British fingerstlyle great Bert Jansch performs "Black Waterside." From the DVD "Fingerstyle Guitar: New Dimensions & Explorations, Vol. One." More info at www.guitarvide...
I'm a black man that's 73 years old and I grew up listening to Robert Johnson I also listen to bert back in the 60's I think he was one of the best guitar player I've ever heard and English folk music writer originally from that side of the world.
He wasn't english he was Scottish . Never refer to a Scottish person as english. Lets just say it won't go down very well lol As PG Woodhouse once said "its never difficult to discern a scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine"
@@zoso73 I am a Scot and my honest reply is that some Scots are very happy to be and to be refered to as British (myself included) while a good proportion of Scottish nationalists are very definitely not!
Does it make any difference if you're white or black? Is it supposed to be an extra compliment if you're black and like music by white people? He is great musician, just say so
I took friends of mine to see Bert Jansch perform this song live in his final year of life as he performed it here at the Mississippi Studios in North Portland Oregon. At the end of the concert, everybody walked out of the hall but I stayed behind with my Sweet Child Pentangle album cover from 1968. I was hoping he'd come back out and autograph it for me. There was a woman rounding up the musicians equipment on the stage and I just thought she was a roadie studio worker there. I asked her if there's a chance that Bert might come back out, as I wanted to let him know that this first Pentangle album that I bought, when I was about the age of 20 in 1974, a few years after it came out, and Bert's music on it changed my life. She said I'll go back and ask him to come out. She kept working a little more, and I asked her again, are you sure he's going to come out? She said yes I know he will because he's my husband. I had to say, oh my gosh, I didn't know you were Bert's wife, what an honor to meet you before I ever met Bert. My lady friend and a few other friends that came with me were out in the front of the studio ready to leave and she ran back and said come on Mark let's go he's not going to come out. I said yes he is, his wife's going to go back and bring him out. When he came out and I shook his hand and told him what an honor it was to meet him and that this album changed my life when I first heard the group Pentangle, when I was 20 years old. He signed it, as he began speaking, he sounded a lot like Eric Clapton talking. He was very humble. He said his favorite banjo player in the world is here in Portland Oregon. It was a great honor to meet him and talk to him briefly. Then sadly one night I was driving in my car and playing old videos like this, with my cell phone plugged into my car stereo on selected RU-vid videos, and I saw people in the comments expressing their sadness, that he passed away, hardly a year after I met him.
What a sweet story. Thanks for sharing. This guy has been one of my favorites since I was 16. I'm 52 now and still play his or Pentangles records at least once a month.
Lovely story and chimes with my experience of interacting with acoustic artists of the same era. I am sure there are divas there too but something about the music, the audiences and the scene generally must keep even geniuses grounded.
Thank you for sharing this story. I only know of him because I am a Page fan. what was that banjo players name? I kinda don't like the banjo but hell that's only because I listened to too much bluegrass against my will as a child.
I saw Bert perform at a folk festival in Australia in the 90s and his set was sublime as well he did his incredible rendition of Black Waterside. I spoke to him after the gig he was a humble beutiful man l asked him what he thought of Jimmy Pages version Black Mountain Side he looked at me with a rhy smile and said well its a traditional tune and he put his name to it he must have needed the money or something we both laughed it was a moment in my life that l treasure and will never forget. The greatest musicians are the humble ones and Bert was definitely of the them God bless him.
Bert should've at least got an arranging credit on that, Jimmy used his arrangement practically as it was. I love Zeppelin but apparently Jimmy was a real tightwad. They used to call him led wallet apparently.
I saw Bert a few months before he passed, when he opened for Neil. It was a win-win situation; then I went out for a smoke between acts and a car pulls up, and Woody Harrelson stepped out. Of course I asked if he was hitting the show, "absolutely." Good times.
