Pentangle - 'Newsnight' 26/06/08

Robin Denselow investigates to third coming of the five and has coffee by the Thames with publishing personality Ian Anderson.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

In the mid 1980's, when I was 15, I found a copy of the compilation "Pentangling" released by Pickwick records in a charity shop in my home town, Bangor. N.I. I had no idea what they sounded like, I had never heard of John, Bert or Danny, I just liked the look of the band. When I got it home and put it on my old record player I was amazed. I'd never heard anything like it. I played it to my Mum and she recognised "Light Flight" from the T.V. programme Take Three Girls. I fell in love with the whole band and tracked down John and Bert's solo stuff and noticed Danny pop up on numerous albums from the 1960's and 70's. They are still one of my favourite bands. Thanks for this. I missed it as I now live in New Zealand. Rest in peace John and Bert. Magical mystical music.

[@hellomynameislynne3585]

Bert always blows my mind with his ability to sing it straight time and at the same time the guitar is in a totaly different timing.being a musician i cant stress enough that man had a remarkable talent

[@seangalbraith5286]

Was invited to open for Bert at the Flower Pot in Derby a lot of years ago. Great guy, a depth of greatness not realised until his sad passing. Bless you Bert RIP

[@johntaylor690]

Great stuff Colin. Marvellous cameo interviews. Was privileged to attend the last Festival Hall concert August 2011. To see the emotion on Bert's face as the gig drew to a conclusion was a musical moment that will never leave me.

[@bassfloot3807]

Great band, I saw them play in St Albans in mid 90’s. Excellent gig!

[@peterbland7227]

Basket of Light is one of my first albums in the early 70s. Each song of a precious jewel.

[@Jonepk]

Late sixties

[@peterbland7227]

@@Jonepk thanks. I bought the album in the early 70’s.

[@tsunchoo]

Excellent - so much music to know. So glad some of them got to play again before they passed.

[@nickhughes2434]

Never heard them till last year. Brilliant band.

[@jesseperrett3692]

Jaquie and John signed my "Cruel Sister" album. I shook hands with them AND John Martyn. Humble people.

[@joeobyrne3189]

Thanks for putting this up. Fantastic, really enjoyed it.

[@rickritacca3258]

Mesmerizing......loved it.

[@lens2optic]

The reason people get excited about bands like Pentangle reforming is that they were absolute quality . The songs were inspired .

[@barnyification]

Seen them on this tour in liververpool wonderful and uniquely British❤

[@keitholiver1299]

Wonderful, I must have missed that programme at the time. I did however go down to the Festival Hall for that show, a few after that around the UK, and again at the Festival Hall the following year, which turned out to be their last gig. On some old phone in a drawer somewhere is the encore filmed in full for that later Festival Hall show, Rain & Snow I think, which sadly was Bert's last ever performance.

[@colinharper8791]

Glastonbury and Cambridge Festivals in July/August 2011 were the last.

[@keitholiver1299]

@@colinharper8791 The Greenman followed those dates. There was a final festival hall show the following year

[@colinharper8791]

@@keitholiver1299 Apologies - the final three were Glastonbury (June 2011), Cambridge (late July 2011), Festival Hall (1 August 2011). The Green Man performance was in 2008.

[@keitholiver1299]

@@colinharper8791 apologies, I'm not sure why I thought there was such a short gap between the Greenman Festival and the final show.

[@colinharper8791]

@@keitholiver1299 History feels compressed as life goes on...

[@CliffordMartinOnline]

Great Upload!👍

[@thewordofgord]

Thanks again for this clip CH. first time i"ve seen it. If you have tapes of those "lengthy improvisations" I'd sure like to hear them.

[@gepmrk]

Sometimes their improv reminds me of an acoustic version of Can.

[@winstonschwarz1636]

Do you remember when News night and Emily Matlis was good? Before the hate, culture wars and state propaganda? It was only 15 years ago. A far gentler time.

[@peterdelmonte9832]

Never mind; you’ve got GBNews now.

[@f104G]

@@peterdelmonte9832 And you'll always have Gary Lineker to applaud, Peter.

[@stevecarter8810]

Heard of but had never heard pentangle. But I loved magna carta. Now I have some context for them!

[@torreydunn7034]

Little late to this. Its a shame ill never get to see my all time most loved group.

[@MSophya]

Su voz finisima aun ❤

[@1e0s]

Extraordinary that such a unique musician as Terry Cox should leave and become a restauranteur. What a waste. I've never heard anyone quite like him & so glad he gave us a second chance

[@barriepotter3753]

Could it also be a reflection on the state of modern music?

[@seangrogan3622]

If Pentangle is looking for a support act, myself, Joseph Flanagan and Rainbow (the donkey) are reforming as Water with Whisky, and are planning a leisurely tour of Connemara, if they be keen to warble in the vicinity near us

[@replicas11]

Alan Whicker at 3.18

[@danielschaeffer1294]

IMO the only “popular” group that ever surpassed this in terms of pure musicianship and eclecticism was the first Mahavishnu Orchestra. And not by much.

[@colinharper8791]

I agree. Spooky!

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Can't hear ... low volume.

[@alexfletcher5192]

It's entirely in tune with the progressive idea of the age - that you don't stick to just folk - and I don't know if the audience would have the same appetite if it did.

[@robertnewell5057]

'Waiting tables in Menorca and suchike', indeed. Can't really blame 'no mates' - she's just the talking head - just so poorly researched. She should try not to sound so snarky about it all, though. Makes them sound like a bunch of hasbeens getting together for final payday. In fact, Terry actually opened and owned that restaurant(still does for all I know), while Bert and John had long solo careers and collaborations till their sad and untimely deaths. Bert was described by Neil Young as 'the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar) and between them they inspired generations of guitar players. Jacqui gigged continuously with John and various combos as 'Jacqui McShee's Pentangle' (with the blessing of fellow band members) and still does today. Danny has recorded across the range from jazz to pop, both in groups and sessions. Not bad for 'and suchlike', eh? Loved them since I was in my teens. When I saw them on their reunion tour they were well up to the original standard, and played their standard repertoire with expertise and respect. Never heard anything like them and don't expect to again.

[@steveblease]

How can say Pentangle and those other names in the same breath? Clowns

[@ColtraneTaylor]

No kidding.

[@cliveclerkenville2637]

Oh please be quiet.

[@Simon-fr4ts]

Danny Thompson looked in much better health than Bert and John who both looked bloated. Both are long dead now, but Danny is still alive. Jacqui always looked relatively healthy, although she did gain weight, but women generally outlast men anyway.