheesti käteen, mut kokonaisuutena tää oli kuitenkin miellyttävää musaa. Yksittäisiä biisejä nousi myös edukseen, joten ehkä näillä meriiteillä päästään kolmoseen.
Öö siis mitä on ollut Englannin kaivovedessä 1969? Hyvää folkkia ja tiukkaa rompetta, mutta Fairport Convention ehti tehdä tän jo viel vähän kiinnostavammin! (Oikeesti tää vissiin julkastu pari kuukautta aiemmin, mut kuulen tästä vasta 🤷🏼) Sally Go Round the Roses oli lemppari, mut paljastuki coveriksi. Hieno versio joka tapauksessa!
Taas oli kyl sellanen kansi+levyn nimi+artistinimi -combo et en tienny mitä olettaa ollenkaan. Mut sehän oli varsin kelpoa folkkia. Minä tykkään folkista. Tätä oli kiva kuunnella ja näkisin kuuntelevani toistekin, ainakin sellaista versiota jossa on vain yksi Sally Go Round The Roses.
Definitely unique and kerosene is a great song, but overall a bit too much
1. "Light Flight" 2. "Springtime Promises" 3. "Hunting Song"
How have I not heard of this before? Absolutely enchanting stuff. I was completely stunned by the rhythmical complexity and super rich chord sequences that this band has to offer. Genuinely feels like getting lost in a magical forest in medieval England.
Twingy and twangy and that part of folk that seems to be magic-adjacent. It was an interesting album. I listened to it and then didn't notice that Spotify had rolled over to the next Pentangle album. I started enjoying the songs more on what turned out to be their 1971 album "Wedding Dress". This was fine. The next album was slightly better. I can't give "Basket of Light" a 3 but only by the barest of margins.
I don't think I've been so confused by a collection of music as I have been with this album... It's like Simon and Garfunkel, Robin Hood, Secret Garden and the song "Forever Autumn" from Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds all had a baby. One song is enough, any more and suddenly I feel the need to tapestry and dry lavender bunches.
Overall this was a little long in the tooth but way better than I thought it was gonna be. Kinda surprised people are hating maybe it's because the cover art is so terrible.
If you haven’t opened your heart to the music of the forest people than what are you even doing with your life bro
Meh. It's fine, but it's for sure just not for me. I do enjoy some folk from time to time, but I'll not be playing this one again.
Pre Listen: Never heard of these folks, though the album cover makes me fear it could be a live album? I really hope it isn't, too many live albums on this project. No expectations. Notable Tracks: Light Flight - Least favorite track, it's too zany and the vocals too flowery. Messy way to start the album. Lyke-Wake Dirge - Favorite song on the album after much deliberation. One of the most unique sounding songs I've heard on here to date. Got a gothic-Christian feel to it that I wonder if I'll hear anything remotely similar to again on this project. Post Listen: This is one of the few albums that I felt like got better as it went in an almost linear way. The first song was awful. The last song was really good. Many mixed feelings about it overall. The instrumental variety was much appreciated, the bell-playing especially stuck out to me as unique thus far. The lyrics and vocals were hit-or-miss, both with the female and male singers. The guitar work was consistently pretty solid throughout, it sounded the most authentically folk-like to me. I wish I knew what kind of drum they were playing throughout too, they got a super medieval sound to them. I think this album falls somewhere between 3 and 4, but being generous, I'll round up to a 4/5 EDIT - Sat on it, and after more deliberation, I think this album sadly is a 3. It just isn't memorable enough to warrant a 4. 3/5
:)
"Mine liege, when wilt thou erect thy maypole?" "Thee maypole wilt be merrily erected here uponst thee village green uponst thee first day of May, sire. Uponst this day, a fulsome number of buxom wenches wilt provide thee withst cider a-plenty, and thee village shalt celebrate merrily with much gallivanting. Thee music shalt be merrily played by ye olde Pentangle" "Nifty, peachy, rad and phat, mine unc!"
5 stars
I really liked parts of this. And parts were pretty tough. It’s hard to judge how original this is. Much of the female parts sound like a carbon copy of Joan Baez. And I imagine a lot of these songs are traditional. Tough to rank. I’ll go with 3/5.
Too much folk, and actually I liked just a couple of songs.
Lovely - you can hear elements of so many later bands, from Fleetwood Mac to Broadcast. If you're listening to a deluxe version, stop after House Carpenter - you don't need to hear three versions of Sally back to back. Pleasant and brilliantly played. A little too repetitive and mid paced for a 5, but a strong 4.
Nice
Whoa! "Light Flight" is a masterwork of asymmetrical meter and epic folk energy - what a way to start off listening to an album I knew nothing about! The rest of the album got less energetic/exciting for me after the first few songs. But “Light Flight” was awesome and the album overall was a fun listen.
(5/7) some cool sounds, kind of Celtic/medieval
epic
This album has been on my radar for literal years after accidentally streaming "Train Song" in trying to listen to the Tom Waits song. Was suprised to see it on the list. I feel like as time has gone on, conceptions of "folk music" has inched closer and closer towards pop music, and I am not exempt from this bias, so to hear something this baroque was honestly quite challenging. Whenever I talk about vocal harmonies being the most beautiful thing in the entire world, I usually default to the bright gorgeous ones of The Beach Boys, and surely their harmonies have inspired generations of cheery, sing-songey beauty that I adore. The vocal harmonies here feel so dark, even mideival, but still gorgeous in how forboding they are. I hear the beginning of Richard Dawson in this. So many great instrumental moments on here, the solo at the start of Train Song with the weird panning. I love the flirtations of indian instrumentation/percussion across the album, especially on the second track. Terry Cox’s drumming all over this album is so subtle and jazzy. Wow!! The way they are able to rearrange and reinterpret the traditions is so cool. Half of the album are traditionals, and yet, they feel indicative of their era. A real predeccessor to Freak Folk, this album is! A pleaseant suprise!!
Bro
is good kinda too churchy kinda funky but not enough
1) Light Flight 2) Train Song 3) Hunting Song Least Favourite: Lyke-Wake Dirge
Not my thing at all but 2 stars because I think this is probably good for this type of thing
Hey Nonny Nomny type folk rock. Bert Jansch is a great guitarist.
a few good songs but nothing special
Nope.
Curiously, as I opened up this site for today’s album, I was listening to Once I Had A Sweetheart. Needless to say, i like this album. I appreciate the genius of Jansch, Renbourn and Thompson in how they complemented McShee’s unearthly voice with eclectic experimentation in jazz, blues and folk. A 5 To all the little boys calling this album utter crap in the reviews, while praising utter crap like grunge, you can shove Nirvana up your arseholes.
Felt like fairy music
Some sick guitar action going on in this album 🥹
Very very odd, but it tinkers with traditional songs and interesting arrangements that makes you stop and listen. Strange enough to listen to the full album and appreciate it for what it is.