Bert Jansch deserves a writing credit on Led Zeppelin's "Blackmountain Side." Yes, it's a traditional tune and Page & Plant did add their own spin on this classic. However, Page lifted whole-cloth the centerpiece of Jansch's arrangement -- the haunting & heavy guitar riff that Jansch introduces at the beginning and repeats throughout the song. That deep riff was created 100% by Jansch and Page just steals it. It says something about the integrity of Bert Jansch that he didn't make a big stink about it while he was alive. But as a tribute to his legacy & talent he should be given a Led Zep writing credit.
+randommental LOL what utter nonsense. I've been a pro gtr player for longer than I care to admit and also an MD/arranger and BM side is what we technically call, in the trade, a fucking direct slap bang on-the-nose rip-off - a 'nick'.
+uncannybeachboys I think I've seen several interviews with Jimmy Page where he says straight out that he was absolutely indebted to Jansch. But, as with Martin Carthy and Paul Simon's rip off of Scarborough Fair, much folk material was considered fair game for copying. I guess Bert Jansch got a lot of publicity from this, although unfortunately not the money!
+cardboardmusic 'Folk' material was not considered fair game, 'traditional'' tunes were - and even then you could only validly claim to have arranged it, not to have 'written' it. And how the fuck would he get publicity from this? There was no internet back then. So only Jansch fans who listened to LZ (not many would bother), would know. These comments by juveniles defending Page get stupider by the day.
+Claymor Hi Claymor, sorry that you're so offended by my remarks. I'm certainly not defending Jimmy Page, oddly I listened to Jimmy Page's version as I'd been told he'd got it from Bert Jansch (whom I was listening to non stop in the 70s/80s). As for publicity I didn't even think of internet, reading Melody Maker (or NME), back in the 70s and 80s, I remember reading references to Page's plagiarism, many articles mentioned it (as I said Page also tipped his hat on several occasions). I think the NME Rock Encyclopaedia talked about it, and that's just two that I can remember. As for why they - Transatlantic - didn't do anything about it I have no idea.
He influenced people like Jimmy Page (Page stole the licks from Bert's version of this music for Led Zeppelin IV 'Black Mountainside') Donovan, Nick Drake & Neil Young, to name a few. He was one of the leading exponents of the folk era, along with John Renbourne, in the 1960s UK. To say his voice isn't unique is a gross misstatement.
I can see why Neil Young called Bert Jansch his favorite acoustic guitarist. He was subtle yet powerful, and his offbeat variations in this very hard-to-play song are spectacular.
Of all the Bert Jansch music, I can listen to this over and over. It just touches you inside. How fortunate that we have this to watch and enjoy to our hearts content.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Berts pioneering style showed the way for a lot of folk/rock exponents. His sounds will echo back down the years.
"Blackwaterside" is one of my favorite Bert Jansch songs. I have a CD of "Introduction to Bert Jansch," and this song is a standout on this compilation. The lyrics always moved me. A sense that there was a simpler time in our lives that is truly treasured in this tune.
I had only heard Bert Jansch's name mentionded.. This is the first video (that I remember) seeing him.. Meaning it as an extreme compliment... His style reminds me of early John Martyn, Nick Drake, and Richard Thompson... In the US.., Bluegrass music has its roots in music from the British Isles... (Irish and Scotch/Irish settled in the hills of the Eastern US..)... This is lovely music.. ❣👍
@@richardgleichmann7671 you'll probably enjoy John Renbourn as well. His album "The Hermit" is a good place to start -- in case you're unfamiliar of course. Renbourn and Jansch were both in the band Pentangle. There are quite a few clips of them playing live on youtube, "Willy O' Winsbury" being my favourite.
I've been listening to him for over 45 years. Saw him in the USA live only once. Bert has great respect for the traditional melody and sings it soulfully. Great independance rhythmically between voice and guitar. The greatest folk guitarist I've ever heard at creating memorable "riffs" or "hooks" within "traditional" music. And he improvises on his riffs using jazz and blues touches over the the folk base. None better. RIP.
MrMusicguyma So envious that you had the opportunity to see him play live. Unfortunately I wasn't alive back then, but I was sad to hear of his passing as I had only just discovered Bert when he died. A great influence to many musicians I think he was.. RIP x
Can still hear this after 40 + years and LOVE IT MADLY STILL lol Thank you Bert for all the music you gave us thru out the years. A true gentleman and an amazing Soul.
