Pentangle (band)
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Pentangle is a British folk-rock band. The original band was active in the late 1960s and early 1970s; its successor has been active since the early 1980s. The original line-up, which was unchanged throughout the band's first incarnation (1967-1973), was: Jacqui McShee, vocals; John Renbourn, guitar; Bert Jansch, guitar; Danny Thompson, double bass; and Terry Cox, drums. Of the original members, only McShee survives in the current line-up (though Jansch also was a member of the second incarnation of the band for some time, between 1982 and 1995).
The name Pentangle was chosen to represent the five members of the band, but the pentagram symbol also has a number of mystical associations and is the device on Sir Gawain's shield in the Middle English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight which held a fascination for Renbourn.
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[edit] History
[edit] Original line-up
The original group formed in 1967. Renbourn and Jansch were already popular musicians on the British folk scene, with several solo albums each and a duet LP, Bert And John (they also shared a house in London).
Although nominally a 'folk' group, the members each shared catholic tastes and influences. McShee had a grounding in traditional music, Cox and Thompson a love of jazz, Renbourn a growing interest in early music, and Jansch a taste for blues and contemporaries such as Bob Dylan. Renbourn and McShee had played together as a duo before the formation of the band.
Pentangle's self-titled debut LP was released in May 1968. Around this time the group graduated from clubs to halls, including a memorable night at London's Royal Albert Hall. Recordings from that concert included Renbourn's great setting/performance of the John Donne poem that begins "Go and catch a falling star". It formed part of their second album, Sweet Child (released in November 1968), a double LP comprising live and studio recordings. Showcasing the group's eclectic approach (and Jansch's growing songwriting ability), it is generally regarded as their creative high point.
Basket Of Light, which followed in mid 1969, was their greatest commercial success, thanks to a surprise hit single, Light Flight which became popular due to its use as theme music for a TV drama series "Take Three Girls" for which the band also provided incidental music .
The following year, in the wake of similar moves by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention, Pentangle released Cruel Sister, an album of traditional songs that included a 20-minute long version of Jack Orion a song that Jansch and Renbourn had recorded previously as a duo.
The band returned to mix of traditional and original material on Reflection (1971), which also broke their informal 'no electric instruments' rule with Renbourn on electric guitar. The similar Solomon's Seal followed in 1972. Early the following year, however, Jansch left.
[edit] Subsequent incarnations
Pentangle's musical career continued through the 1980s. Personnel changes included Mike Piggott on violin, Nigel Portman Smith on keyboards and bass, and Peter Kirtley on guitars and vocals, with McShee and Jansch from the original line-up. Gerry Conway (who had worked with Fotheringay, Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull, Richard Thompson and John Martyn) took over on drums and percussion in 1987.
In 1995, McShee formed a trio with Conway on percussion and Spencer Cozens on keyboards. The trio's first album, About Thyme, featured guests Ralph McTell, Albert Lee, Mike Mainieri, and John Martyn. The album reached the top of fROOTS magazine's British folk chart.
With the addition of saxophonist Jerry Underwood and bassist/guitarist Alan Thompson, the band was renamed Jacqui McShee's Pentangle. The new five-piece band's first album Passe Avante was released on the Park Records label.
The new line-up played regularly on the live circuit. Their concert at Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, was recorded and released by Park Records under the title At the Little Theatre. The album highlights the improvisational virtuosity of the band and its melding of jazz and folk influences.
In August 2002, saxophonist Jerry Underwood died after an illness. His place was taken by flautist/saxophonist Gary Foot in 2004. Jacqui McShee's Pentangle still tours annually, usually at Easter.