I've stumbled upon another hidden psychedelic classic. You'd think Pentangle were more popular during their prime Almost every song on "Basket of Light" is worth listening to. Even the B-sides, which would usually be filler, were nice. One thing that bugs me is the inclusion of two more versions of "Sally Goes Round the Roses", one of which is only 2 seconds longer, despite being an "extended" version. 4 stars for "Basket of Light".
meh. repetitve and a little annoying.
nice enough
A quite beautiful and serene (vocally and musically) album that I’m not sure what to make of. The Pentangle present a wide array of folk styles - traditional, jazzy, medieval, trippy. The guitar arrangements stand out as a highlight, with 2 talented acoustic players weaving a complex web of sound. It was an interesting listen that I found inconsistent - wonderful at times, a bit boring at others. I could admire the music and enjoyed it overall, but also don’t see myself going back to a lot. But at the peak moments there’s a lot of depth, though I’m not sure I’ll revisit the album much. I suppose it scratches a certain kind of itch.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.
Can’t imagine how expensive this must be on Discogs. Excellent and innovative. Some Chinese influences? Some cuts would make for outstanding needle drops. But hard to hear too many echos of this in modern music (at least what I listen to) and not an album I’m itching to play again.
No me esperaba esto. Me gustó bastante, debería escucharlo en una ocasión más correcta igual, pero un punto más por la originalidad.
This album is why I don't go to ren fairs.
Bruh you can't put light into a basket. I think your shit on fire g
Perfectly fine folk album. Nice singing and instrumental moments, nothing really standing out for me. A 2 feels harsh so going with a 3.
"Folk jazz" is not something that should exist.
All I can hear from the female vocalist is Joan Baez…
This feels like an echo of a bygone era. There were periods of this album where I couldn't decide whether I loved this or hated it. I've decided that I really liked this. It is a type of folk music I hadn't sat with before. There will come a day when I return to this and trot it out in company.
Lil weird ngl
Bleh so not for me
Oh... Very British, folk, refreshing, creative, liked it very much.
As folk goes it's pretty listenable
Liked this more than I thought I would. Shout out to the glockenspiel.
Basket of Shite, no it wasn’t all bad just mostly
Long time fan of Pentangle, this album especially.
Bit of a less varied version of Fairport Convention. It's decent and all, but does become a bit monotone. The guitar playing is very well done though, always got a soft spot for this 60's acoustic style. Singing is done pretty well as well. There's a lot more where this came from, 60's Folk is not a particularly underrepresented genre here.
I’m automatically a fan of anything that’s going to be so genre bending like this. They’re taking just a bit of everything but still make it sound like a coherent project. Sounds a tick off from the quality of a group like the Fairport Convention which I would say is the best group in this lane, but still really solid.
hippiesque hippie dreamscapes that are quite alright most of the time
This was alright, very chill.
Quality went down with each track...
I've listened to worse folk / folk rock on this list. This was somewhat ok.
Favorite Track: Hunting Song
didnt realy listen but was nce
This is a great example of why I love this website - I had never heard of, and would never have listened to this album otherwise. Did I LOVE it? No. But it was a fun experience and some of the songs definitely made me bop my head.
raro, sonido nuevo y no se que sentir jaja, aunnquw siempre me sorprendo cuando escucho sonidos y estilos nuevos para mi, me hacen pensar en la inmensidad de la versatilidad de la música y lo que me queda para conocer
Super folky, didn’t like the vocals at all.
1.5
Never heard of this before at all. It was ok I suppose, but didn't stand out to me.
Not much to say. The band/album name and cover was great. Train Song was the only song that stuck with me. I didn’t hate it, but I probably won’t revisit. 2 stars
cool musicianship but I don't feel compelled to listen to this sort of thing
A very pleasant and calming album, that sounds nice but didn't stick with me very long after
# Pentangle - *Basket of Light*: An In-Depth Review **Release Date:** October 1969 | **Label:** Transatlantic | **Producer:** Shel Talmy --- ## Overview *Basket of Light* is Pentangle's third studio album and widely regarded as their masterpiece. A Top 5 hit in the UK, it represents the commercial and artistic peak of a band that defied easy categorization—a "folk rock" group that used only acoustic instruments and drew as much from jazz and medieval music as from the traditional folk canon. With two guitar virtuosos in Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, the extraordinary soprano of Jacqui McShee, Danny Thompson's double bass, and Terry Cox's percussion, the quintet created something genuinely progressive without ever sacrificing accessibility. --- ## Lyrical Themes: Tradition and Modernity The album's lyrics weave a fascinating tapestry of the ancient and the contemporary. **Traditional Ballads:** The album draws heavily on British and American folk tradition. "Lyke-Wake Dirge" is a haunting Yorkshire funeral chant depicting the soul's journey after death. The band's version, with its three-part vocal harmonies, created a version that many now consider definitive. Similarly, "House Carpenter" (known as "The Daemon Lover") tells the dark tale of a woman lured to destruction by the Devil himself. These are not sanitized museum pieces—they are living, breathing interpretations that maintain the original's stark power. **Modern Explorations:** The band's original compositions show a modern sensibility. "Train Song," which provides the album's title (*"Love is a basket of light; grasp it so tight"*), is a blues-influenced meditation on movement and love's fleeting nature, mimicking the rhythm of a train in both lyrics and music. "Hunting Song" draws on Arthurian legend—specifically a magic drinking horn sent by Morgana le Fay to King Arthur's court—a perfect vehicle for the band's medieval-modern synthesis. "Springtime Promises" takes a more whimsical approach, written, according to the album notes, "after a ride on a number 74 bus from Gloucester Road to Greencroft Gardens on an early spring day". --- ## Musical Analysis: Progressive Folk ### Instrumentation and Arrangement The album is technically a "folk rock" record, yet the sleeve proudly proclaims: **"All the instruments played on this album are acoustic"**. This commitment to acoustic sound sets Pentangle apart from contemporaries like Fairport Convention, who embraced electric instruments. The "rock" element comes not from amplification but from a driving, rhythmic energy and, crucially, a **jazz-derived rhythmic complexity**. ### Vocal Performance Jacqui McShee's crystalline soprano is the album's defining voice. Described as "ethereal" and "enchanting," her voice possesses a purity that recalls Renaissance Annie Haslam but with a distinctively British folk warmth. Critically, the band treated her voice as another instrument in the ensemble rather than a dominating lead. McShee's layered vocals and wordless scat-like passages, particularly on "Train Song" and "Light Flight," showcase her jazz influences. ### The Guitar Partnership Bert Jansch and John Renbourn represent one of the most formidable guitar duos in rock history. Their interlocking, arpeggiated lines are the album's instrumental backbone—fluid, subtle, and technically astounding without ever becoming flashy. Renbourn's use of the sitar on "Once I Had a Sweetheart" and the banjo/sitar combination on "House Carpenter" adds exotic textures that bridge East and West. ### Rhythmic Foundation Danny Thompson's double bass and Terry Cox's drums provide a foundation of remarkable subtlety and swing. Thompson's *bowed* bass on "Train Song" is particularly noteworthy. Cox's use of glockenspiel on "Once I Had a Sweetheart" and "Hunting Song" adds a magical, fairy-tale quality that evokes a pre-industrial England of castles and folklore. ### The Jazz/Time Signature Element "Light Flight," the