When I 1st started playing 4 and a bit decades ago, Bert was the man. The slurs, pulls, hammering-ons and -offs were a nightmare for a novice. So many must've chucked it in early, trying to grapple with the sudden new ask of fingers. Luckily, I had a great mentor who remembered the torture of making fingers do odd things and convinced me to persevere. I did and I'm still crap in my ears but not in others. The mystification thing..... I love playing although carpal tunnel is messing it up, tinnitus doesn't help! The early Bert gave me this germ....I truly hope you get the disease as well.
Yep, I've had it since 1970 and still marvel at the likes of Jansch, Renbourn, Harper, Martyn, Nic Jones and many others including the old acoustic blues guys. On a good day I can consider myself maybe one tenth as good as them but it's still so much fun half a century later.
Of course he is playing what appears to be a less than full scale guitar with action so low and strings so light, you can hear it in the tone... if you worked out on a standard setup and played that one, you'd be able to really dance a jig on those frets... not to discredit him in the least, he just did what was necessary to play this effortlessly.
I was aware of Jansch from Paul Simon's version of "Angie". So I'm sitting here listening to this playlist, and as soon as theses openimg chords ring out I nearly jumped out of my chair. Even my cat did a double take😂. So yeah, all these years and I had no idea Page "lifted" this guitar arrangement from Jansch. Wow.
how very sad, my inspirational guitarist, thank goodness he recorded as much as he did, so that many in future can discover Bert, and can also share and enjoy his guitar style and music, i was impressed from when he started, and have always enjoyed his work ever since, through his recordings and concerts he was my distant tutor, i will always be grateful for his influence, and, although unknowingly ..what he taught me. RIP Bert.. and thank you for your music.
I have this on a old 78 I bought 45 years ago. Back then everyone wanted to play like Bert. Black Water Side was just one of many traditional folk song Bert explored. His way to show us what could be done. Many Thanks
RIP Bert. Truly a great loss to the world of guitar and singer-songwriters. Such an unorthodox playing style. You and John created one of the greatest guitar partnerships of the previous millennium and influenced generations to come.
Bert was one of a kind. A real artist in all the sense of the word.Great Lyricist on his other songs and great arrangements where hes seemed to never repeat a picking style..Amazing.
Saw him in Nottingham at The Maze maybe ten years ago. It looked as though a physics teacher had wandered on to the stage, but I'll say this, in all honesty, you could genuinely feel something special when he started playing. Lovely man. If you like this (as well you should) then I recommend you give Nick Drake a go. R.I.P Bert, Nick and my mate Scott who put me on to you.
It is a great piece and fun to play. I see a lot of comments from years ago. I was a Jimmy Page fan first and later heard Bert and I though who put folk singing to Jimmy Pages song? After I learned more about Bert Yansch I grew to appreciate where the music originated. Hats off to musicians who pour their souls into their art for others to critique. This is a real gem to listen to. Thank you and RIP Bert! Bert Jansch. Herbert Jansch ( 3 November 1943 - 5 October 2011)
@@rmoalxa well Bert thought so.. Rob Armstrong is pretty much retired now, but used to make one instrument a month to order. No two instruments were exactly alike, and many were quite innovative. You paid a deposit and went on the waiting list.. I waited 18 months. He never needed to advertise or promote himself, as he was happy making one instrument at a time. His customers include Bert, Gordon Giltrap, Dave Pegg, Ashley Hutchings, Maarty Allcock, Simon Nicol, Martin Jenkins, George Harrison, and me! For less than the price of a poor second hand American Martin, I have something unique, which sounds... incredible. I wish more players knew his instruments, and more luthiers had his skill and integrity.
