Bert Jansch's Conundrum - The Curragh of Kildare

Arrangement of the Irish traditional tune by Bert Jansch.
Pick Withers (pre-Dire Straits), drums; Rod Clements (post-Lindisfarne), bass.
From the Danish TV film "A Man And His Songs" broadcast 1976.
Recorded probably at Jansch' home in Putney, early 1976. Violinist Mike Piggott was a member at this time but not present at this session.

[@tiznewman8796]

A friend at work in the 1970s introduced me to the music of Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Al Stewart. What a blessing that was. An age that has passed so lovely to see this video. Thank you.

[@ILLSmak]

I remm someone said something about Bert not being quite the folk singer Anne Briggs was, and I was like woah, hold up. I respect her immensely, and this is "I'm too drunk" era Bert, but still this song really allows a singer to show their singing ability. I wish this had been done around 70 cuz people really underrate his singing ability.

[@Jonpriley]

Well, it's definitely true that Bert was "not quite the folk singer Anne Briggs was" (almost nobody was!), but I agree he had a great voice of his own. He didn't always exploit it fully, and was often lazy with his enunciation (mumbling ends of phrases) - and that wasn't always down to alcohol consumption. But it had character and expression, as well as secure pitching (allowing bluesy variations), and that's all any folk singer needs - and he really does this song justice here.

[@ILLSmak]

@@Jonpriley ooo or compare go your way my love.

[@ILLSmak]

On iPad so I can’t fix, it ate a post cuz I was posting from alert window. I said i appreciate reply, but I bet Anne would back up Bert as a top guy. Anne’s vocal quality is nuts. Her rhythm and such on ballads along with her personification of poor heart broken teen girls haha more or less is spot on. Bert has that on a boyish level though, that magic. Sometimes guys may be more allured by it, but I get Bert’s allure, too. I posted a link and listed some stuff. Oh well. Bert also is a genius imo like beyond artistic genius. His crafting of songs matches with his singing craft, they have the same complex rhythms or just loop perfectly like courting blues so it’s almost a chant. Mesmerizing. Bert is like a magician and that’s top folk to me. Not saying anne isn’t but I’m def not feeling the fact that people think it’s an easy decision, but Anne did have a bird like quality that he didn’t. His notes were all kinda sour but it was consistent and emotional and like I said exuded a boyish charm to match Anne’s girlish. They had to be a hilarious pair to be around. But yea go your way is her song and Bert absolutely destroyed it. The guitar helps but he creates a stage for himself. I really personally do think alcohol had a lot to do with his slightly falling off at times. River sessions was amazing and around the same time. Moonshine was a good album. He just had some recordings that were meh but to be fair there were a lot more of him than her. Live especially.

[@Vingul]

Have watched this 20+ times in the past week. Much better than the version on the album.

[@himmelblau66]

great, great great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@greenetolstoy]

Just love how Pick and especially) Rod are looking to Bert for cues. Bert is playing, singing and leading so naturally

[@DjNikGnashers]

How have I not seen this clip before (massive Bert fan). Great recording quality, thanks.

[@glorialeonburke9]

Love your style and voice. You will get far in your life, giving love to those who listen to you like me.

[@johngordon4649]

having a rare strum, and started playing this, which I never could, but a late mate could. Only 41 but was very fortunate to see Bert a few times with the aforementioned friend. Bert was of course a master

[@TheGman858]

Very nice thank you for sharing

[@naifabdalkreem8294]

In velvet of the green I will appear And straight I will go there To the curragh of Kildare For it’s there that I’ll find tidings of my dear

[@pentangle78]

amazing video, thank you

[@thewordofgord]

Yes and this group arrangement delights. Pretty sure this entire tv doc in loaded up somewhere.

[@Jonpriley]

Indeed it is. In three parts, elsewhere on my channel. Here's part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2bZh5yeYsyfntU

[@Darrenmccarthymusica]

beautiful!

[@formzino]

God bless Bert jansch

[@thewordofgord]

Thanks for this Jon !

[@mariajosemorenoguerrero8638]

Thankyou!

[@elmomontecerin1735]

Anyway berth harshes voice fits naturaky ti the kind of folksy music long time ago.. its a treasure to have berths jansch voice

[@user-yd3kn5wx2y]

c'est un bon lui pour moi il reste monsieur pentangle numéro un

[@terencemacsweeney3667]

On the album sleeve notes confusion is evident because the Curragh is mixed up with a currach. Which unfortunately means they did not know what the song was about, - hardly a conundrum.That said, here, the song is played to a nice tempo however at times Bert is stretching his voice. Great to see this video. Thanks

[@tessjuel]

The title is spelled correctly on the original Danish release of the album so I suppose "currach" was a typo or maybe whoever wrote the sleeve notes was confused (the original album doesn't have any sleeve notes so I don't know).

