Search - Bert Jansch :: Bert Jansch

This album is beyond great

paul | Chattanooga, TN United States | 03/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bert Jansch is a genius. He recorded this album in someone's kitchen with borrowed guitars nearly forty years ago, never expecting it to sell. It's influence is amazing, and in Jansch's music you can see just where Jimmy Page's roots originated (his acoustic roots that is to say).
I first bought "It don't bother me" and have fallen in love with everything else this guy did. If you're into British folk and artists like Nick Drake, Donovan, etc. (many more could be named, but my knowledge base is limited) then you would love this album. Maybe Nick Drake was a bad example though, because honestly he wrote some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard, and I wouldn't call Bert Jansch a "beautiful" musician. He is great though. Neil Young even cited Jansch as the Hendrix of the acoustic guitar. He plays so hard and so clearly, and so well, that I honestly cannot think of anything better to do with fifteen bucks than to buy this album (unless you feel like buying some food for some homeless people). And if you do end up buying it, then save up some more money and buy the rest of his stuff. That of course all depends on whether or not you like the guy.
You should though, because his voice is deep and hits hard, and the folk style acoustic blues that he plays does the same. I am very suprised no one has reviewed this CD before, but am hopeful that someone will come back with their opinion. His playing contains a quality of skill and percision that is lacking in mainstream music today. If you think you know of someone who can play the acoustic guitar well, then you owe it to your sense of what is right to listen to Jansch and make your judgement afterwards. I'm sure there have been and are better guitarists out there, and maybe I'm wrong, but nevertheless his talent cannot be underestimated. I've said enough."

Classic British folk guitar god's debut, one of his stronger

Elliot Knapp | Seattle, Washington United States | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only was Bert Jansch (pronounced Yahnsh) one of the biggest names in the 1960's British folk revival, he was also one of the most influential guitarists of any genre, and to this day is one of the most enduring figures of the scene. He sits primarily alongside Davy Graham, and perhaps his Pentangle bandmate John Renbourn as one of the 60's British folk movement guitar heroes, covered by and influencing the great Roy Harper, Donovan, Ralph McTell, Tudor Lodge, and, yes, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page. This album, his 1965 debut, was indeed recorded in a kitchen on guitars that didn't belong to Jansch, but after one listen you'll realize that this record's humble beginnings belie the fantastic playing and music within.



Unlike John Renbourn, who was something of a "lead" folk guitarist, and Davy Graham, whose uncanny guitar skills fluidly shift from fingerpicked rhythm guitar to lead without effort, Bert Jansch's style is primarily of the unaccompanied rhythm/lead combo fingerstyle variety. That is, the guitar on this album weaves fingerpicked chord progressions to accompany Jansch's vocals while simultaneously playing a guitar melody--like 2 guitars playing at the same time! Jansch's trademark style is dizzying in its fluidity, melodiousness, and originality. Not only that, but he shows himself to be a pretty competent songwriter and singer at the same time!



On many of the album's cuts, Jansch sings in a rough Scottish-inflected brogue about the sort of itinerant lifestyle lived by many folk artists of the day. The topics run the gamut from hitchhiking ("Strolling Down the Highway"), rambling ("Rambling's Going To Be the Death of Me"), rustic/agrarian lifestyle ("I Have No Time"), and the romantic exploits of a rambler ("Courting Blues"). Outside of these sorts of traditional folk subjects, though, Jansch's songwriting also stretches to reach some compelling heights with the cautionary heroin song, "Needle of Death" (one of his most well-known), and the anti-war protest song "Do You Hear Me Now?" Throughout, Jansch's voice, though rough, has a great propensity for expression and won't be a taste too hard to acquire for fans of Bob Dylan and the like.



Unlike on some of his later albums, nearly half of the songs on Jansch's debut are instrumentals. These are some of my favorites on the album, since he gets to stretch out his guitar chops a bit more with the absence of vocals. The mysterious "Alice's Wonderland" and the hypnotic "Casbah" are a couple of my favorites. Throughout the entire album, though, his playing is ear candy that is worth the price of admission even without the lyrics and vocals. Anyone who's a fan of the above-mentioned artists should check out Jansch, since he's of the same caliber and earned their endorsement as an influence. Also, fans of American folk who are interested in what was happening across the pond owe it to themselves to check out one of Britain's most legendary guitarists. In any case, Jansch's debut a classic and a necessary part of any folk, guitar, or folk-rock fan's collection. Enjoy the magic."

Bert Jansch

Elliot Knapp | 07/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are new to Jansch, this is a good place to start. Except for 'Black Water Side', it contains most of his famous songs. If you are interested in Jansch because youve heard his name slung around by some big guitarists (see Jimmy Page, Neil Young, the guy from Suade, Johnny Marr) - that is, if you are interested in only his guitar playing, i would suggest you instead buy one of his collaborations with John Renbourn. However, if you want some Good Ol' British Folk Music then... well, i can't very imagine the genere without him."