My favorite version of him doing this great song. I like the understatement, lyric irony, brilliant guitar, deceptively so...try and get his picking style....very sweet technique and unique timing....difficult multiplied by singing simultaneous to this style....a very gifted player and composer
"The thing I've noticed about Jimmy [Page] whenever we meet is that he can't look me in the eye," Jansch told Classic Rock in 2007. When pushed to elaborate, Jansch continued, "Well, he ripped me off , didn't he? Or let's just say he learned from me. I wouldn't want to sound impolite."
@@dustybroke597 : LMFAO! Bert was was known among proper musicians and fans before Page made his name. Page was a very good session guitarist who studied and copied others and was involved in the pop scene. Of course he would be more well known.
"Down by Blackwaterside (also known as Blackwaterside, Blackwater Side and Black Waterside), (Roud 312, Laws O1 and Roud 564, Laws P18)[1] are traditional folk songs, provenance and author unknown, although they are likely to have originated near the River Blackwater, Ulster.[2]"
The great thing with these bluesmen troubadours......great and unusual time signatures.....makes them spiral, and timeless. Bert made me feel like I was connected to something so much bigger.
Great Playing. Amazing picking. Bert Jansch one of the best acoustic guitar players ever. Ask any respected guitar player and they will say the same. Neil young,jimmy page, Eric clapton ,Stephen stills ,to name a few think this is true.
Someone said that BJ was "under-rated". That's funny. He is highly respected. So is Robert Johnson. It's great that through LedZep these British and American greats became noticed by 10,000 times more people. Musicality and success are respected and noticed by different audiences. It's true what Plant said; that blues and folk is very much a tradition of borrowing, You know, making a 12-bar work for the 100,0000,000th time is a skill of delivery, not of invention. "Fairness"? as a musician myself I believe musicians actually get paid for entertaining. Or litigation. But originality - that's paid in respect, not dollars.
We are all finally and separately, on a "different level". Comparisons are odious (or odorous). Davey G properly deserves credit for getting the ball rolling, for popularizing DADGAD and raising the level of steel string folk guitar performance. Especially since there was no blueprint for his polyglot jazz/blues/folk style. Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, Martin Carthy, Wizz Jones and many others followed Davey and made their own wonderful creative contributions. I like them all and many others besides :)
Brilliant musicians like Bert are not under-rated: they are revered in the music industry. But they are relatively obscure to music fans in general. There are so many great relative unknowns of all genres: some of my favourites - Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, John Fahey, Judee Sill and "seismically influential" Bronx genius Laura Nyro (my passion).
I've only just discovered this man & his gorgeous music. I'm transfixed on his amazing playing... He's just amazing. I can see why so many other musicians sight him as an influence. I've only listened to afew numbers & I already want to spend a few months learning his style.
I was Dazed and Amazed to hear Bert Jansch play last night in Spartanburg,NC with Neil Young and I got chills on m y arms as I could hear Zeppelin's Black Mountain Side in this song...I knew then he was Neil Young's Idol as he tuned down his guitar and I was in the prescense of Rock and Roll Dynasty...
People who complain about Zep stealing all this music from other artists fail to realize that expanding upon a song is the very nature of folk and blues. Most of Bob Dylan's older songs were simply his words sung over old folk tunes. This holds true for countless other artists. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Zep did wrong was make a lot of money off of it.
songs are meant to be expounded on. And played the way it may be interpreted by others... But, Led Zep did not give "any" credit to any of the writers of songs and music they used on the first three albums they produced. They were a bunch of young lads. And with that may not have realized the implications or ramifications. Of course, there really were none. But, Those artists who wrote those songs never got a dime. And until the artist who wrote,"I'm Gonna Leave You" sued them. They never did pay anyone. And, when that case was settled, I believe that all they did was put her name on the credits of new releases. Decades later. Led Zeppelin is one of the best rock bands ever. No doubt. I love playing there stuff. But I recognize who wrote most of it. Delta Blues artists and folk artists of the 30s thru the 60s. And that is a fact.
