Cruel Pentangle

Originally released in 1970, this was the fourth release from the British folk-rock group Pentangle and may qualify as their swan song. With only five songs, Jacqui McShee, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Terry Cox, and Danny Thompson create a dense, layered sound that is woven within the fabric of each song like a tapestry. Although known for their eclectic approach and love of jazz, here the group concentrates on traditional material like "A Maid That's Deep in Love" and the 18-minute "Jack Orion." A Pentangle fan will immediately note that John Renbourn is playing an electric guitar on "A Maid That's Deep in Love." This departure from purely acoustic doesn't create a bigger Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span sound but is imbedded quietly into the song…

Sanctuary's mammoth triple-disc Pentangle overview poses a bit of a dilemma. First of all, it's called Pentangling, which is already the name of a 1973 compilation, and secondly, while not deliberately misleading, it focuses more attention on the solo careers of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch than it does on the entity that supplies the collection's title. Despite these petty gripes, Pentangling is filled to the brim with some of the finest recordings the British folk movement had to offer, and hearing the group as a whole, followed by an entire disc – one apiece – of two of the genre's most gifted guitarists, is rewarding in more ways than one: both men, as well as the band, released material well into the 21st century, but Pentangling focuses only on their treasured late-'60s/early-'70s output. Listeners looking for a more comprehensive take on Pentangle would be better off with Castle's excellent Light Flight: The Anthology, and Renbourn and Jansch both have lovingly packaged retrospectives that fare better than the ones offered here, but as far as entry points go, Pentangling does more than skim the surface.

Essential box set presenting exceptional live and BBC session recordings by the reunited original line up of legendary folk rock band Pentangle. Tracks include live versions of fan favourites such as 'I've Got A Feeling', 'Pentangling' and the hit single 'Light Flight'. The recordings on disc 1 are sourced from the BBC archives and previously unreleased. These include six songs from Pentangle's brilliant first reunion appearance at The Cambridge Folk Festival in 1982 and a great version of 'Bruton Town' from their return there in 2011, plus sessions from BBC TV shows Six Fifty-Five Special and Later With Jools Holland, the 2007 Radio 2 Folk Awards and BBC Radio 6 Music's Freak Zone. Apart from the first eight tracks that feature the quartet of Bert Jansch (vocals/guitar), Jacqui McShee (vocals), John Renbourn (vocals/guitar) and Danny Thompson (double bass) as drummer Terry Cox was absent due to injury, 'Reunions' features all five members of the original Pentangle. Disc 2 contains 18 previously unreleased recordings of stunning performances from Thiene and Milan on Pentangle's triumphant 1982 Italian tour.

A 14-song, 63-minute collection (originally a double LP) comprising many of the highlights (but no "Light Flight") of the original group's history from 1968 through 1972. The notes are minimal, and there are no original release dates or any identification of the albums (The Pentangle, Sweet Child, Basket of Light, Cruel Sister, etc.) whence this material originated. The latter are the only flaws in what is otherwise a fine if not completely comprehensive cross-section of the group's work, showcasing their many and varied sides – Bert Jansch's, Danny Thompson's, and Terry Cox's jazz leanings in "Train Song," John Renbourn's more traditional approach in "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme," their forays into medieval music ("Lyke-Wake Dirge") and progressive folk ("House Carpenter," "Bruton Town"), etc., much of it projected by Jacqui McShee's clear, soaring vocals. The CD also highlights their early records' effective use of stereo as a format for their contrasting technique, especially among the guitars and the rhythm section.

Six CD box set containing legendary folk rock band Pentangle's reunion albums released between 1984 and 1995. Featuring Open The Door (1984), In The Round (1986), So Early In The Spring (1989), Think Of Tomorrow (1991), One More Road (1993) and Live 1994 (1995). Also including are 27 previously unreleased recordings - 13 sourced from BBC sessions for the Radio 2 programs Folk On Two and Nightride. Plus three tracks from a BBC broadcast from the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London and a further eleven live in concert recordings from gigs in Portland, Oregon, New York, London and Dublin. Bert Jansch and Jacqui McShee led Pentangle throughout their reunion years and are present on all recordings in the box. Pentangle vocalist Jacqui McShee has contributed extensive notes to this package alongside Pentangle authority Colin Harper.

This 40th anniversary box set, lavishly illustrated and exhaustively annotated, features the best of their album tracks, singles and b-sides. All newly re-mastered, achieving the best sound to date - alongside no less than 30 previously unreleased live, broadcast and studio tracks. Among these lost gems are: their very first recording session from 1967; outtakes from The Pentangle (1968) and Reflection (1971); three 1968 BBC radio session tracks newly in stereo; live concert and television tracks spanning 1968- 73; and rare film soundtrack contributions.