1968 to 1972, saw the release of six studio albums from folk’s first supergroup Pentangle. Featuring the songwriting talents of guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, alongside bassist Danny Thompson, drummer Terry Cox and singer Jacqui McShee, their innovative folk-fusion encompassed elements of jazz as well as pop, that left a lasting influence and legacy.
The first five albums were released on legendary folk label Transatlantic, while Solomon’s Seal (1972), on the Reprise label, was their final album with the original line-up.
Now for the first time ever, these albums are available as a 14LP deluxe box set. Each album has been expanded with a wealth of bonus material, including choice selections from contemporaneous solo LPs by Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, out-takes and live tracks. Across the package, there is an impressive amount of 22 recordings previously unreleased on LP. Some of the albums are being reissued on vinyl for the first time in decades with Solomon’s Seal last being released as an LP in 1977, shortly followed by Reflection in 1980.
Each album is presented in a gatefold sleeve replicating the original artwork. These are housed in an rigid slipcase box alongside an special gatefold holding a 64-page book awash with rare images and over 20,000 words of sleeve-notes, which include: a Q&A culled from past interviews by author Mick Houghton with Jansch, Renbourn and McShee; essays about each album by a variety of music journalists (Stuart Penney, Trevor Leeden, Nigel Cross, Colin Irwin, Lois Wilson and Jim Wirth); a lengthy chronology; and track-by-track details.
Jacqui McShee commented on the boxset: “I am honoured to see our work as Pentangle celebrated with this special vinyl boxset release. The collection represents a journey through a significant chapter in music history – One in which we sought to experiment and explore each other’s talents and just enjoy making music together.
“Each song and album hold a special place in my heart, not only for the music itself but for the incredible memories and experiences that we shared as a band. I hope this release brings listeners, both old and new, the same joy and connection that we felt while creating this music together.
“To all our fans who have supported our music over the years, thank you. You are keeping the Pentangle legacy alive, and I hope this boxset serves as a celebration of all that we accomplished together”.
This boxset will be available in three variations: black, Solomon’s Seal edition – natural transparent w/blue and white marble and the Svart exclusive multicolour limited 250 copies edition, that will only be available via Svart Records webstore.
Their debut, The Pentangle (1968), was hailed as a folk rock classic and reached No. 21 in the UK album charts. This was swiftly followed in the same year by their ambitious double album Sweet Child. The band’s third LP Basket Of Light (1969) was their most commercially successful, reaching number 5 in the charts. 1970’s album Cruel Sister, saw the group reinterpret traditional folk songs, while Reflection (1971), is seen by many as their most adventurous, with them continuing to explore new musical ground.
Pentangle’s first three albums and three singles were produced by the legendary Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks, etc.) while Peter Blake designed the sleeve for Sweet Child (one of only three such commissions in the 60s).
Pentangle: The Albums: 1968-1972 boxset will be released by Svart Records on 16th April 2025, and can be ordered here.
Track listing for Pentangle: The Albums: 1968-1972 is as follows:
The Pentangle: Side A – ‘Let No Man Steal Your Thyme’, ‘Bells’, ‘Hear My Call’, ‘Pentangling’; Side B – ‘Mirage’, ‘Way Behind The Sun’, ‘Bruton town’, ‘Waltz’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Koan (Take 2)’, ‘The Wheel’, ‘The Casbah’, ‘Bruton Town (Take 3)’, ‘Hear My Call (Alternate Version)’, ‘Way Behind The Sun (Alternate Version)’, ‘Way Behind The Sun (Instrumental)’; Side D, Bonus Tracks – ‘Bruton Town (Take 5)’ *, ‘Koan’ (Take 1), ‘Travellin’ Song (Single Version With Strings)’, ‘Poison’ (august 1967 session), ‘I Got A Feeling (August 1967 Session)’ *, ‘Market Song (August 1967 Session) *.
