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EARTH RECORDS

Bert Jansch

A Man I’d Rather Be (Part 1)

    Comprising Bert’s seminal 1960s output (alongside his only album as a duet with Pentangle bandmate John Renbourn) this four disc set covers an era that forged creative paths for everyone from Neil Young to Johnny Marr. New listening notes from Bill Leader, as well as unseen photographs from Brian Shuel complete this special collection. Where to start with a career as prolific as that of Bert Jansch? Why, the beginning of course. Bert’s first studio (though as Bill Leader rightly points out, that’s a bit of a stretch) albums capture a man whose star is truly on the rise. It also marks his most prolific period - these four LPs were written, recorded and issued in just two years; a testament to not only Bert’s abundant musicality but to a time for music that was changing - excitedly - from minute to minute.

    From Bert’s masterclass in elegant, melodic, one-man-and-his-guitar fingerpicking on his self-titled LP, to the beginnings of something altogether more exotic on ‘Bert and John’, these records are nothing if not a remarkable insight into the changing face of folk music at the time. For those unfamiliar with Jansch’s oeuvre, this is a real treat; you won’t find a more comprehensively produced collection. ‘A Man I’d Rather Be’ includes all the original liner notes (from both Keith De Groot and Bert himself) as well as new ruminations from Bill Leader (who recorded much of Jansch’s nascent work) as well as never-before seen photographs by the illustrious Brian Shuel.

    For those in the know, this is a chance to revisit these extraordinary albums, revel in new insights and add some - perhaps more listenable LPs - to sit alongside their love-worn originals. “The Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar” - Neil Young // "At one point, I was absolutely obsessed with Bert Jansch. When I first heard that LP, I couldn’t believe it. It was so far ahead of what everyone else was doing. No one in America could touch that.” - Jimmy Page // "I particularly like his second record. The album before it [1965's Bert Jansch] is more revered and held up by most journalists as being the seminal one, but I think the songs are better on It Don't Bother Me, particularly the title track. The fact that they were both recorded in a kitchen at his mate's house is another reason why it has never dated.” 

    TRACK LISTING

    DISC ONE –

    Bert Jansch:

    1 Strolling Down The Highway
    2 Smokey River
    3 Oh How Your Love Is Strong
    4 I Have No Time
    5 Finches
    6 Ramblings Going To Be The Death Of Me
    7 Veronica
    8 Needle Of Death
    9 Do You Hear Me Now?
    10 Alice's Wonderland
    11 Running From Home
    12 Courting Blues
    13 Casbah
    14 Dreams Of Love
    15 Angie

    DISC TWO – It Don’t Bother Me:

    1 Oh My Babe
    2 Ring-A-Ding Bird
    3 Tinker's Blues
    4 Anti Apartheid
    5 The Wheel
    6 A Man I'd Rather Be
    7 My Lover
    8 It Don't Bother Me
    9 Harvest Your Thoughts Of Love
    10 Lucky Thirteen
    11 As The Day Grows Longer Now
    12 So Long (Been On The Road So Long)
    13 Want My Daddy Now
    14 900 Miles.

    DISC THREE – Jack Orion:

    1 The Waggoner's Lad
    2 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
    3 Jack Orion
    4 The Gardener
    5 Nottamun Town
    6 Henry Martin
    7 Black Water Side
    8 Pretty Polly.

    DISC 4 – Bert And John:

    1 East Wind
    2 Piano Tune
    3 Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
    4 Soho
    5 Tic-Tocative
    6 Orlando
    7 Red's Favorite
    8 No Exit
    9 Along The Way
    10 The Time Has Come
    11 Stepping Stones
    12 After The Dance.

    Bert Jansch

    Living In The Shadows Part 2: On The Edge Of A Dream

      Following on from Earth’s definitive collection of Jansch’s 1990s works ‘Living In The Shadows Part 2: On The Edge Of A Dream' picks up from where it left off, bringing together Bert Jansch’s final recordings, made between 2000 and 2006. This remarkable anthology documents some of Jansch’s finest work, and a man at the top of his game, some forty years(!) after his first release. From the brooding resonance of Crimson Moon (where Jansch is joined by Johnny Marr, Bernard Butler and Johnny “Guitar” Hodge, as well as son Adam Jansch and Bert’s wife Loren Jansch) to the intimacy of Edge Of A Dream (Bernard Butler, Hope Sandoval, Dave Swarbrick, Ralph McTell, Johnny “Guitar” Hodge, Paul Wassif, Adam Jansch and Loren Jansch) to the wondrous new folk / trad folk harmony of Black Swan (Beth Orton, Devendra Banhart, Kevin Barker, Helena Espvall, Paul Wassif), these seemingly very different albums all speak of one thing: Bert’s natural talent for turning out extraordinary music, regardless of genre. Disc four, The Setting Of The Sun, takes in more demos and unreleased material, with guest appearances from Gordon Giltrap and Johnny Marr adding additional delight for fans old and new. These peeks into Jansch’s recording process are nothing if not fascinating, with his home studio lending itself perfectly to any recording fancy he might arrive at. Like Part 1, this deluxe case-bound set exhibits the sublime attention to detail that has become Earth Recordings’ calling card. Liner notes come courtesy of colleague Bernard Butler and Bert’s son Adam, while a comprehensive listening guide (by esteemed journalist, Dave Henderson) is also included. 

