148. Pentangle — Basket of Light (1969)

1. I was caught off guard a bit by this folk-jazz album. The acoustic rhythms are nice, the sound full but simple. No surprise on those counts; Pentangle features Bert Jansch, who I’ve previously ranked as high as 40 out of 130 on the list for his self-titled debut album. Many of the elements I praised there — in particularly his rhythmic guitar work — are present here as well. They still work great.
2. But context is crucial. In 1965, pop music was still heavily folk-driven, and Jansch offered sounds that offered a fun, distinct twist on some of the really simple sounds that were popular at the time. In 1969, a mere four years later, pop music had changed quite a bit; coming to this album shortly after groundbreaking albums by the Beatles and Who, following a unique Miles Davis jazz album and just ahead of a new Rolling Stones album, it feels trapped in the past.
3. A big part of this is the presence of co-lead vocalist Jacqui McShee; her wispy vocals make this sound almost like a group you’d expect at a Renaissance Faire, not a major album at a crucial turning point in pop music. It’s akin to comparing the vocals on a Disney movie like Snow White vs a Jungle Book; it’s a style that feels out of place, and I struggle with that.
4. The tracks where Jansch takes lead vocals, such as “Springtime Promises,” work a lot better for me. The nearly 7-minute centerpiece “Hunting Song” features a variety of lead vocals, and this works better as well. Still, it’s Jansch I’m here for, and I find myself longing for more of his solo self. The album doesn’t seem to be overwhelmingly impactful (unsurprisingly), nor a uniquely well-acclaimed album; I’m a bit surprised to find it on the 1001.

Next up: The Rolling Stones let it bleed

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