Description
Though they had fellow British folk-rockers like Fairport
Convention and Steeleye Span for company, Pentangle explored a
musical world of their own design. Their all-acoustic sound
combined traditional British folk with jazz, rock and Indian music,
much as American groups like the Airplane and the Dead were mating
their roots with other influences. BASKET OF LIGHT is perhaps the
finest of Pentangle's excellent early recordings. As always, the
focal point is crystal-voiced singer Jacqui McShee, capable of
giving peer Sandy Denny a run for her money. Master guitarists Bert
Jansch and John Renbourn's interplay is magical throughout, and
when they take to banjo and sitar respectively on House
Carpenter, they sound equally at home. Much of the jazz feel is
provided by eminently swinging bassist Danny Thompson (the only man
capable of making Sally Go Round the Roses groove) and
loose-limbed drummer Terry Cox. Whether contributing jazzy rhythmic
punctuation or delicate glockenspiel (Once I Had a Sweetheart),
Cox is a gem. BASKET OF LIGHT belongs right alongside LIEGE AND
LEIF and PLEASE TO SEE THE KING.
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