Record Reviews
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  | PENTANGLE ~ ONE MORE ROAD / LIVE 1994
HUX 089 (Barcode: 682970000893) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1993 - 1994 Released: 2007
PentangleFind albums by this artist, the finest of the many UK Folk-Rock bands, went through two distinct life cycles. The original band, which was active between 1968 and 1972, left us a wonderful legacy of 6 splendid album released originally on the legendary UK folk oriented TransatlanticFind albums on this label label and reissued (and expanded) on CD by CastleFind albums on this label. That period was also documented by the release of the original band’s BBC recordings on the HuxFind albums on this label label in 2004 (The Lost Broadcasts 1968-1972Find albums with this title). In 1984 two of Pentangle’s founding members singer Jacqui McSheeFind albums by this artist and guitarist John RenbournFind albums by this artist reformed the band again. This second incarnation of the band started off with the five original members but later on went through many personnel changes until the final version of the band crystallized around 1989 and kept together till 1994. This last version of the band included Jacqui, Bert JanschFind albums by this artist and three other Folk-Rock veterans: Nigel Portman-SmithFind albums by this artist (bass, piano and vocals – ex Magna CartaFind albums by this artist), Gerry ConwayFind albums by this artist (drums – ex FotheringayFind albums by this artist and Jethro TullFind albums by this artist) and Pete KirtleyFind albums by this artist (guitar - ex Alan Price SetFind albums by this artist, GriffinFind albums by this artist, Riff RaffFind albums by this artist and many other bands). The second Pentangle recorded also 6 albums, three of which were recorded by the last lineup above. Alas these albums are almost completely neglected and have been out of print for many years. This beautiful album brings us splendidly remastered versions of the last two Pentangle albums: One More RoadFind albums with this title – the last studio album and Live 1994Find albums with this title – their swan song. There is hardly any need to recommend these masterpieces to a serious Folk-Rock fan. Let’s just be grateful this material is available again and enjoy every minute of it to the fullest. Brilliant!
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PENTANGLE ~ THE ALBUMS
CHERRY RED BOX 41 (Barcode: 5013929104105) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1968 - 1972 Released: 2017
This exquisite Box Set presents the reissues of all the six albums recorded by the first incarnation of the legendary British Folk-Rock group PentangleFind albums by this artist, which existed between 1967 and 1973 and recorded the following albums between 1968 and 1972: "The PentangleFind albums with this title" (released 1968), "Sweet ChildFind albums with this title" (released 1968 as a double LP), "Basket Of LightFind albums with this title" (released 1969), "Cruel SisterFind albums with this title" (released 1970), "ReflectionFind albums with this title" (released 1971) and finally "Solomon`s SealFind albums with this title" (released 1972). The first five of these albums were originally released on TransatlanticFind albums on this label Records and the sixth on RepriseFind albums on this label Records. All six albums were reissued on CD by CastleFind albums on this label Records between 2001 and 2003 in expanded versions, adding bonus tracks. This Box Set edition adds a plethora of additional bonus tracks, some of which appeared on the 4CD Box Set compilation "The Time Has Come: 1967-1973Find albums with this title" (released by Castle in 2007), but most are previously unreleased, which of course makes this Box Set even more desirable that it already is.
The original Pentangle lineup featured on these albums included the charismatic vocalist blessed with an angelic voice: Jacqui McSheeFind albums by this artist, two exquisite and virtuosic guitarists: John RenbournFind albums by this artist and Bert JanschFind albums by this artist and superbly Jazzy rhythm section: bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry CoxFind albums by this artist, which together were unparalleled to any other outfit at the time and presented a brilliant amalgam of British Folk, Rock and Jazz, spiced with virtuosic vocal harmonies and instrumental parts. The music is a mixture of superb original material and fabulous arrangements of traditional tunes, all spotlessly and wonderfully performed by the group´s members.
Pentangle basically established the rules of Folk-Rock, Prog-Folk, Jazz-Folk and similar sub-genres, for generations to come and all British Folkies from that time on tried to follow their steps, as the genre flourished between late 1960s and late 1970s. The competition was fierce with such excellent acts as StrawbsFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist and others, but Pentangle maintained the leading position until the band fell apart in 1973, only to return by the early 1980s, but that is another story altogether.
This Box Set includes hours of exquisite music, which although closely related to British Folk encompasses various other genres and is diverse, elegant, interesting and entertaining. I can hardly imagine any serious music collection not including this music and if someone does not already own these albums on vinyl or earlier CD reissues, this Box Set is the ultimate solution. An absolute must have by any standard!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 19/05/2018 | CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | PENTANGLE ~ THE TIME HAS COME: 1967-1973
CASTLE 0664 (Barcode: 5050159166497) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1973 Released: 2007
British Folk-Rock band PentangleFind albums by this artist was the finest representative of the Folk-Rock genre and their unique blend of Folk, Rock and Jazz enriched the music world immensely. With the combined talents of singer Jacqui McSheeFind albums by this artist, guitarists John RenbournFind albums by this artist and Bert JanschFind albums by this artist, bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry CoxFind albums by this artist they were unbeatable and reached beyond anything the audiences were familiar with. The amazing vocal harmonies and the dazzling guitar duos, backed by the best rhythm section on the British Isles were a blast. The band went through two distinct “life cycles”, the first of which is documented on this lavish and beautiful Box Set. The music includes some studio tracks released on the band’s albums, but over 70 % of the tracks are previously unreleased and include singles, outtakes, soundtracks and a plethora of live recordings. The first 2 CDs cover studio material and the other two include live material (concert, radio and TV) and soundtracks. I can’t even imagine any Folk-Rock / Pentangle fan not having this beauty in their collection.
| | Updated: 26/08/2020Posted: | CD 4 Box Set Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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