CD Review

Bert Jansch
Birthday Blues / Rosemary Lane
(Essential Records)

This re-release combines two early Jansch recordings. Birthday Blues is not his best work, although there are some nice performances. But the feel is all wrong - with heavy reverb, drums, and some light-weight lyrics, this album is reminiscent of Cat Stevens' earliest efforts like Matthew & Son - a sort of Peter Pan Brit-pop. Fortunately, both artists achieved their own individual voice and depth soon after, and Jansch's Rosemary Lane is breathtaking.

Getting a disc like this in the mail makes my job worthwhile. Jansch's guitar playing is primal; like Cassals on cello, in Jansch's hands, the guitar becomes expressive, full of rhythmical oddities, woody tones, rough passages, breathing. The album capitalizes on the depth and strength of this playing with several original and classic instrumentals and three strikingly original arrangements of traditional songs. Jansch's "Reynardine," and the title track will haunt you - for years. Jansch's originals here are moody and sparse, quiet and imagistic, again giving priority to Jansch's musical discoveries. This album is essential.