opening track and UK Top 40 single, exemplifies the band's progressive approach. Its time signature shifts between **5/8, 7/8, and 6/4**—distinctly un-folk-rock territory. Yet the song, used as the theme for the BBC drama *Take Three Girls*, is immediately accessible, a pop hit in an unusual skin. --- ## Key Tracks | Track | Analysis | Citation | |-------|----------|----------| | **Light Flight** | Opening track, shifting time signatures (5/8, 7/8, 6/4), Became BBC *Take Three Girls* theme, UK #43 hit | | | **Once I Had a Sweetheart** | Traditional arrangement, features Renbourn's sitar and Cox's glockenspiel, hypnotic atmosphere | | | **Lyke-Wake Dirge** | Ancient funeral chant, three-part vocal harmonies, textual source likely Robert Graves anthology | | | **Train Song** | Blues-influenced original, evokes train rhythm, Thompson's bowed bass, title line: *"Love is a basket of light"* | | | **Hunting Song** | 7-minute Arthurian mini-epic, features glockenspiel and three-part Elizabethan round | | | **Sally Go Round the Roses** | Cover of 1963 Jaynetts girl-group hit, transformed into Pentangle's folk-jazz style | | | **House Carpenter** | Traditional "Daemon Lover" ballad, banjo-sitar combination, sinister atmosphere | | --- ## Production Producer Shel Talmy, known for his work with The Kinks and The Who, brings a clean, transparent production that allows each instrument to breathe. The original gatefold sleeve featured live photographs from a Royal Albert Hall concert, reinforcing the band's legitimacy as serious live performers. --- ## Influence and Legacy *Basket of Light* stands as a foundational text of British folk rock, influencing generations that followed. Its fusion of traditional material with jazz, blues, and Eastern textures presaged the "acid folk" and "prog folk" movements. The band's influence extends to modern "freak folk" and "nu-folk" artists. Lou Rhodes of Lamb specifically cites the album as an early influence, noting McShee's "ad-lib" style and the "freedom" of the arrangements. In scholarly terms, the album represents a broader cultural movement—"electric folk"—that was not simply electrification but "a cultural reaffirmation" and "counterreaction to the dominant American music cultures". Pentangle, by eschewing the traditional rock group dynamic in favor of a jazz-derived approach where McShee was "one individual instrumentalist among equals," embodied a genuinely progressive spirit. --- ## Pros ✅ **Instrumental Virtuosity** – Jansch and Renbourn's guitar interplay is legendary; Thompson and Cox provide world-class rhythm section ✅ **Jacqui McShee's Voice** – One of the defining voices of British folk rock, pure and ethereal ✅ **Progressive Yet Accessible** – Shifts time signatures and complex arrangements without losing the listener ✅ **Acoustic Mastery** – Demonstrates that acoustic instruments can be as powerful and complex as electric ones ✅ **Cohesive Vision** – Successfully balances traditional material and original compositions ✅ **Historical Significance** – Reached UK Top 5, remains a benchmark of the British folk revival --- ## Cons ❌ **Pacing Issues** – Some listeners find the album loses momentum, particularly on the second half ❌ **Sitar/Indian Elements Divisive** – Some listeners find these elements jarring or "grating," particularly on "House Carpenter" ❌ **Lack of Raw Energy** – Compared to Fairport Convention's more electric sound, Pentangle can feel "too musical," almost classical in its precision ❌ **Redundancy** – Reissue bonus tracks include *three* versions of "Sally Go Round the Roses" ❌ **Not All Tracks Equal** – Some describe the album as strong singles surrounded by filler, "much less than the sum of their parts" ❌ **Under-utilization of Jansch** – With such a legendary guitarist, some feel he should be "front and centre" more consistently --- ## Conclusion *Basket of Light* is an album of remarkable ambition and artistry, a record that effortlessly bridges centuries and styles. It is not a flawless album—some may find its unwavering gentleness lacking in grit, and its acoustic purity may not satisfy those seeking the raw electricity of electric folk. Yet for those who appreciate subtle complexity, virtuosic restraint, and a genuine engagement with the deep well of British folk tradition, it remains a landmark achievement—a "basket of light" in an increasingly dark world.
a band I’ve. Ever heard of! hooray! this is really good. prolly add them to my rotation
bardzo delikatny i emocjonalny, super się słuchało na spokojny wieczór
I liked this much more than I thought I would. Really interesting, but the aptly named dirge let it down
2.6/5
9/10
Let the light out. Please. For the love of God.
This feels like a Simon and Garfunkel tribute album at times A lot of this album would fit in well at a ren faire Definitely have to be in a certain mood to enjoy this Guitars are fun Some songs got bluesy! I enjoyed those. I don't know why Sally was repeated so many times
Interesting mix of jazz and traditional folk music. It was a really nice change of pace and sounds unique compared to anything else I've heard on this list, but not something I'd want to listen to all the time. Light Flight was my favourite on first listen but it was all pretty good.
It isn't the salve I needed. It's like they're whispering when I want them to shout. Folk guitar plucks that should soothe just leave me antsy. It was one spin and done. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Light Flight - Once I Had a Sweetheart
This was interesting, but I don't think I really loved it. Three stars.
Kind of cool British folk. I like how British folk of the 60s is very medieval sounding. They do incorporate some blues elements, which for the time, probably felt like selling out to pop music. Overall, I enjoyed this!
Fuck no fuck you fuck this I feel like I’m back in fucking church! this is giving me fucking flashbacks to kneeling on a fucking pew and singing psalms with creepy Catholic men! why the fuck IS THIS ON HERE FUCK NO Like someone said, the musicianship and instrumentation can be commended while the whole album is still unlistenable.
356/1001 Pentangle - Basket of Light Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ I'd heard some Pentangle before on the likes of 6Music and enjoyed it, but never enough to delve deeper and this was a great listen. Perfect bit of folk rock on my way to work this morning. The slight turn towards country in the last couple of tracks didn't work nearly as well.
Ugh
If I was an elf in an enchanted wood, I still don’t think this would be for me. What even is this?
I've listened to lots of medieval music. It turned me bisexual, actually (long story). This is a great facsimile of it, really enjoyed the album
Being in Scotland when I got this certainly made me enjoy it more!
wiso töned die 60er johr sängerinne immer als hetteds en dütsche akzent? töned afoch alli wie d nico? aber d arrangements vode erste zwei songs sind super und ha d sängerin nöd wölle hate sie singt super und macht super chlini verzierige. und de bert jansch isch ade gitare höö. soringtime promises sehr cute song. funny. train song cool, babaadodoi. das ganze isch sehr prog aber akustisch finds huere interessanti mischig. ich finds glichzitig nöd spannend gnueg zum find woow ich will denn das nomel lose. i chegg nöd 2
hahah also wiso isch ihm druff ABER ich lieb bis jz light flight SEHR FEST es het so e liechtigkeit und ihre singsang WAUW ahh ihri art z singe erinneret mich chli ad joni mitchell! lyke-wake dirge het e cooli atmosphäre aber ischmer denn doch chli z fest mittelalterchor gsi poaah die jazzihflüss sind HOOOTTT vlt hani das eifach wegem sitar s gfühl, aber s het auchli öppis psychedelischs? train song isch iwie en komische song aber de gsang vo ihre isch eifach sooo GUEET, s het so öppis beruhigends und mystischs s het auchli öppis bossa nova mässigs? hans jz zwei mal durreglost und s isch würkli en kandidat für es 5i. will aber die letschte paar songs mich nümme glich packet und ich d inkludierig vo dem album uf dere liste nöd chegge, binimer na unsicher ES HET HALT AMIGS EN MITTELALTERVIBE UND ICH GLAUB DAS PACKT MICH (bzw. v.a. d perkussion) EGAL ICH HAN SO VILL LIEDER GSPEICHERET FUNF
I liked “Light Flight”. Female vocals lowk remind me of Kate Bush. A little weird of an album i gotta say.