It's a matter of degree like most things. Many blues songs build on older blues songs. Classical composers help themselves to folk melodies and pop composers help themselves to classical melodies.Stealing guitar licks is standard practice, just as comedians steal jokes. But when the artist is still alive and trying to earn a living and the theft is very obvious, it seems wrong. I don't think Zep was trying to conceal anything in this case since they called their tune "Black Mountain Side" which would certainly hint at its origins. Who won the lawsuit?
I can't imagine where a song like this comes from, so different from anything else. Someone must have written it, a long time ago, but who?. It's almost a superhuman achievement.
Just a completely beautiful and intoxicating song. Bert Jansch is/was a miracle for most of us all. Presented here are the lyrics sung also by Sandy Denny. Friends, take from it what you will, mindful to savor the words: One evening fair I took the air Down by Blackwaterside 'Twas gazing all around me When the Irish lad I spied All through the first part of that night We did lie in sport and play, When this young man arose and he gathered his clothes, Saying, "Fare thee well today". That's not the promise that you gave to me When the first you lay on my breast, You could make me believe with your lying tongue That the sun rose in the west. Go home, go home, to your father's garden Go home and weep your fill, And think upon your own misfortune Which you bought with your wanton will. There's not one girl in this whole town As easily led as I, And when the sky does fall and the seas will run dry, Why, it's then you'll marry I. Attribution>>>> www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sandy+denny/blackwaterside_20121117.html G~
Major influence. Bert picks 3-finger style but Jimmie flat picks. Quite different. And something else. From 4:15 to the end - u2s The Edge adds this riff into the end of one of their songs. I think to pay homage to Bert. I’ve heard it numerous times. I just can’t work out which song it’s in. Generational love here.
Some would dare to say he ripped off Black Waterside, even when it came to the song title Black Mountain Side. Bert Jansch covered this song from a traditional Irish folk song that wasn't under copyright, but the main problem I have is the similarity in guitar arrangements even down to the guitar solo.
@Clayton Botkin that's because PAGE CAN'T FINGER PICK... the only pro zep argument untried is Bert was a time lord and went to the future and lifted Page's arrangement and went back to 1968 and inspired Page, thus creating time loop... the sneaky SCOT!
One morning fair I took he air Down by blackwater side Twas gazing all around me The Irish lad I spied All through the fore part of the night We lay in sport and play Till this young man arose and gathered his clothes Saying 'Fare thee well today That's not the promise that you gave to me When first you lay on my breast You could make me believe with your lying tongue That the sun rose in the West Well then go home to your father's garden Go home and weep your fill And think on your own misfortune That you've brought with your want and will.
What a cliche... everybody is "under-rated". Anyone who is aware of him knows he was amazing. Those that don't are probably unaware of him. That doesn't make him under-rated, just under-known.
"a bit of a witch hunt towards jimmy page. I remember there wasnt so much emphasis on ownership and copyright," You're kidding. Every artist not robbed by shady producers was keenly aware of ownership. I bought the first LZ album in 1969, and BMS fooled me into believing that jammer Page had original acoustic chops Exactly opposite, as we now know. It's no "witch hunt" to put Page in his proper place. That doesn't denigrate his other talents. It just makes clear that he was a shoplifter.
@David Pietras Like Plant said.. everyone nicks it.. it’s influence... only now is everything in a legal huff.. back then.. they took parts and added to them.. pages version is completely different.. except for the hook.. this is apart of a longer piece from white summer.. Jimmy added this in the middle.. for the album it was too long so he just put this part in.. today no ole knows what went on behind the scenes then. People just talk stupid.
Aside from his ability to arrange old tunes in a way that truly personalises them, an inescapable element of Jansch's genius is the way he vocalises in consonance with the instrument he's playing - not an easy thing to do at any time, let alone during such a piece as this. It's something you'll be lucky to see any of the flashy celebrity guitarists accomplish.
Oh no... I immediately recognized the tune... from Led Zeppelin. I always thought that one had a unique sound among their works. Guess I know why now. Still, I like both even if the other one was 'burrowed'.
@youwaisef Well, you can just 'burrow' in the idea that Page was talented. See what Bert is doing live here? Page only dreams he could do this outside of the studio. With his studio-like manipulations and all.