Customer Reviews
Gorgeous - By: J. R. Palmer, 03 May 2008 
I've just been listening to my (previous release) copy of this album & it's excellent!. It gave me the opportunity to compare House Carpenter with Joan Baez (and Sweeney's Men) & it stands up magnificently. You have 6 days left to download their performance on Later via BBC iPlayer!
A Must Have For Folk Fans. - By: Ed, 01 Jul 2007 Now I'm not your average folk fan, I mainly listen to Hard Rock & Metal, you see. But Pentangle along with Fairport Convention turned me into a Folk fan. This album simply put is stunning, it's experimental & original without ever sounding forced or betraying the bands Folk roots. As previous reviewers have mentioning Pentangle mixed Folk, Jazz, Blues & Pop music effortlessly with rarely less than amazing results. The versatility on display on this record is quite frankly astounding ranging from jazzy pop on 'Light Flight' to a the sinister medieval 'Lyke Wake Dirge'.
It almost goes without saying that the level of musicianshipin Pentangle is Phenomenal, Bert & John are absolutely astounding guitarists (the Glen & KK of Folk! Bet no ones ever said that before!) & provide stunning interplay throughout without ever descending into pointless noodling. Jacqui McShee sings lead vocals with a beautiful high range & shares vocal duties with Bert Jansch to provide interesting contrast.
Furthermore the song writing is exceptional with absolutely no weak tracks. However 'Light Flight', 'Lyke Wake Dirge', 'Hunting Song' & 'House Carpenter' are favourites of mine.
Soin conclusion if you are interestingin progressive Folk or perhaps new to Folk this is defiantly a good starting point. Easily one of the best records of the 60's.
10/10 flawless.
Exquisite - By: czgibson, 11 Mar 2007 This is an extraordinary album - probably the best acoustic music I've ever heard. Every member of the group is a master of their instrument, & the music they produce is spine-tingling.
It's difficult to categorise, but the band take folk music as their starting point, & then expand it to include jazz & rock elements. The sense of communication between the musicians is a delight to hear. It's a real shame that the current music industry doesn't seem to acknowledge sheer musical talent of the kind that's abundantly on display here.
Probably the best British folk/rock/jazz album ever made. - By: Mark Studden, 04 Mar 2007 There was a time when, browsing the racks at your favourite record shop, if the label said Transatlantic you were pretty much guaranteed that the contents would be worth your money. You could invest, safein the knowledge that you'd be likely to be impressed by the album when you got it home.
Basket Of Light put a stop to that.
After this, even the provenance of the Transatlantic label was not enough. Once you had found & bought this album, there were simply not going to be many future occasions upon which a new acquisition would impress you as much as this one.
This one got there first, did it best, & took no prisoners.
One of the ten best albums ever made. But then, that's just my opinion. I've got thousands of the things, but this is one of the very few I regularly come back to. I can hum any of these songs under my breath even when I haven't played it for months.
You already know pretty much what kind of music this is, or you wouldn't be reading this. All I can say is, believe the hype, this band werein a league of their own, & this is some of their best material. Awesome.
Simply the Best of British, so buy it.! - By: Mr. N. Wulfricson, 23 Mar 2006 This album has got to be the best British Folk album ever recorded. This is because every single song is excellent (no filler here!). The band inject a contemporary feel to the folk idiom. The album's title is perfect, as it fits the music.
As you begin listening, a few thing may kick in. The acoustic musicianship is sublime. The tunes are tunesome. You feel good as you hum & tap your feet. Later on, you might begin to wonder what the point of amplified electrical music ever was. As the late sixties vibes groove into you, you might imagine yourself a flower-childin a basket of light...
Unlike some rather 'quaint' folk albums I've heard, this folk album is emotionally authentic, & the mood is also very upliftingin it's sparkly jazziness. Past becomes fused with the future. The production is also very bright & crisp for the time. Innovative musical arrangements refresh, with influences from India to the U.S.A., & from the 12th century (Lake-Wyke Dirge) to the 20th, so there is never a dulltime. Most covers are from the Scottish Folk tradition. Original songs, such as 'Night Flight' are just as good. The band are essentially Scottish, but with an English rhythm section, making them a truly 'British' band. The album itself has a bit of a 'rock' feel to it, so if you like rock music, & are looking for something a little different, then I would recommend this album to you without hesitation.
Pentangle can be contrasted with the other great British Folk band of the time, Fairport Convention. Pentangle's playing often has a bright & breezy 'jazzy' feel to it, whereas Fairport are rooted more firmlyin a 'bluesy' feel.
Finally, Jacqui McShee can sing Aretha Franklin under the table. (Why don't we British ever hype up our own greats?). Bert Jansch & John Renbourn are superb guitar players. Danny Thompson's fretless acoustic bass playing is another musical treat.
If you have to buy just one folk albumin your life, then buy this one. Buy it. Dig it. Love it.