Hmm - boring folk. Not for me, and I quite like folk music
Cool album, good musicianship
nice clear voice but wished she'd bring it down an octave got on my nerves by the end.
A bit much in places. Some okay songs and some are ludicrous.
I bet this was a pretty good opening act at the Isle of Wight once upon a time, but the English folk rock of the late '60's doesn't really do it for me.
Best Song: Once I had a Sweetheart This album is a little wild. Don't get me wrong, it's still folk but the voice, which reminded me of Joni Mitchell, took me by surprise with that high register that isn't common. I enjoyed this more than I would have imagined even though it still had a very 60s aesthetic to it, I'm looking at you sitar player. I would listen to this again if I were ever having a Guinness in England. 4/5.
Not your average folk album. Jazz influence and structure keeps things interesting. Guitars are very very good. Some early music influence. I’m absolutely glad I listened.
Hell yeah, man. THIS is white culture. Some alright fairytale folk in here.
pretty good stuff, altough musically quite unusual sometimes the vibe of this album is really nice - i love the female vocals
Ehhh, it’s fine. Not the biggest folk guy. 2.5⭐️ rounding down because 1 or 2 folk songs a day is plenty
Sure it has a bit of a medieval sound...but I do DIG the jazzy-folk sounds they got going on for the majority of it.
I like some folk music, but it has to have a little rock to it. This just sounded like it was from the middle ages and I just didn't like it.
This album feels like a guy wanted to sing medieval music and invited a dozen of his friends to play instruments behind him and see if they can derail his singing.
I was not in the mood for this. It has some fine ingredients, but it just kept plodding on and on. Was I stuck in a time loop, a medieval time loop?
Weirdly hypnotic
Not even an hour passed, I forgot the existence of the album altogether. Nice little folk album I guess.
I liked it, but aside from a few times it did not hold or capture my attention very much Standouts Hunting Song 3/5
7/10
Pretty boring folk-ish stuff but I can admit the guitar playing here is pretty unique.
Not for me.
Wow -- the singer has a beautiful voice! She really reminds me of the late Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries. I don't know why the dude sings some of the songs -- it's like driving a Pinto while having a Ferrari parked in the driveway at home. While I haven't been a big fan of the English folksong pop so far, I do like this album better than Fairport Convention. But it's the songs that sound different than the standard fare that I like the best. Light Flight sounds gorgeous with the vocals and whimsical guitar lines. I like Sally Go Round the Roses but it sounds like straight up blues rather than folksy. I could take or leave most of the rest of the album... especially when the male singer starts up...
Another example of good folk rock, much like Fairport Convention. It’s always moving in interesting directions sonically and is impressively composed. This isn’t a genre that has captured me enough to listen to it in my free time, though. 1 listen Favorite Track: Hunting Song
Expectation: -> Another band unknown to me. After listening: -> Decent folk music from the late (60s. All I really want to hear is the female vocalist. Perhaps I'm not giving this enough time and effort. My guess is that this album will not be one I remember for long. Track ranking: Cuckoo Light Lyke Sweetheart Carpenter Mountain Hunting Sally Angel Train Springtime
I liked this better than I thought I would though still not a ton
It’s not really my thing but it’s very easy to listen to.
Traditional British folk music. I liked it.
522/1089 - (Written when I first listened to this early on in the project) Didn't know folk jazz existed. It sounds really cool. I think this is what good experimental music sounds like to me. Lots of nice variation in drums and vocals (even if Bert is ridiculously flat most of the time) and all around great playing. One of my favorite red/orange albums.
I liked this more than I was expecting - it maybe helped that I got it on a very hot, sunny day. It's the perfect summer folk soundtrack for putting on a floaty dress, sticking some flowers in your hair and wandering down to your local park to build a Wickerman.
That's about as folk as you can get today. They're obviously talented so I can appreciate that.
Solid folk rock
That was ok. More haunting mellow music
Liked it better than I expected
I'm sure this was serious music at one point in time but currently hard to take it seriously. The folkiest folk band that every folked??
Female singer has a beautiful voice I’ll be fine if I don’t hear this again😬
Great voice. Not my vibe. Interesting to listen to though.
As a lover of Fairport Convention, I quickly became a lover of this.
Folk rock from the beatles era. Has a good variety of songs using some with sitar, some with jazz fusion and atmospheric sounds. Favorite track: once i had a sweetheart other picks: light flight, train song, sally go round the roses, hunting song
this is so bad. band sounded good but the voices were SO irritating. The woman sings like I do when I'm trying to sing bad.
Pretty but not something I would regularly tune in to
i felt like ia accidently walked in into a cult meeting
Cast a Vicious Mockery spell, this is some DnD shit! Or just stinky hippies? Regardless, it wasn't annoying when imagining them as a soundtrack to an RPG.
5 - AVERAGE
Interesting group and songs. Reminds me of some prominent 60s groups. Not bad, mellow.
Ren Faire realness
Not for me, was pretty boring honestly couldn't get into it at all
This was really bad. Hated the sitar, the music, the singing. 1/5
springtime promises
train song
medieval bard core glad I came across this album the kind of exploration I expected from this list
i eateth thine shyte upwards. lots of dnd vibes. i will say the voices are not my absolute fave but they fit the style. yeah idk what to say other than i really like it. more of a 4.5 but i think it deserves rounding up
#974. This sounds like some weird hippie sex cult music. 2/5: meh
This album was fine. It didn't grab me at any point, but there were pleasant moments. My biggest issue is that I feel there is better folk or folk-fusion albums, even from around the same time. I can understand why people would attach to this, especially if they are from England, as it seems like this reflects something about the nature of the English experience from the time, at least from some parts. However, overall, I really can't say that this feels essential.
What the hell was that? Music like this is exactly why I avoid medieval markets. After just two songs, I couldn't take it anymore and turned that crap off. 1/5
Like their later LPs better, but this one literally set the tone for the amplification of Celtic things.