- Pentangle - Light Flight excerpt (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- An excerpt from Light Flight
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
[edit] Complete discography
[edit] Singles
- Travellin' Song (1968) GB S BigT B1G109
- Once I Had A Sweetheart (1969) UK #46
- Light Flight (1970) UK #43
- Light Flight (1970) UK #45 - re-entry
[edit] Albums
- Pentangle, The 1968 USA LP Reprise RSLP63 15
- Pentangle, The 1968 GB LP Transatlantic TRA162
- Pentangle, The 1968 GB CD Transatlantic TACD 9.00549 O
- Sweet Child 1968 GB 2LP Transatlantic TRA178
- Sweet Child 1968 USA 2LP Reprise 2R56334
- Sweet Child 1992 GB CD Line TACD9005
- Sweet Child 1968 USA ? Reprise 2R56334
- Basket of Light 1969 D LP Metronome 201051
- Basket of Light 1969 GB LP Transatlantic TRA2O5
- Basket of Light 1969 USA LP Reprise R56372
- Basket of Light 1981 GB LP Transatlantic TRS114
- Basket of Light 1981 GB MC Transatlantic KTRSll4
- Basket of Light 1989 GB LP Demon TRANDE
- Cruel Sister 1970 USA LP Reprise RS6430
- Cruel Sister 1977 GB LP Xtra 1172
- Cruel Sister 1970 GB LP Transatlantic TRA228
- Cruel Sister 1970 D LP Transatlantic 44005
- Cruel Sister 1992 GB CD Line TACD900S
- Reflection 1971 GB LP Transatlantic TRA24O
- Reflection 1971 USA LP Reprise R56463
- Solomon's Seal 1972 GB LP Reprise K44197
- Solomons Seal 1972 USA LP Reprise 2100
- History Book (Comp) 1972 GB LP Transatlantic TRASAM2
- Pentangling 1973 GB LP Transatlantic TRASAM2
- Pentangling 1981 GB LP Transatlantic TRS1O6
- Pentangling 1981 GB MC Transatlantic KTRS1O6
- Pentagle Collection (Comp) 1975 GB LP Transatlantic 89503I4
- Anthology (Comp) 1978 GB LP Transatlantic MTRA201
- At Their Best 1983 GB MC Cambra CRT54
- At Their Best 1983 GB 2LP Cambra CR054
- Open The Door 1985 GB LP Spindrist SPINi 11
- Open The Door 19?? USA LP Vanick VR017
- Open The Door 1985 USA MC Vanick CRVOI7
- In The Round 1986 D LP Plane 88505
- In The Round 1988 GB CD Plane CD88505
- In The Round 19?? USA LP Varrick VR026
- In The Round 1988 USA CD Vanick CDVRO26
- In The Round 1988 USA MC Varrick CVR026
- Essential Vol 1 1987 GB CD Transatlantic Records Ltd. TRACD 602
- Essential Vol 2 1987 GB CD Transatlantic ?
- Collection 1988 GB LP Castle CCSLP184
- Collection 1988 GB MC Castle CCSMC18
- Collection 1988 GB CD Castle CCSCD18
- So Early In The Spring 1989 USA MC Green Linnet CS1F3048
- So Early In The Spring 1989 USA LP Green Linnet 51F3048
- So Early In The Spring 1989 GB LP Plane ?
- So Early In The Spring 1989 USA CD Green Linnet GLCD3O48
- 25 Year Anniversary 1992 GB MC Permanent PFRMMC
- 25 Year Anniversary 1992 GB CD Permanent PERMCD1
- 25 Year Anniversary 1992 GB LP Permanent PERMLP1
- People On The Highway'68-'71 1992 GB CD Transatlantic TDEMCDl
- One More Road 1993 GB MC Permanent PERMMC
- One More Road 1993 GB CD Permanent PERMCD1
- Let No Man Steal Yoar Thyme 1968 USA S Reprise 0784
- I Saw An Angel 1969 GB S BigT B1G124
- I Saw An Angel 1969 USA S Reprise 0843
- Light Flight 1970 GB S Big T B1G128
- Light Flight 1977 GB S Transatlantic B1G567
- Play The Game 1986 GB S Making Waves SURFi 107
- Set Me Free 1986 GB S Making Waves SURF121
[edit] References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles 7th Edition - 1988
