Learning Experience
Jack Selvia | Cincinnati, Ohio United States | 06/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album provides a unique insight into the gestation of genius. In thirty cuts Colin Harper illustrates for us both the roots and the embryonic forms of Jansch's unique blues style.Many Jansch favorites are here, sprung, like Athena, full grown from their father's brow. But the young Jansch's conceptions are beyond his abilities as a performer.Part of the pleasure of this album is in comparing these early performances to later ones. Jansch fans will admire the artist's committment to fleshing out brilliant ideas with brilliant performances.But the best parts of this album are the cuts themselves. They don't appear to have been recorded for publication, so the feel is raw, the energy is real, and the listener can feel the uncontrived excitement of Jansch's self-discovery."
Difficult to get beyond the poor recording quality
Griffinia | Davie, FL United States | 12/30/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Much as I wanted to love this set, and despite my appreciation for the historical importance to Jansch enthusiasts, the low quality of the recording makes it difficult for me to listen to this album. Still, its nice to have it out there. Now, when will the three remaining Charisma Jansch LPs ("Santa Barbara Honeymoon, LA Turnaround, A Rare Conundrum") finally get onto to CD?"