November 1 – Sophomore Success for the Pentangle

The Pentangle – Sweet Child

Continuing a busy day of significant 1968 album releases, British folk rock group the Pentangle released their second album of the year and second overall on this date fifty years ago, and on it they proved they were no one-album wonder.  Sweet Child is a double album; half of it was recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, London, in June of ’68, the other half in the studio.

In addition to the folk and rock element, the Pentangle added experimental jazz and blues to their repertoire – something which set them apart from contemporaries Fairport Convention.  To illustrate how prolific they were at the time, the live half of the album on the original release contains only one song from their debut earlier in the year, with the rest of it and the second disc being completely new material.  Its tracks’ origins run the gamut, from traditional songs, to jazz and blues from the likes of Charles Mingus and Furry Lewis, to originals by the group.  The album jacket was designed by Peter Blake, of Sgt. Pepper fame.

In his AllMusic review, Matthew Greenwald calls Sweet Child “an awesome and delightful collection, and probably their finest hour.”  It’s also an hour for which I’ve arrived quite late.  When it comes to British folk rock groups, I’ve always favored Fairport Convention while giving short shrift to the Pentangle.  My only explanation is that I prefer Sandy Denny’s vocals to Jacqui McShee’s.

But I’m acquiring a taste for her singing, and there’s so much more to this group anyway with dual virtuoso guitarists John Renbourn and Bert Jansch (not to mention the latter’s vocals), as well as Danny Thompson’s jazz-infused stand up bass.  I’ve been enjoying solo Renbourn and Jansch for a while now, so it’s a no-brainer.  I’m finally waking up to this amazing group.

Tracklist:

Side One:

1. Market Song
2. No More My Lord
3. Turn Your Money Green
4. Haitian Fight Song
5. A Woman Like You
6. Goodbye Pork-Pie Hat

Side Two:

1. Three Dances:  a) Brentzel Gay b) La Rotta c) The Earl of Salisbury
2. Watch the Stars
3. So Early in the Spring
4. No Exit
5. The Time Has Come
6. Bruton Town

Side Three:

1. Sweet Child
2. I Loved a Lass
3. Three-Part Thing
4. Sovay
5. In Time

Side Four:

1. In Your Mind
2. I’ve Got a Feeling
3. The Trees They Do Grow High
4. Moon Dog
5. Hole in My Coal

-Stephen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Child

https://www.popmatters.com/pentangle-sweet-child-turns-50-2601840684.html

https://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-child-mw0000206628