      TRACK LISTING

      DISC ONE – Crimson Moon

      1 Caledonia
      2 Going Home
      3 Crimson Moon
      4 Downunder
      5 October Song
      6 Looking For Love
      7 Fool's Mate
      8 The River Bank
      9 Omie Wise
      10 My Donald
      11 Neptune's Daughter
      12 Singing The Blues

      DISC TWO – Edge Of A Dream

      1 On The Edge Of A Dream
      2 All This Remains
      3 What Is On Your Mind
      4 Sweet Death
      5 I Cannot Keep From Crying
      6 La Luna
      7 Gypsy Dave
      8 Walking This Road
      9 The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood
      10 Black Cat Blues
      11 Bright Sunny Morning

      DISC THREE – The Black Swan -

      1 The Black Swan
      2 High Days
      3 When The Sun Comes Up
      4 Katie Cruel
      5 My Pocket's Empty
      6 Watch The Stars
      7 A Woman Like You
      8 The Old Triangle
      9 Bring Your Religion
      10 Texas Cowboy Blues
      11 Magdalina's Dance
      12 Hey Pretty Girl..

      DISC FOUR – The Setting Of The Sun (Bonus Disc)

      1 Watch The Stars Demo, The Black Swan
      2 It Don’t Bother Me Unreleased, With Johnny Marr
      3 On The Edge Of A Dream Demo, Edge Of A Dream
      4 Walking This Road Demo, Edge Of A Dream
      5 My Pocket’s Empty Demo, The Black Swan
      6 Cocaine Unreleased, With Johnny Marr
      7 Untitled Unreleased
      8 Chambertin Unreleased, With Gordon Giltrap
      9 Katie Cruel Demo, The Black Swan
      10 Fool’s Mate Demo, Crimson Moon
      11 The Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood Demo, Edge Of A Dream

      There’s something particularly pleasing about a privately pressed record. The artist or musicians involved have wanted these recordings to exist with such conviction that they’ve been willing to fund it themselves; the result is either a vanity project or something rather special. Steve Warner’s eponymous 1979 debit falls firmly into the latter. Funded by the combination of a bank loan and a council grant from his native Australia, Steve manage to record, produce, mix and manufacture what would be come to be his only recorded output (Steve went onto teach music afterwards - imagine being in that class!). Nick Armstrong at the legendary Spectangle Studios - also where Howard Eynon recorded ‘Jam’ - was there to assist and the album was eventually managed by Tasmanian label, Candle.

      Running to 13 tracks, 11 of which original compositions, this album of delicate folk songs, madcap ditties and more psychedelic orchestrated pieces feels incredibly accomplished for what was basically a one man show. For fans of Dennis Wilson, Roedelius, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Elliott Smith (yes, as far reaching as that). "At the time I would have long dreams about music, but strangely never did I actually hear music in them. I would dream of music in a very abstract sense - it's tension and release, it's inner harmonies, often in a visual or graphic way like an architect might. Lines of stress and of release, tension and slackness, angles between elements, heavy and light, strength and fragility. I used to be fascinated by the grey zone between sleeping and waking, and of finding that place in music.” - Steve Warner, 2015

      TRACK LISTING

      01 Summer
      02 Hey, Hosanna
      03 Lightning Over The Meadow
      04 A Boogie
      05 Rainfall
      06 Charlton
      07 We’ll Go On
      08 Poems In Your Eyes
      09 Fireflies
      10 Momento
      11 Untitled
      12 Crisp Morning
      13 Cement River

      Available on vinyl for the first time, included download code. Inspiring generations of musicians, Scottish guitarist and songwriter Bert Jansch will be forever known as a remarkable talent and a leading figure in the British folk revival. He came to prominence in the 1960s becoming widely known for his exemplary guitar technique and innovative blend of folk, blues and jazz. Later he became a founding member of folk super group Pentangle before returning to his solo career. Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Donovan and Johnny Marr have long been fans. Reaching people far and wide, Bert deservedly received many accolades for his contributions to music including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Radio 2 Folk Awards and a MOJO Merit Award.

      ‘Live at the 12 Bar’ was recorded in 1995 at the legendary London music venue and is a fitting tribute not only to Bert’s virtuosity but to this renowned hub for folk music and other genres. Bert’s meticulous performance brings together songs from ‘When The Circus Comes To Town’, released in the same year, along with the haunting reworking of ‘Blues Run The Game’ (written by Earth’s own Jackson C. Frank) and traditional folk songs ‘Curragh Of Kildare’ and ‘Lily Of The West’ which were staples in Jansch’s repertoire. ‘Live at the 12 Bar’ captures an intimate gig that’s richly brought to life by his spellbinding ability to hold a room. The warmth and reverent silence from fans reminds us of what it was like to attend his shows and the true legend that we have lost. Two decades after its first release, ‘Live At The 12 Bar’ is issued for the first time on vinyl. This exceptional record is the first release in Earth Recordings’ new extensive reissue series of Bert Jansch catalogue. 

      “One of the most innovative instrumentalists of the twentieth century in the folk rock canon” The Quietus.

      Peerless in his consistency of making astonishing records” All Music.



      TRACK LISTING

      1. Summer Heat
      2. Curragh Of Kildare
      3. Walk Quietly By
      4. Come Back Baby
      5. Blackwater Side
      6. Fresh As A Sweet Sunday Morning
      7. Morning Brings Peace Of Mind
      8. The Lily Of The West
      9. Kingfisher
      10. Trouble In Mind
      11. Just A Dream
      12. Blues Runs The Game
      13. Let Me Sing
      14. Strolling Down The Highway
      15. A Woman Like You


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