Lovely!! I met him in London when I got to spend 1964-1965 there. He’d often look like he was suffering agonies while producing those sweet, heavenly sounds. When he was on tour in the U.S. with Pentangle in the late 60’s, I was thrilled when he recognized me and darted into the front row to give me a hug.
I think some, or all of it resurfaces elsewhere on YT as 'six faces of guitar'. I remember watching it as a kid with his first guitar who was starved of visual examples. Everyone was wonderful, but there was no video recorder at home so I just had to go on memory. It's been great to see it again....if I remember rightly,Beck did 'She's a woman'.
What an absolutely fantastic musician. Light touch, melodic finesse, excellent compositions. I weep for never being able to see him live. My favourite acosutic guitar player.
I saw his two times in the States... he was the best folk guitarist ever.. He was original is so many ways yet he also could play blues and jazz.. amazing.. he had so much passion when he played
My God since 1966 this man turned me on my ear and changed my course in music. I wish I could hear what he would play today we lost one special Guitarist and gentleman
I had the good fortune of seeing him play live four times and each time he was mesmerizing. He was an astonishing and very soulful player. Those memories will be with me forever.
"A folk guitarist I reckon." Love this! I once took a workshop with him sometime in the 90's.. He strolled in two hours late, but made such a lovely unapologetic entrance, how could anyone be ticked off? 🙂 We just felt so damned grateful and in awe. I sat at his feet and absorbed what I could.
One precious year, I saw John Renbourn, Julian Bream and Joe Satriani each play live. The best classical guitarist, the best steel string folk/blues guitarist and the best electric rock guitarist in the world at that time. How fortunate I was.
I was very lucky to go and see John play in ' The Globe' in Topsham here in Devon in the early 90s...it was a function room that sits by the pub to the left. He was such a sweet-natured chap and oozed quiet charm. He spoke about his love of Doc Watson and a story of when he met him. Doc was listening to him play and John said " oh It's one of yours" On where Doc replied " oh I don't recognise it" that made us all laugh. Full of humility, self-effacing and funny. I also remember how when seated, he would pull his leg over the other and played his first tune- Judy. Quality evening, great memories. Thanks John🙏
I wasn’t living in Topsham then but I did see him in Matthews Hall with Wizz Jones only days before he died. He was ( they both were) as wonderful as ever and I’m so glad I went. Also saw him in more recent years with Robin Williamson at Exeter Pheonix.
@@geoffteece265 For me, it was one of my best musical experience. To sit back a couple yards from John , hear him talk, play was brilliant.I didn't want anyone to come with me, to get in the way, of what was an amazing experience. I've only heard of Wizz in recent years, but have learnt that he was playing from way back. Are there any other players like these two, don't think so. Great to have the memory Geoff 🤗
Fantastic footage of the great JR. I remembered this TV performance as being exceptionally good, but I can now see that it was also astonishingly assured and beautifully 'musical' as well. He coaxed the most exquisite tone out of his Gibson and played some of the most fully 'realised' solo guitar I've ever witnessed. I've waited 47 years to see some more of this programme again [apart from the 2 ubiquitous Beck numbers - which are always welcome]. I watched 'The 5 Faces of the Guitar' as it was originally broadcast - which I'm sure was on BBC2 in the early Autumn of '74 and to my mind, that was its only airing. The five masters featured, were all in their prime and played each style to perfection. A very inspired idea for a programme, though one that could probably only have come from the early 70's. Later eras were too manic and self-conscious for such a reasoned comparison to take place. On a slightly sour note, I've seen some disparaging comments made against the interviewer, who I thought held it all together rather well - in a more plaintive and less 'knowing' era than we have subsequently inhabited. In addition, someone of my acquaintance whom I otherwise greatly respected, called the programme 'trite' the day after it was shown. There's no accounting for taste I suppose. I very much hope someone will see fit to present us with the full hour's worth at some point. I'd love to see the Kessel, Bream and Pena sections. They were exemplars to us all. This brilliant programme goes down as one of a handful of TV highlights of my 63 years [the others available on request..]. Thanks a million Colin, for making even this one section available to us. Much gratitude sir.
What a wonderful comment. I am 67 this year, played guitar most of my life and it's moments like this that are humbling and revealing, yet full of gratitude for life and music. Yet there is an authenticity and sweet innocence about this recording of all 5 musicians, all equal in time. Agree with all you said. On request, maybe share some of your other TV music moments?
@@maxwellfan55 Thanks a lot for your kind words and interesting comment. As to my TV musical highlights, they are (off the top of my head): Focus live, (BBC May '73), John Williams performing The Height Below (also summer 73), Deep Purple 'Doin Their Thing' (ITV Late 70), The Mahavishnu Orchestra (BBC In Concert 72 & 73), Yes 'Sounding Out' (BBC 72), Return to Forever (BBC 74). Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth 'at home' (guests John Williams and Keith Emerson, mid 73). I've run out for now! What weird choices I hear you cry! I can't think of anything from more recent times - which says a lot I suppose... Best wishes.
What a world away from today, amazing to think all those ppl learned to play an instrument which is so difficult without RU-vid and easily available materials to help, true pioneer's and amazingly talented ppl every one of them, respect to them all
Rosslyn into shake shake mama is genius. Saw John twice in the 00's, first with Robin Williamson and secondly on his 'john'. Such a down to earth dude - evidenced by the answers to the stupid questions lol.
Incredible line-up! Just about the biggest names in every field of guitar playing. Would this be possible today? I came to listen to John Renbourne but it would be nice to hear the others if someone has the whole programme.
Wow!!!! Just stumbled on this cool Video- thanks for posting!!! During this time frame--Renbourn’ was Right up there with Lenny Breau’ and Jerry Reed’ and other great finger stylists
Something changed inside me when I first heard Sweet Child by Pentangle in 1969 - I’d never heard acoustic guitars sound like that! I was a Renbourn fan from that moment on!
What a Fantastic Find! Oh, I “worked” for Barney @Barney Kessels Music World Vine&Yucca Hollywood in the late 1960’s as a parts runner…whew, what a Life
I don’t know how he can play so effortlessly at the best of times nevermind having had a few jars. If I have half a pint my mediocre playing deteriorates even after 30 odd years of graft.
I don't know how to put it in words, but John's right hand picking motions look very unique. I have not seen other finger players move those fingers in that way. Sometimes it looks like his fingers are almost parallel with the strings, and his wrist/hand somehow float freely without loss of control.
He is slightly parallel'd. You can hear it's effect (see intro Rosslyn for a quick grasp). Makes for a nice soft sound as opposed to a slightly undefined pluck which might come out. And with his multitude of plucks it makes for a nice pillowy tune.
The one he plays here is called Rosslyn, which has the same tuning as Pelican, and shares some of the same licks and progressions. I imagine that Pelican is a more developed version of Rosslyn.
@@Rahoorkhuitable well, I think so but sincerly Bert has nothing to envy of John. I mean both had their own style and in that way John is more like a musician/guitar player, Bert is more like a songwriter (his words). I am sure that one looked at the other with wonder and desire to learn. Bert didn't write Lady Nothing as John didn't write Chambertin. Two geniuses, but I prefer Bert's style.