Bert Jansch - Avocet
by Keith How
published: 8 / 11 / 2019
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Keith How reflects on Bert Jansch's 1979 album, 'Avocet', which has been newly re-released in an expanded version on vinyl.
Get this while you can: a 40th anniversary edition of Bert Jansch’s much lauded 1979 album 'Avocet', of which there will be 200 copies, on white vinyl only. In his book 'Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival' (a recent charity shop find for me) Colin Harper recounts that Bert, when asked which of his recordings he favoured, chose 'Avocet'. Harper also writes the informative liner notes for this release. Revisiting the album is such a pleasure and is a wonderful reminder of just how special it is to hear great musicians at the top of their game. Danny Thompson's bass playing outstrips much of his work with John Martyn, in my opinion. The track 'Kingfisher', for instance, is a revelation, finding Thompson's jazz flourishes intertwining with Jansch and Martin Jenkin's violin in what could almost be a freeform jam. Anyone familiar with 'Avocet' will feel like they're meeting an old friend when listening to the work, while new listeners will find much to enchant them. Jansch commented that he was "playing for himself" on this record - and the freedom the players have is a joy to hear. Jansch plays both guitar and piano - proving that folk-rock and traditional folk does not necessarily need vocal accompaniment. The title track alone is a masterful composition that ebbs and flows without ever feeling lost or tedious, conjuring up a bucolic atmosphere to gladden any heart. It is also positively symphonic, clocking in at eight minutes. Jansch's influence continues today, inspiring new young musicians such as Toby Hay (who also has a strong ornithological flavour to his instrumental work) and Henry Parker, to name just a couple of torchbearers. With the addition of three bonus live recordings, made in Italy in 1977, and new liner notes from Danny Thompson, this release is a true collectors' piece.
Track Listing:-
Also In ReView
Andreas Dorau (2022)
Andrew Gold (2023)
Anthony Moore (2022)
Bark Psychosis (2018)
Beatles (2023)
Bert Jansch (2020)
Beth Orton (2014)
Big Eyes Family (2021)
Billy Idol (2018)
Bitter Springs (2021)
Blind Mr Jones (2015)
Blondie (2022)
Blue Nile (2014)
Bodines (2023)
Boyracer (2023)
Breathless (2016)
Brinsley Schwarz (2017)
Cardiacs (2014)
Chvrches (2014)
David Bowie (2022)
David Gray (2020)
Death and Vanilla (2016)
Donald Fagen (2021)
Doug Dillard Expedition (2024)
Earthworks (2020)
Flamin Groovies (2015)
Flaming Stars (2024)
Giant Sand (2020)
Giant Sand (2018)
Gomez (2018)
Gong (2015)
Grace Jones (2016)
Grace Jones (2014)
Graham Day and the Forefathers (2019)
Hawks (2021)
Hawkwind (2022)
Hot Pepper (2018)
Ian A. Anderson (2021)
Ian Dury (2021)
Iron Butterfly (2014)
John Cooper Clarke (2016)
Joni Mitchell (2021)
Keith Richards (2022)
Lapre (2020)
Lemonheads (2022)
Loft (2021)
Madness (2014)
McCarthy (2015)
Mercury Rev (2019)
Miscellaneous (2020)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Monochrome Set (2015)
Mothmen (2015)
Motorpsycho (2015)
New Leaf (2022)
New Musik (2023)
One Thousand Violins (2023)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2015)
Orchids (2023)
Party Day (2021)
Pele (2017)
Phil Alvin (2015)
Phil Ochs (2016)
Primitives (2015)
Prolapse (2022)
Roger Mcguinn (2018)
Rubik (2021)
Sorrow (2018)
T. Rex (2023)
Television Personalities (2018)
Terry Allen (2016)
Thin Lizzy (2023)
Townes Van Zandt (2015)
Trashmen (2020)
Ty Segall (2022)
UB40 (2015)
Various (2022)
Various (2022)
VIPS (2020)
Wolfhounds (2015)
Zz Top (2018)
Band Links:-
https://www.bertjansch.com/https://www.facebook.com/bertjansch
https://twitter.com/bert_jansch
https://bertjansch.bandcamp.com
Have a Listen:-
Picture Gallery:-
profiles |
Profile (2018) |
Malcolm Carter finds that the first eight albums from Scottish guitar virtuoso Bert Jansch, which are being re-released on two new box sets ‘A Man I’d Rather Be', parts 1 and 2, are essential listening and not just for folk music fans. |
favourite album |
Crimson Moon (2020) |
Keith How appraises a reissue of 'Crimson Moon', the 21st LP by legendary, late Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch which feature appearances from Johnny Marr and Bernard Butler. |
bandcamp
reviews |
From the Outside (2016) |
Immensely rewarding reissue of 1985 LP from influential folk guitarist Bert Jansch, which was originally released in Belgium in an edition of just 500 copies |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Madeline Bell - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jimmy Nail - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart