Pentangle (band)

The Pentangle was a British folk music ensemble, active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Members included Terry Cox, Bert Jansch, Jacqui McShee, John Renbourn and Danny Thompson. The group was formed in 1967. Renbourn and Jansch were already popular musicians on the British folk scene, with several solo albums each and a duet LP, Bert And John (they also shared a house in London). Although nominally a 'folk' group, the members each shared catholic tastes and influences. McShee had a grounding in traditional music, Cox and Thompson a love of jazz, Renbourn a growing interest in early music, and Jansch a taste for blues and contemporaries such as Bob Dylan. Pentangle's self-titled debut album was released in May 1968. Around this time the group graduated from clubs to halls, including a memorable night at London's Royal Albert Hall. Recordings from that concert formed part of their second album, Sweet Child (November 1968), along with an album of studio recordings. Showcasing the group's eclectic approach (and Jansch's growing songwriting ability), it's generally regarded their creative high point. Basket Of Light, which followed in mid 1969, was their greatest commercial success, thanks to a surprise hit single, Night Flight. The following year, in the wake of similar moves by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention, Pentangle released Cruel Sister, an album of traditional songs that included a 20-minute long version of Jack Orion. The band returned to mix of traditional and original material on Reflection (1971), which also broke their informal 'no electric instruments' rule with Renbourn on electric guitar. The similar Commoner's Crown followed in 1972. Early the following year, however, Jansch left and the group ended. Pentangle reformed in the 1980s, although Thompson and Cox served only briefly before leaving, and Renbourn soon followed. The group recorded several new albums, although perhaps inevitably these did not have either the commercial or critical success of their earlier work. Pentangle still exists today, although McShee is the only original member in the group.