Much better known for his work with British folk-rock outfit Pentangle, Jansch began his career as an outstanding singer/songwriter playing some stunning acoustic guitar. The album was recorded at Jansch's London flat on a rickety tape player, so the sound suffers a bit. Despite this, it is a classic British folk album that is sure to delight his fans.
The Fairports became decidedly more British with this album, despite a healthy dose of Dylan obscurities. Featuring what is generally regarded as the classic lineup with Sandy Denny on lead vocals and Richard Thompson on guitar, the record is a genuine 60s folk-rock classic. Top track is Denny's exquisite 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes?'.
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Five Leaves Left Nick Drake 1969 [Hannibal]
Nick Drake made three stunningly beautiful, albeit dark albums in his short lifetime. This was his debut - a finely crafted, well produced record with a couple of British folk's finest in support. Unfortunately the album did not sell well, which started Drake on the road to clinical depression. A fine guitarist with an emotionally wrenching voice.
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Liege & Lief Fairport Convention 1969 [A&M]
With this Fairport Convention showed that traditional music played on acoustic instruments could make it in a rock n roll world. Fans would lament that this would be vocalist Sandy Denny's last outing with the band, despite several terrific lineups that followed. Richard Thompson's guitar is the perfect foil for Dave Swarbrick's fiddle throughout.
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Just Another Diamond Day Vashti Bunyan 1970 [Dicristina Stair]
Art school dropout who dabbled in folk-rock before setting off in a horse-drawn wagon on a quest to meet Donovan, penning a few terrific songs along the way. The result was this one-off gem that features some great support from members of the Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention. Beautiful acoustically-oriented pastoral folk.
A Beard of Stars Tyrannosaurus Rex 1970 [Blue Thumb/Regal Zonophone]
Before Marc Bolan's mammoth success as a glam-rocker fronting T Rex he was a quirky folkster obsessed with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. This record was made after Steve Took left the duo and was replaced by Mickey Finn. Although Bolan gets electrical at times it is still basically a folk effort, with a 30-track expanded edition now available.
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Hark! The Village Wait Steeleye Span 1970 [RCA]
The only real contender to the Fairport throne, the original Steeleye Span lineup consciously set out to pursue traditionally-oriented folk directions. As such, this record is much earthier than later more commercially successful efforts. A strong vocal lineup, front-lady Maddy Prior and multi-instrumentalist Tim Hart are outstanding.
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The Lady and the Unicorn John Renbourn 1971 [Reprise/Sanachie]
This instrumental set finds Pentangle guitarist John Renbourn in fine form playing a mix of medieval/Renaissance tunes and more traditional folk numbers. Also contributing is consummate Anglo-folk violinist Dave Swarbrick. As the cover suggests, the sensation one gets while listening is like being at King Arthur's court reading Tolkien.
