56. Bert Jansch — Bert Jansch (1965)

1. Nothing against Bert Jansch as a lyricist or singer — he’s fine, but his voice isn’t particularly distinct — but he and this album are at their finest when his guitar takes center stage…or, in the case of the purely instrumental tracks, left, right, and center stage. The album closer, “Angie,” is one of the most stunning songs I’ve heard in these first 56 albums. It’s inventive, percussive, complex, intense guitar work that I just love fully. If you told me it was a Rodrigo Y Gabriela song, I’d believe you and also think it was the best thing they’d ever made; but it’s just one man, and it was done in 1965. Incredible. Stop and go listen to it at the bottom of this article now.
2. It’s not a surprise, I suppose, to discover that it’s his guitar that made him famous, with everyone from Jimmy Page & Neil Young to Devendra Banhardt and Fleet Foxes crediting him as a key influence. Not bad for a Scottish folk singer who had to borrow the guitar he used to record this album.
3. The rest of the album is solid as well; “Smokey River,” is another strong instrumental track, and tunes like “Needle of Death” and “Running From Home” are quality vocal-driven folk tunes. The melodies themselves have a tendency to repeat motifs and themes, and Jansch’s vocals aren’t particularly unique, but they pair well with the guitar work happening. Jansch really sounds a ton like Nick Drake (another act he influenced), but there are worst comparisons. I love that damn Garden State soundtrack.
4. It continues to fascinate me how central folk music was in the pop world around this time. The indie world of the 2010’s churned out a handful of notable pop folk acts as well, but I get the sense that acts like Jansch, Dylan, the Byrds were crucial to the direction of pop. It’s a sound I’m continuing to develop a taste for, and awesome to hear how that sound expanded during the early 60s.

One Essential Song:

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