Aggressively English-folk. Hints of Irish folk, too, with the melodies. But the unusually complex percussion and acoustic guitar parts suggest this record is a late-60s English concoction. Several Indian instruments appear in the sophomore track, Once I Had a Sweetheart, further accentuating the fact that Basket of Light emerged from the British psychedelia scene. McShee's singing fits with the genre perfectly; it's exactly what you think of when somebody says "European folk music", complete with the clean vibrato on every single high note. The first male singer to appear is Jansch, in Springtime Promises. His solo vocal is a bit weaker than McShee's, but the track in which he performs is high-energy and surprisingly good. Once I Had a Sweetheart isn't exactly a song I'd want to come back to, but even so it fascinates me. Influence from both Eastern and Western music, merged into one semi-cohesive piece... It isn't always done well, but in this case it is. After three songs that maintain a reasonably consistent level of energy, we get the mellow traditional tune Lyke-Wake Dirge, which is also the first to present us three-part harmonies. Cool. Train Song I'm on the fence about – it sounds very messy (particularly the vocal) – but ultimately it acts as a biting pickup after the previous song. Hunting Song is the only "great" song on Basket of Light, I think. Traded vocals, a quick yet hushed instrumental, tasteful use of glockenspiel, fairly clean production... the works, y'know? The almost-7-minute length flashes by in an instant. The songs following it never really live up to Hunting Song's glory, though they're all still passable. House Carpenter teeters, though, between pleasantness and "this is just Once I Had a Sweetheart v2.0". It drags on a little bit, too. I suspect this style of music is limited in terms of versatility. That, or I'm too uncultured to understand the nuance. 3/5 Key tracks: Hunting Song
High quality medieval folk rock. All acoustic instruments, the musicianship and vocals are way above average. Never heard this album but really enjoyed it.
amazing album to listen to while at the tavern. ok seriously this was some very nice stuff, i have a soft spot for stuff with this medieval type sound.
On first listen it gets a touch samey but I think going back to it would probably reveal more and I still like it.
curioso: a capa desse tem uma estética 2010s querendo ser retrô, tem som ou de uma banda folk de 2010s ou uma coisa meio folk/medieval/antiga, mas foi feito em 1969 ????? fiquei muito muito intrigada em como ele é tão retrô e ao mesmo tempo parece visionário. eu não salvei NENHUMA música do album na minha playlist de músicas favoritas dos 1001 albums (e esse é o principal critério que uso para dar 3+ estrelas), mas eu total ouviria ele completo se quisesse só ficar a toa deitada no sofá e impressionantemente, darei 4, mesmo sendo fora do meu estilo pessoal. as vezes ter conceito bom sustenta o album SIM.
It sounds very folk-y and incorporates a lot of sitar like a lot of folk musicians in the 60's. The album is very similar to the other 60's folk albums, and yet it retains a certain uniqueness. Very good!
This is really a 1, but goodness bless these guys for making it.
Fine - 60s uk folk, pretty well mastered
Cool album that reminded me a lot of Fairport Convention with a very similar appeal. You have these fluttery female harmonies frolicking through these very detailed and dynamic bits of Celtic-inspired folk-rock instrumentals, which are parts cold and moody, and parts vast and easygoing. Just that angelic hippie nature vibe fused with modern tavern music, pretty much. This was released in the late '60s, so of course there's quite a bit of psychedelia infused here, with heavy usage of Eastern progressions and instruments, especially on 'Once I Had a Sweetheart' and 'House Carpenter'. I'm not a huge fan of the male vocals here; when compared to the female leads at least, they just don't fit the vibe well enough and are nowhere near as expressive. I did like the hymn-esque harmonies of 'Lyke-Wake Dirge' though, a pretty odd turn for the album. Best song here ultimately was the snappy and crunchy 'Train Song'; I love the vocal riffing on this one, and the very clicky guitar playing on the outro as the song picks up pace was easily the grooviest thing here - great bass. The scenic storytelling of 'Hunting Song' was another undeniable highlight; again, I just really love the female vocals on this album, and the drum and bass groove nearing the end of this one is as infectious as they come. Solid take on this flavor of British folk music, very whimsical as I've come to expect from this music. Good time.
This is a project I knew nothing about going in other than that this has an absolutely stunning album cover, and after completing this project from front to back I am left a bit underwhelmed but also satisfied with its' quality. Don't get me wrong I enjoy Folk music, especially Folk Rock, but when it came to The Pentangle's Basket of Light it just felt like it ran out of ideas very early on and became very plain and dry by the end of the 40 minute runtime. Even with the nice harmonies, simple instrumentals, and slightly lengthy track times, this album still felt like it hit a brick wall after the first 2 tracks and never really recovered. I wish I was more into this but I left very empty-handed and slightly frustrated here. Don't know what else to say so I guess nuff said?...
It’s amazing how much I liked this album while disliking almost all of the songs. I’d put the style of most of the songwriting graciously in the realm of traditional folk music, like madrigal music, and I found it mostly uninteresting. However the textures and rhythms that the musicians used to frame the songs was superb. I loved everything the bass player chose and some of the guitar parts are crazy.
Not what I usually enjoy listening to, but a very good album with its own vibe and sound.
This is very much *not* my cup of tea, but it's clearly well composed and produced/recorded, and I can understand why it sold so well, especially since the BBC commandeered the opening track "Light flight" for the theme to a popular TV series. And nice to get another sampling from the apparently very influential Bert Jansch. One thing going for it, but probably also a weakness depending on your tastes, is how much more mainstream this album is than the likes of Fairport Convention. And tracks like "Springtime promises" and to some degree "Train song" (the highlight of the album for me) showcase their influence over artists like Donovan.
this sounded a little too much like something you'd hear at a Renaissance Festival
The first couple of songs were grating, but it turned into something more folk than medieval to my relief. Won't run back for another listen.
creepy pero m gusta,
Beards, flares, lots of 'man' in sentences. It reminds me of the music Oddball would have listened to in his Sherman tank I'd imagine he'd have told me to quit with those negative vibes
100% kesämusaa. Sopii luonnon keskelle. Keskiaikaisia laulumelofioita ja nykyaikaisia soittimia yhdistettynä, T. Eero.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would after reading the right up of the band. A few decent tunes but mostly hippy folk silliness
Complex and intricate music. A blend of folk and jazz, or better yet it feels both ancient and experimental. It's so interesting to listen to that it makes me want to learn more. I can hear traces of it in artists I enjoy, like Fleet Foxes, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Decemberists
OMG I've been ignoring this for days. I thought it would certainly be metal with a name like Pentangle. This is very pleasant! Very Free Design. A bit quirky baroque folk with some interesting separation in vocals and instruments to hear individuals. I'm probably not going to remember to ever put it on, but I'm happy with the discovery.
Just when you think todays album can’t possibly be worse than yesterday’s!
Loved this, will come back for more for sure.
Despite the haze of late-60s cheesiness, there is a lot of stunning music on here. The guitar duo play off each other brilliantly and the female singing is beautiful. Their arrangement of House Carpenter on this album is my new favorite arrangement of that traditional tune. 4 stars
I am a sucker for this folk music. Really liked it
Medieval, esquisito, e meio entediante. Não acontece muita coisa, e me parece bem esnobe. Mas para um disco folk, poderia ser pior. 2.5
Too folky for me but musicianship was interesting.
Liked parts of it but couldn’t get past the vocals. The singers sounded off-key and took me out of the music. I didn’t finish the album
q merda e essa cara porra vsf porra q odio do caralho
By Azura, by Azura, by Azura! It's the Grand Champion! I can't believe it's you! Standing here! Next to me!