[@terencemacsweeney3667]

@@tessjuel For sleeve notes I mean album cover notes. It is more than a typo because the the album cover notes suggest the Curragh is some kind of boat. It's almost like whosoever wrote the notes knew nothing of the song and just made something up to put on the album cover. Reading & listening to the lyrics it should be clear the song is about a place. No worries, ... just a mistake.

[@tessjuel]

@@terencemacsweeney3667 That's interesting. Which album are you talking about? I know the track has been on at least three, first on "Poor Mouth", then on "A Strange Conumdrum" and finally on the "Three Chord Trick". I had the "Poor Mouth" album and it's spelled correctly there. I don't know about the other two.

[@terencemacsweeney3667]

@@tessjuel OK, I dug it out, ... Album is 'A Rare Conundrum', Kicking Mule Records, No. KM302. The main portion of the back cover is an introduction and bio of the artist and thereafter about a quarter of the back cover is taken up with notes on each song and signed by the man himself. The offending passage is , ... " The Curragh of Kildare - An Irish song learned from the singing of Finbar Furey. No one is very sure what a Curragh is, but there are many theories: such as a small boat similiar to a Scottish Coracale, or something to do with a well known racecourse in Ireland with the same name. Nevertheless, it is a fine song of unrequited love. Played in G major." Having now reminded myself of this detail Bert himself does take responsibility and further he did not understand the lyrics. Oh well, ... thats life. It's sad because anybody who has spent a wet week in Ireland will now the difference between a currach and The Curragh. No conundrum there. Best

[@tessjuel]

@@terencemacsweeney3667 Conundrum was the name of the band Jansch had at that time so that explains how the word ended up here. I'm surprised Jansch was confused about the meaning of the title. The Curragh of Kildare is a fairly well known place and from what I've been able to find out (I haven't double checked it and it's been a few years since I reasearched the origin of the song) it used to be a natural meeting place for youngsters doing all the things yougsters have always done (partying, dancing, drinking etc.) long before they built a race track there. It's exactly the kind of place a young maiden might go to to hear tidings of her lost love. Jansch is spot on when it comes to what really matters though. It is indeed a fine song of unrequited love.

[@hassammahmoodq]

please post the interviewwwww

[@MrSambollet]

still here on new years eve god save us all TOM BINGHAM

[@mcgrate2]

Being a Kildare man myself i obviously have a love of this Tune, But i have no idea who these guys are,, Anyone want to take me out of darkness here???

[@Jonpriley]

Their names are given in the comments. More on Bert Jansch here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Jansch, and on Rod Clements here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Clements. I take it you've heard of Dire Straits? ;-)

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Shame what happened to Pick Withers after this. He lost all interest in music and fell into Dire Straits.

[@debs4mysweetbaby]

Haha!!

[@runbambirun]

it's a bit sad that Bert, a Scot, didn't know this was actually a Scottish song, written by Robert Burns.

[@Jonpriley]

Actually, it seems there is plenty of debate about the origins of both the text and the melody. Burns certainly wrote one version, but the song has both Irish and Scottish DNA, with strong links to Ireland. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curragh_of_Kildare mainlynorfolk.info/folk/songs/thewinteritispast.html

[@MrSambollet]

First time I've heard this live and now he's dead.

[@mvl6827]

But his legacy lives on in Glasgow and beyond 💜❤️🎶

[@MrSambollet]

Oh it does indeed the world over

[@MrPennystyle01]

What kind of dipshit comment is that?

[@Vingul]

@@MrPennystyle01 pretty sure it was intended as less of a dipshit comment than yours.

[@peterbyrne178]

Very enjoyable version ...the Johnston's probably the definitive one though ....or Emmett Spiceland

[@helenbrennan8832]

I prefer my version....Helen Brennan

[@Vingul]

Bruh.

[@hempenasphalt1587]

It's a good song, but his voice is not that good.

[@keithwigley1256]

Thats what makes it good ...the soul and feeling behind the voice..Was Dylans voice good...how many trained opera singers can sing but without any soul..its a bout whats in and behind the voice.. and yo my commenting bro.

[@tessjuel]

Remember this is a rough, informal recording with no editing and only half the band present. You can hear the official studio recording here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHeQfaKritylsJY

[@Vingul]

It's not that good, it's *great*

[@obk1404]

@@tessjuel Both versions are good but if I had to pick one it would be this.

[@FenceThis]

his voice is great !