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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)
Currrently writing with Adam Jansch, son of legendary Pentangle guitarist and founding member Bert Jansch. Check out my comments from long-term Kate Bush collaberator Del Palmer!
Thanks for the tour, guys (and Gal!) Speaking to John at the Philharmonic and he told me it had been "F*****g amazing". I wholeheartedly agree. See you at the Green Man festival.
Hey folks! We decided to have a band night out in the big city of Glasgow and catch Pentangle at the Concert Hall. Great night! Couldn't have asked for better! Hope you will do it all again some day!
Good things entered my brain this evening at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall though my nose thought differently... ...i'm sure I could smell John's socks ;)
Thanks for accepting my request, you great people. Your music is immortal and seeing you live in Brimingham was an unforgettable experience! Keep inspiring our ears, minds and souls!
Thanks for a wonderful show on the 29th, you were awesome and I feel honoured to have been there and experienced it. Good luck with the rest of the tour. Chris
You were fantastic the other sunday at the Festival Hall guys. Awesome sound and playing...it was amazing how intimate the whole evening felt...one of the most awe inspiring performances I have ever experienced and one that I know, will be hard to match. Hats off to you all and to the supporting crew.
safety n peace from a huge fan here in somerset
Chris :)
ps here's a pic I took of bert at ATP a couple of years back...another great set
Hi! I came all the way from Italy to see you yesterday at the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Now I'm back in Rome and it seems to me a dream to have seen you all together once again. I still can't believe it! It was really magical, the atmosphere was deep and informal and one could really tell the spirit of the music is still there with you on stage after all these years. Ciao, with love, Gab
It's so nice to hear you. I am glad you are still doing music. It would be wonderful if you came to Tucson someday. Thank you for the friendship. Peace, Nancy
Hi Guys Big thank you for the RFH gig the other night. I never thought that I would get to see you with my mum who introduced me to your music from when I was born or perhaps earlier.
Thoroughly enjoyed the night. John and the sitar was particularly amazing but not forgetting Danny's bass, Jacqui's singing, Terry's Drums and Bert's guitar and singing.
Thank you all so much for such an incredible evening of music last night. You were mind blowing. I couldn't have wished for a better gig to witness. Good luck with the rest of the tour.