Another rough go. I struggled on whether I wanted to give this a 1 star or 2, but I went with 2 since I am pretty sure there'll be worse
British folk and very meh.
got me feeling medieval as shit
Yeah- I just had to listen to Joan Baez’s 1960 debut. And I said there how much I have realized I strongly dislike the “folk movement” of the 60’s. I dislike its artifice. I actually really dig alt- country and singer- songwriter, so it seems I should be in to this. But… I… am not. I actually hate it. Why? Because it’s bullshit! Well made, perhaps, with good harmonization and perhaps a mastery of its instruments. But like Bob Dylan, I- don’t- buy -it. And speaking of Bob, shouldn’t an artist be able to create a character and write music for that, persona? Yes, absolutely. It’s just when the artist wants to convince me that the persona IS the real person that I balk. And honestly, that’s how the whole “folk” thing feels to me. Like a bunch of people dressing up for the renaissance fair and never taking off their costumes. Idk. I’m sure I will have a lot more space and time to ponder this. I mean I haven’t encountered ONE of Bob’s albums yet, and there have to be… many. Too many. So… anyway, this gets a 2. I should probably give it a 3. I gave Taylor Swift a 3. But you know what- I’d listen to Taylor any day over this. So 2. Boolean: no. Really. I don’t think I need any folk movement representation. I mean maybe for knowledge. But once you’ve heard one…
Light flight - 3 Once i had a sweetheart - 2 Springtime promises - 3 Lyke-wake dirge - 2 Train song - 2 Hunting song - 3 Sally go round the roses - 3 The cuckoo - 2 House carpenter - 3
I love all of the sounds that this group make with acoustic instruments exclusively, including the odd sitar. The musicians are tight and I like the occasional odd time signatures. Liked Songs Added: Light Flight Springtime Promises
Great musicianship and singing…albeit in a genre I haven’t got much time for. Big surprise for me was noticing how the opening/title track could almost have been lifted from a Radiohead album, eg In Rainbows. And some later songs were quite like Belle and Sebastian. Glad to have heard it.
Soaking wet.
There are a few bright spots -- the vocals from Jacqui McShee are unique and pretty, and some of the guitar is good. The opening track is probably the highlight. I don't really care for the male vocals in this project -- especially on House Carpenter where they're really painful to listen to. I'm not a big fan of the medieval-sounding songs and lyrics either. Given some of the strong competition in the late 60s and early 70s, I don't think this is something I'd have listened to very much at the time. It's not bad, but not really for me. A light 3.
I liked the blending of harmonies.
Folktastic! Frankly sounds almost like it’s satire to my ears (Vic and Bob vibes). Some pretty tunes, but it’s all just too overblown on the vocals. 2
What have I just listened to? Why did someone feel I needed to listen to this?
It's got chill cafe background music vibes
Great, ecliptic little folk album. Chill vibe, great singing voice, and surprised me a few times. Really enjoyed it.
Feel like I’m in a catholic mass.
This was fine. Not exciting. 2/5
I was really not expecting to like this album. At first I thought it was going to be an a cappella boys group. Then I thought perhaps Gregorian Chant. When I saw it was an English folk rock ensemble from the 60s my first thought was “here we go, Lamb“ but it was anything but. Clearly these are good musicians and they combine so many elements it never gets boring. I will say that I enjoyed the album more than each individual song, but that’s not necessarily a complaint.
Álbum muito agradável. Suave e muito rico musicalmente. Instrumentos e vocais belíssimos. Surpresa positiva. QoA Adonis New.
it would be ok of it wasn't for the vocals
Ascolto falsato ma erano ok i pezzi
Synes egentlig det er OK, ikke så meget mere. Jeg er ikke vild med den kvindelige forsangers stemme - jeg forestiller mig lidt at Wendy fra the Shining synger som hun gør :D Måske mest på de to første numre Det er meget godt, en treer, middel middel middel
Ikke lige min kop te. Det er lidt for meget lut. Helt ærligt, hvad laver det her album på listen? På det der 'Springtime Promises' lyder det som om, de har hevet Povl Kjøller med. Er 'Lyke-Wake Dirge' bare en salme? Hvorfor følges det op af en slags slap-guitar på 'Train song'? Egentlig syntes jeg, at Rock Lobster fra gårsdagens B-52s-album var det underligste musik, jeg nogensinde har hørt. Pentangle overgår det heller ikke, men de gi'r B-52s et run for their money, det er fandme mærkeligt det her, men på et meget mere indre missions-, Ringkøbing-, folkemusik-i-laden-i-North-Yorkshire-agtigt grundlag. De er dygtige, og det er egentlig det, der trækker det op. Det er jo heller ikke elendigt, det er bare underligt, kedeligt og dybt uinspirerende. Jeg er nok igen i det gavmilde hjørne her, når jeg giver den: 1.8
A bit too on the folky side, though there we a few standout tracks. It is fine, but I probably don’t need to listen to it again.
Basket of Shite
Este es el tipo de álbum que me recuerda que son ¡1001 álbumes! y que para llegar a ese número tan grande tenían que poner cosas regulares tirando a malas
A bit dreary
Meh. Folk. Ok, men ikke noget jeg gider bruge mere tid på.
Nogle af fortolkningerne af traditionelle folkeviser fra de Britiske Øer er faktisk ret interessante. Jeg er ret forbløffet over hvor godt produceret albummet er. Alt står knivskarpt i lydbilledet.
I’m absolutely in LOVE with this album. I got goosebumps from the first note and it only kept adding up as the album progressed. Not a single song I didn’t fall in love with. I listened to Lyke-Wake Dirge on repeat until I could force myself to move on. Life changing experience.
You can almost smell this music! Really liked it but there are very few people I would openly admit that to.
Good musicality and enjoyed the folk stye
Some good musicianship, good blusey guitar in the background of some of the songs. But mostly music for pixies to dance to.
Bit of a medieval feel going on, but not too bad
More pretty good hippy rock. Strong
Nice
This has received a bit of a kicking on the generator site; in typical fashion, it's somewhat avant-garde and something that I rather like. Jazz-inflected acoustic psych-folk with a real intricacy and technical prowess to the arrangements, whilst managing remain evocative. Plus, any album that incorporates a sitar is bound to perform well for me. Several tracks, not least "Light Flight" are a fascinating exercise in alternating between odd-metered time signatures, whilst the vocals throughout the album have a ghastly, outsider-like charm to them; instilling feelings of anxiety as they soar over the earthy instrumentation. The heartbeat of the warm, woody bass guitar really does provide for a wonderful contrast. I thoroughly enjoyed all of this and would absolutely buy it. I'm really not saying that to be contrarian.
I don't really agree with everyone's statements that the album sounded medieval. It is certainly pretty folky, which i enjoy. But medieval? Ehhhhhhhh
Starts strong with Light Flight and fades.
This album made me want to frolic gaily through the British countryside with a crown of ivy on my head. Possibly I'm naked too, weiner swinging. Haven't decided. Nice find.
