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For six relentlessly active years spanning 1967-73 British folk/jazz 'supergroup' Pentangle were one of the most exciting and innovative groups in the world, genuinely pushing boundaries and exploring new musical avenues.
The band was formed in 1967 by hip young guitar slingers Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, already leading lights of the folk scene at the time thanks to their startlingly innovative songs and guitar playing. John added extraordinary vocalist Jacqui McShee, an established singer on the traditional circuit, along with hugely experienced and talented jazz rhythm section Danny Thompson (acoustic bass) and Terry Cox (drums). The two had originally performed together in Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and with numerous well-known names on the London jazz scene.
With their unique jazz/folk fusion Pentangle quickly became both stars of the underground and darlings of the mainstream. From humble beginnings at the Horseshoe Hotel in Tottenham Court Road, the heart of swinging '60s London, Pentangle’s first concert appearance as a band was at The Royal Festival Hall on May 27 1967. They went on to enjoy an unprecedented degree of success worldwide for an acoustic band, performing regularly at The Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Fillmore East (alongside Canned Heat and Rhinoceros), The Fillmore West (alongside The Grateful Dead), Newport Folk Festival and two Isle of Wight Festivals – amongst many other prestigious shows.
Pentangle's eponymous debut album was released in May 1968 on Transatlantic and they went on to record four more classic albums for the label. The live disc of their seminal double album Sweet Child was recorded at The Royal Festival Hall in London on June 29 1968 and the album (one live disc and one studio disc) appeared in November 1968. Their third album, Basket of Light, was released in October 1969 and contained their hit single ‘Light Flight’ which was the theme tune for the BBC’s hugely popular series Take Three Girls. Basket of Light was followed by Cruel Sister in November 1970 and Reflection in October 1971, before the band signed to Reprise for 1972's Solomon's Seal. This proved to be the last album from the original line up who played their final UK shows in November of that year. Rumours of the group splitting up surfaced in January and were confirmed by the spring of 1973.
Pentangle’s influence and musical impact is still revered and relevant today, as evidenced by the critical and commercial acclaim for The Time Has Come – the lavish and definitive four CD box set released in March 2007 (which is both a gloriously accessible ‘best of’ for the curious and a treasure trove of lost gems for the faithful) – and Pentangle’s BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award presented in February 2007 at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards by Sir David Attenborough – as well as by legions of young emulators and self-confessed disciples on the current music scene.
“The Folk Beatles…The greatest and most adventurous acoustic ‘supergroup’ of their time” – The Word (April 2007)
“Pentangle still rule the roost” – The Times (9 February 2007)
“Pentangle revolutionised 60s music” – MOJO (April 2007)
“The godfathers of English folk music…unquestionably the core template for today's blooming nu-folk scene” – Metro (23 March 2007)
“Pentangle was electrifying, particularly at a time of unprecedented free thinking in music. Together they created an intoxicating instrumental force” – Jazzwise (April 2007)
“One of the most experimental and influential bands of the Sixties” – The Sun (23 February 2007)
“Pentangle rewrote the Britfolk rulebook…America has nothing to match them” – The Daily Mirror (9 March 2007)
“Britain's Grateful Dead” – The Guardian (16 March 2007)
Thanks for extending your friendship, you were responsible for introducing me to folk music, and hence, a whole new world of magic, so many years ago. Your inspired music is the perfect soundtrack to life. The profile photo of myself and John, a complete gentleman, whom i had the privilege to meet and talk all things guitar at a recent workshop in the Dales. Hope you all plan on touring again, sometime soon. Saw you in Gateshead. Incredible vibe.
Thank you for accepting our friend request!! Really appreciate it. Wish you an awesome wednesday. Rock and Rollon!! =) Very best regards from Merlin’s Company!
“Beware of the armadilloes whose dark shadows sweeps the streets”
Dear Pentangle. Ever since I was introduced to one of your vinyl recordings, I have been thoroughly impressed by your musical abilities. Rarely does one find a band where each of the musicians is brilliant in their own right, and the combination of all of these becomes an additive effect of all the talents. I have your CDs. On a brief visit to the UK I was lucky to see Bert live, but sadly didn't get to see any of the others: this remains a dream for me. Keep up the good music.
