The Best of Bert Jansch

by Bert Jansch

Overview

This collection proves that Bert Jansch isn't only one of the great guitar players, but also a writer of astonishing depth and complexity. "Needle of Death," "Running, Running From Home," and so many others have added to the canon of British folk songs, going on to become part of the standard repertoire of singer/songwriters. He is also a superb interpreter on an instrumental level, taking Davy Graham's "Angi" to heights its composer never imagined, and making the Irish song "Blackwaterside" (learned from girlfriend Anne Briigs) into a classic that would be transmuted by Led Zeppelin into "Black Mountain Side" -- which speaks volumes about the extent of Jansch's influence (Jimmy Page use to come and watch him play in London folk clubs, studying his technique). While this focuses on his solo work, which has continued to be a mainstay of his long career, his duets with John Renbourn and his work in Pentangle have made him into an icon (albeit with feet of clay, given the alcoholism he eventually beat). Few can match his delicacy on the fretboard or his somewhat wistful way with his voice -- casual, almost tossed-off on "It Don't Bother Me," then ruminating and caressing on a cover of Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Here, then, are all the facets of Bert Jansch -- the singer, the writer, the player, the interpreter. He is indeed a man of many facets, each one glittering and gem-like. For once, this is a best-of that truly lives up to its name, and someone who truly deserves one. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	06/22/1992
Label:	Shanachie
UPC:	0016351990426
Rank:	33185

Tracks

1. Blackwaterside
2. M'Lady Nancy
3. A Woman Like You
4. Strolling Down the Highway
5. Casbah
6. Reynardine
7. Miss Heather Rosemary Sewell
8. Come Back Baby
9. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
10. Poison
11. Angi
12. Promised Land
13. Blues
14. Running, Running from Home
15. Alice's Wonderland
16. Nicola
17. Alman
18. It Don't Bother Me
19. Peregrinations
20. The Gardener
21. Sarabanda
22. Veronica
23. Needle of Death
24. Birthday Blues
25. Tell Me What Is True Love?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bert Jansch   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals
Terry Cox   Drums
Duffy Power   Harmonica
Ray Warleigh   Sax (Alto)
Danny Thompson   Bass

Technical Credits

Terry Eden   Cover Art
Bill Leader   Producer
Ewan MacColl   Composer
Georg Bertl   Composer
Robert Vosgien   Engineer,Digital Mastering
Nathan Joseph   Producer
Bert Jansch   Composer
Walter Davis   Composer
Davy Graham   Composer
Joan Pelosi   Design
Karl Dallas   Liner Notes
Charles Mingus   Composer
Traditional   Composer