Really unique tunes here! It reminded me of 60s Simon and Garfunkel. Folksy, but psychedelic. A couple of songs I didnt groove too, but I got through the entire album at least 3 times Favorites: Light Flight, Springtime Promises and Train Song.
Это просто скрытый гем, настоящий алмаз среди однородного бритпопа и средненького рока. Тут фолковые и этнические мотивы переплетаются с психоделией 60-х, создавая сказочную, воздушную атмосферу, приключенческий дух и эзотерический вайб. Первый же трек начинаетсся с 5/4 и музыкальные сложности для душнил не заканчиваются на этом. Это один из самых интересных альбомов, которые мне тут попадались, и я ни разу не слышал про эту группу.
Absolutely not for me, but I can see the appeal it is very well-made.
Beautiful! The traditional folk/acoustic/analog instruments and angelic vocal arrangements made this a magical listen. There really wasn't a moment I didn't enjoy. I bet this band would've been neat to see perform live.
Who was the public for this album? It was good, don´t get me wrong, but it felt as if someone mixed ketchup and ice cream.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honestly couldn't be bothered with this level of medievalist mimsy today. Don't really care for the playing even if it is objectively high calibre.
One of the keywords being hippie lmao 4/5
On the right day, I could really get behind this medieval folk type of music. Today was just not the day, but happy to give it another try later. Can definitely see this influencing Cosmos Sheldrake, which I will always appreciate. Sally Go Round the Roses felt like the standout track
This album epitomises my opinion of folk-pop-rock. The music is really nicely played, but the olde worlde vocals (especially McShee, but also the blokes) just really grate.
70s style. It was ok
It’s alright.
Randomly a church song in there idk why. Maybe this is a hot take but this was a fun listen. 4/5
Didn’t find it quite as compelling as fairport convention but it was still solid
Good album, but it didn’t capture my attention.
Traditional English tunes with ripping guitar and jazzy rhythms. Sign me up!
I've always really loved "Sally Go 'Round the Roses", admired Bert Jansch's artistry, and been intrigued by the all-acoustic-instruments approach of this record. Maybe it's just because I'm already an established fan of some other (in my opinion) superior recordings of "The Cuckoo", "House Carpenter", and "Once I Had a Sweetheart", but I found myself quite underwhelmed with this album on first listen. Jacqui McShee's vocals consistently come across a bit too precious for me, and although I know comparison is the thief of joy, I often found myself wishing I was just listening to Fairport Convention instead. 3/5
A lot of people here freak out if the music isn’t Radiohead or power chords. This is a cool album that dives into English folk. Really had no idea about English folk scene so this was a cool draw. A lot of cool sounds and songs using interesting instrumentation.
Regrock. Not too dissimilar to Songs from the wood. Fun time signatures
4/10
This is one of those where you really have to let the escapism take hold. Close your eyes and imagine yourself watching these guys perform live in a circle or something. It’s not that easy to resonate with this kinda stuff when you’re like, sitting in your cubicle at 10am. But if you can get on its wavelength (and I got there), it’s a lovely listen. I wish there was a healthy movement of traditional folk in our current times to be honest. Anyway this is great. Is it a must-listen? Truthfully it doesn’t give me anything I couldn’t get from the two excellent Fairport Convention albums I’ve gotten from this list. And these guys have a full discography with other records that look intriguing. So…nah. This won’t go on my list. But only for repetition reasons. By itself it’s a wonderful listen.
The guitarist is out of this world and the sitar adds a dimension to this that would never have been discovered without it. Amazing stuff
Record Store Guy in the town I lived in most recently loved this band. He talked about the time Pentangle played at the small college like it was the moon landing. I think this is real folk music. But it is not overly compelling to me.
Well now, I'm not sure if I ended up with the extended version of this or not, but I believe I may have. Basically it does what it says on the can. A folk band performing folk songs. And I have to say they did it well. But there was just too much of it for me. I have no issues with traditional folk song done well, but did we really need 3 different versions of Sally and those bloody roses. I don't mind folk music but it's not my bag. Had a bit of a run of these, but its another 2.
Despite the cliched vocals, it was very listenable! 2 big stars!!
To really appreciate this I had to sit on the floor cross legged while burning incense. I was really digging the vibe man. I was so in the moment waving my head from side to side and having some sort of epiphany towards the end of the second version of 'Sally go round the Roses', at that point the wife had just come home from work and tripped over me while rushing to open all the windows. Little did I realise in my heightened state with nature, the room was waist height with smoke. So abruptly brought crashing back down to earth was I that I realised I had actually enjoyed listening to this. Now fully recovered from this strange experience, I am now dying from shame having to admit this to the wife.
Oh my god. The Generator is a capricious bastard. It gives me this for my milestone 400th album: the exact formula to set my eyes rolling as hard as they can. Painfully earnest, 1960s fairy folk, complete with what sounds like harps and bells, and a saccharine female vocal fluttering through it all. Their musical proficiency and my strong suspicion that they are covering traditional folk songs, which are to be respected, just edges this into a 2.
Gear: Moondrop Variations Artwork: 🏟️🌜🪔 Production: 👂🩺🧈 Music: 🪕⚔️😂 Rating: 🗡️(🛡️)/5
Muy interesante, es un álbum con sonidos muy medievales y completamente acústico, acompañado de cánticos casi angelicales, fue un descubrimiento muy interesante pero tampoco es súper entretenido.
Like I'd been transported back in time to the first Glastonbury
Absolutely excruciating
This is okay. The British folk stuff is seminal but the Americana is unconvincing. The sitar probably seemed like a novel sound at the time (thanks, George Harrison!) but adds an even more oddball international element to the songs. I know it's unfair, but every time I hear Pentangle I wish I was listening to Fairport Convention. Train Song and Hunting Song are hypnotic though (complimentary).
adoro la copertina, belle vibes soprattutto le prime canzoni
Folk Rock beauty.
It's not really possible to talk about a British folk rock band without comparing them to Fairport Convention, so I'll just say that Pentangle are more psychedelic, more acoustic, and somewhat less beautiful.
Curious album that sounds out of its time, but then again fits the late sixties very well. Good vocals, good playing, but it all gets old pretty soon.
Very late 60’s jamming trippy guitar musics. Nice to have on in the background, but I’m not overly wild about it. Kind of boring after a while for me. Enjoyed the xylophone in “Hunting Song” between the interweaving voices.
Truly never know what to expect with this list. I used to study to music like Lyke-Wake Dirge in undergrad, so I very much have a soft spot for this. Even though I will probably never return to this album
Herlig trolsk folk. Liker ikke når kisen synger.
Ikke for meg.
Havner et sted mellom 2-3. Skal gi denne en ny sjanse.
Hyggelig.
Hørt på solsenga på Granka.
Folkemusikk med middelaldervibes er vanligvis ikke min kopp te, men her var det flere låter som leverte en stemning av historisk sus.
Good grief, time to swing your pants 😬
Gah. I hated this. I'm giving them a generous bonus point because I'm noting the year and hoping this was novel, but a lot of it sounded like medieval courtyard music, so I can't think so. The man's vocals, terrible, they shouldn't let him sing.
I feel like i'd like it more with the help of drugs. not terrible.
