I had heard of Bert Jansch since the 60's; one of those names always spoken in reverent tones; but never ran across an album. I knew him as "an influence on JimmyPage", but never heard why. Never heard him a single time on the radio, not once in my life. Thank God for RU-vid and those who have preserved and posted these songs so we can see and hear marvelous players like him again (or for the first time). Now I hear Jansch not only in nearly every acoustic lick Page ever played, but in Nick Drake and many others. The well-spring from which so many flow.
San Fran underground radio "Freak Freely" played pentangle late 60's changed my musical direction on my guitar for ever. Joh Renbourn Bert Jansch any cd you can get BUY along with Pentangle! I have them all lol
Bert treated me with warmth and respect.I opened for him and Pentangle in New York at the 'Bottom Line'' Greenwhich Village in 1993. and here in New Zealand in 2007. he was a true musician and gentleman! bless your soul for all eternity Bert.you were a master!!xx and a lovin' human.
What must this have sounded like to folkies back in the day? His style remains utterly unlike anything you hear to this day. Darkly beguiling & otherworldly, just frickin magical stuff.
Probably my favorite Jansch recording. Unbelievable warbling bends, percussive finger-picking, and pull-offs. One of a kind, masterful approach to the instrument.
Agree Reynardine is a gem on what is a beautiful album. I read somewhere that Bert considers the album his best. I'm torn between this and River Sessions as an all-time favourite but both represent Bert at the top of his art.
My ears are all twickaly. That is a lot of information to process. This officially my second favorite version of this song, how can that be one might ask. Well you see I was more in Love with Sandy than Bert. Years ago I had a wealthy eccentric artist friend who had layers of a music collection I wouldn't otherwise hear. When I heard this solo version here my ears picked up and I think it only gets better over time. This is a sweet spot in musicianship.
If, perchance, you don't know Bert, l sincerely suggest that you give him a listen. You will discover a whole new world of delight that will never leave you. One of a kind, a prestigious talent, and much missed by all those who had the pleasure to have known him, from near or far.
This particular song is also a good example of just how much Bert influenced Jimmy Page. Some passages of Led Zeppelin's "Rain song" are literally carbon copies of Reynardine!
One of the first RU-vid videos I recorded, then under the name of Inagaddadavida, my FB ID for many years, before Facebook was the commercial venue it is today. Bert is tragically missed along with other Pentangle members. Few composer/guitarists rise to the level of Bert Jansch.
I can only think of a few guitarists. Norman Blake comes to mind. He's a different kind of sublime. Dan Crary too I think. Acoustic guitar is a funny thing. Not quite a lute. Not too bassy or trebley. Not terribly difficult to begin on, unlike it's 4ths tuned arab cousins. I think it is the ideal accompanying instrument. I could name a few electric players too, but the sustain and volume you get from an electric guitar make it a whole different instrument. Peter Green and his ilk I think are the best. But they couldn't tackle an acoustic instrument where your physical input matters so much more. Guitar must be one of the most difficult instruments to master.
Rosemary Lane was my favorite album of 1972 or 1973, whenever I noticed it in the record store, Jansch posing on the back cover with a dulcimer. Previously I had picked up a foreign pressing of his (damn expensive back then for a kid scrapping his way through college), a sort of greatest hits sort of album, which, among other things included a collaboration with Anne Briggs. And there was the Pentangle music, which in looking back is not as satisfying as the work of the individual players. But mostly I focused on what Bert was playing. Boy, did I want to be able to do what he did on the guitar. Someone once likened his singing voice to the sound that water makes in going down the drain; and yet he had a real career.
finally figured out this tune note for note and tone for tone by Bert it was driving me up the wall this tune [ for years off and on ] but I now know what he did to get that wicked guitar sound very tricksy and clever how he got that buzzing sound !? and those stabs on the double stops.... yeah there's a lot going on in this tune and some very nifty fluid finger work to boot but thats just Bert playing to his strength which can't be beat and nobody can play it quite like him or copy very near exactly...this version of Reynardine he's got a sound and tone somewhat similar to John [ Mississippi ] Hurt' Candyman blues though Reynardine is in a much lower register. a tune I figured out note for note, as well. Candyman blues a brilliant clever song much harder to sing and play but that was the key into this song that opened the door to this the 1971 version of Reynardine so was Bert influenced by old Mississippi John hurt yeah I think he was just a little bit but then again who isn't...[...]..?
One morning as I rambled Among the spring time I overheard a young woman Converse with Reynardine She said, my man please be civil, My company forsake For to my good opinion I fear you are a rake. Oh no. my dear, i am no rake Cast Out and made a thief And I um searching for concealment AlI from the judge's men Her rosy cheeks and her ruby lips They lost their bloom so fine, And she fell into his arms there All among the mountain thyme He kissed her once. and he kissed her twice Till she came to again And modestly she begged him Pray tell to me your name He said my dear if you look for me Perhaps you'll not me find But I'll be in my castle Pray enquire for Reynardine. Oh day and night she followed him Her eyes so bright, dear child And he led her over the mountains Did the sly, bold Reynardine .
I know this comment is almost a year old, but our dear friend reynardine is searching concealment from the *George's* men-probably king George the second.
These are the same chords and some riffing that Jimmy Page borrowed for 'Black Mountain Side'- But it also sounds very similar to ''She Walked Through the Fair'', a medieval tune Jansch also played