Sweet Child – I (Live At The Festival Hall): Side A – ‘Market Song’, ‘No More My Lord’, ‘Turn Your Money Green’, ‘Haitian Fight Song’, ‘A Woman Like You’, ‘Goodbye Pork-pie Hat’. Side B – ‘Three Dances: Brentzel Gay/La Rotta/The Earl Of Salisbury’, ‘Watch The Stars’, ‘So Early In The Spring’, ‘No Exit’, ‘The Time Has Come’, ‘Bruton Town’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Hear my Call’, ‘Let No Man Steal Your Thyme’, ‘Bells’, ‘Travelling Song’; Side D, Bonus tracks – ‘Waltz’, ‘Way Behind The Sun’, ‘John Donne Song’.
Sweet Child – II (Studio): Side A – ‘Sweet Child, ‘I Loved A Lass’, ‘Three Part Thing’, ‘Sovay’, ‘In Time’; Side B – ‘In Your Mind’, ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’, ‘The Trees They Do Grow High’, ‘Moon Dog’, ‘Hole In The Coal’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Hole In The Coal (Alternative Version)’, ‘The Trees They Do Grow High (Alternative Version)’, ‘Haitian Fight Song (Studio Version)’, ‘In Time (Alternative version)’, ‘A Woman Like You (Unabridged Trio Version)’ *; Side D, Bonus tracks – ‘I’ve Got A Woman (Trio Mix)’ *, ‘I Am Lonely (Jansch Solo Mix)’ *, ‘Poison’, ‘Blues’, ‘Sally Go Round The Roses (Alternative Version 2)’, ‘Moon Dog (Full Band Version)’ *.
Basket Of Light: Side A – ‘Light Flight (Theme From Take Three Girls)’, ‘Once I Had A Sweetheart’, ‘Springtime Promises’, ‘Lyke-wake Dirge’, ‘Train Song’; Side B – ‘Hunting Song’, ‘Sally Go Round The Roses’, ‘The Cuckoo, ‘House Carpenter’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Sally Go Round The Roses (Alternate Version)’, ’Cold Mountain (B-Side), ‘I Saw An Angel (B-Side)’, ‘House Carpenter (Live In Aberdeen 26/3/70) ‘*, ‘Light Flight (Live In Aberdeen 26/3/70)’ *; Side D, Bonus track – ‘Pentangling (Live In Aberdeen 26/3/70)’.
Cruel Sister: Side A – ‘A Maid That’s Deep In Love, ‘When I Was In My Prime’, ‘Lord Franklin’, ‘Cruel Sister’; Side B – ‘Jack Orion’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken? (Take 1, No Harmonica/El Guitar)’ *, ‘Rain And Snow (Take 2)’ *, ‘Omie Wise (Take 2, Live Vox) *, ‘John’s Song (Alias So Clear) (Take 7)’ *; Side D, Bonus tracks – ‘Reflection (Olympic Studios Take 1)’ *, ‘When I Get Home (Alternative Vocal)’ *.
Reflection: Side A – ‘Wedding Dress’, ‘Omie Wise’, ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken?’, ‘When I Get Home’, ‘Rain And Snow’; Side B – ‘Helping Hand, ‘So Clear’, ‘Reflection’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘Shake Shake Mamma’, Kokomo Blues’, ‘Faro Annie’, ‘Back On The Road Again’, Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Take 3, Live Vox)’ *; Side D, Bonus tracks – ‘Reflection (Command Studios, Take 1, Wordless Vox) *, ‘John’s Song (Take 5, Fuzz Guitar)’ *, ‘Wondrous love’ *.
Solomon’s Seal: Side A – ‘Sally Free And Easy’, ‘The Cherry Tree Carol’, ‘The Snows’, ‘High Germany’, ‘People On The Highway’; Bide B – ‘Willy O’ Winsbury’, No Love Is Sorrow’, ‘Jump Baby Jump’, ‘Lady Of Carlisle’; Side C, Bonus tracks – ‘When I Get Home (Live At Guildford Civic Hall 11/72)’ *, ‘She Moved Through The Fair (Live At Guildford Civic Hall 11/72)’ *, ‘Train Song (Live At Guildford Civic Hall 11/72)’ *.
* previously unreleased on vinyl.