I enjoyed this more than I thought. But it went on just a bit too long and the balance shifted to be too traditional in the parts of the album.
Pagan Pixie Prog. Kinda weird,
Didn’t hate it as far as Folk albums go so that’s a resounding endorsement from me. The jazzier styled and structured tracks work best here. Better when they’re not singing about Jesus.
Interesting
Enjoyed the Celtic sounds
This album was instrumentally impressive. I can appreciate the level of talent that went into writing the music. The problem is I just didn’t really care for it. I found the vocals to be grating at times, which really hurt my opinion of it. As a whole this really is a case of “not my cup of tea” because it wasn’t a bad album or something I was frustrated by, but it didn’t connect with me at all and it didn’t inspire me creatively. Definitely won’t be coming back to this album, but I wouldn’t be put off if I saw more from this artist in the future.
2.0 Of all the medieval British folk music I've listened to this is right up there with the best. The only issue is I dont listen to medieval British folk music and I dont think I ever will again .
Cute renfair folk. Not bad
I enjoyed Bert Jansch’s other album on here so not surprised it was the same here. It really picked up steam as it went making it a record I wouldn’t mind coming back to. Rating: 3.3
Primeiro álbum que penso "puta merda, não acaba nunca". Fiquei entediada o tempo todo que pegava pra escutar, e mesmo assim, não conseguindo mesmo fragmentando em cada hora do meu dia. Não tive nenhum interesse na banda e nem no álbum em si, pra mim, o conceito todo é sem graça. A música mais próxima de "finalmente, vem ai algo bom?" foi "Train Song". Escutei picado, e foi uma das experiências mais chatas com um álbum que tive.
Mierda, caca, heces, excremento, sorete, y por que no, diarrea.
Not a top 5,000 album chanting that really not good at all.
Albums like this make me question why I'm doing this project. 3 stars
Ass
This wasn’t for me
I could hear influential bits and pieces, at times reminding me of Belle and Sebastian and even Stereolab, but overall not for me.
This was a pretty good album, though it feels like a culmination of a few different groups, just not done as well. It sounds medieval at points and then it starts to sound like Donovan, and then into a myriad of other folk group. I do not think I will actively choose this again but who knows. Biggest Hit - Light Flight Biggest Miss - Lyke-Wake Dirge or why are there three versions of Sally Go Round The Roses on it? Hidden Gem - I Saw An Angel
Better than anticipated.
Zone out a fair bit. Don't know why Sally goes round the roses is on there 3 times.
I liked Sally Go Round the Roses (though only the original), but thought the rest was quite annoying
Absolutely not my thing but relaxing enough to listen to. Lots of diddly ding lyrics and twanging instruments with home spun philosophical messages. All very fair maid and my true love, etc. Very dated.
Pretty indistinct psychedelic folk from the late ’60s with sitar and medieval lyrical themes throughout. Pleasant enough, but ultimately not very memorable.
Mystical folk. I dig it
Rätt okay vokal brittiskt folkmusik, kompetent men inget jag går igång på. En trea
This is #day613 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to some psychedelic jazzy folk from the late '60s. Not something I'd ever choose to put on by myself, let alone on my birthday, which happens to be today, but not something I'm that against either. I'm quite a fan of this era, after all. Let it be a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day614.
Nice psych-folk
This was a surprise to me. Good vocals, very psychedelic.
fun, dainty, viby
Very immediately delighted by the sounds. Listening the day after seeing Kishi Bashi. I wonder if related. Given folky jazzy vibes. Sort of wandering through the Scottish highlands energy. All acoustic, lovely. I don’t love her voice though? Read some interesting drums facts I don’t understand and will investigate further re time signatures.
Dude i have a black plague, save the princess, or drink ale with fellow adventurers and mercenaries im going to put this on. Or just a renaissance fair. FOLK IS MY S#!@ 8/10
The soundtrack to a renaissance fair
I was expecting early English heavy metal - so a folk jam was an unexpected surprise. I have listened about three times now and cannot quite make up my mind - I do like English folk vibes, the tight instrumentals and the female vocals - not so keen on the sitars and there does not appear to be a stand out track (even when they do Sally 3 times). I will definitely listen again and will give benefit of doubt and score it a 4.
Basket of Light With its combination of medieval vibes, folky, bluesy, jazzy shuffles and Eastern influences it feels like this could very easily be quite awful. But somehow it's the opposite, it’s fantastic, beguiling and odd, with some fantastic melodies and atmospheres, and some characteristically excellent Bert Jansch guitar playing. It also reminded me of the excellent Matthew Holness character of Merriman Weir. There’s no doubt there’s more than a touch of Diana has put away her bosom, Apollo has lifted his skirt, the day has been launched, but rather than evoking Renfaire cosplay for me it more highlights the creepiness of much of the old folk music they are drawing from, not least in their version of House Carpenter, a song I love. Of the original compositions I love Light Flight, Springtime Promises is excellent, Train Song is catchy in a brilliantly odd way, as is Hunting Song. Alongside House Carpenter, The Cuckoo is also excellent, and the cover of Sally Goes Round the Roses is fantastic, particularly the folk-country-rock guitar. I thought this was fantastic, treading the line between Steeleye Span and acid folk brilliantly to make a uniquely excellent album 🧺🧺🧺🧺🧺 Playlist submission: Could be any song, but I’ll go Once I Had a Sweetheart
This album is half traditional songs and half original numbers. The traditional songs are interpreted with a shot of originality and feel very much of the late 60s era - 'Once I Had a Sweetheart ' for example is superbly brought to life with tabla, sitar and cello. Jacqui McShee has an excellent vocal for this - it's not faultless like Sandy Denny but it has a perfect charm, like many altern-folk bands of later years (like Low or that sort of band). It has the cool delivery of jazz; and so she can scat without sounding trite ('Train Song'), where her 'ooby dooing' rather lifts the whole song. But then the whole band is superb. 'Light Flight' is a curious mix of traditional folk, with touches of jazz, and quite the sublime build, backed by strings and some excellently atmospheric warbling. It's a bonkers time signature, yet doesn't feel pretentious at all. It's reflective of the album as a whole, which is full of gems.
Very weird, medieval style folk music. Not a fan
Every time I'm presented with an album like this, I'm wondering what's been left off the list that could replace it and make the list even stronger. This is militantly pleasant music and just nothing I need to hear again. Whenever I hear an album like this, or music like this...I just think about everyone in the entire country of the United States. People on farms in the midwest, people in urban areas, sprawling suburban communities....people that live in the mountains, people that live near the beach. People that live in high desert areas and people that live in the plains. People that own homes both huge and massive and small and cozy. People that own a condo, people that rent an apartment. All shapes, sizes, races, religions. And I wonder if anyone of these people on their own free will actually decided to listen to this album today. I wonder if anyone thought, "Man, I'd just love to listen to some Pentangle right now," and threw this album on. And I don't think anyone did.
I really enjoyed this album. I listened to it on one of the first warm and sunny days of the year, and it just felt right. The instrumentals have some cool little riffs and dont just feel like 4 open chords playing on loop, and the singers voice was beautiful.