
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.