The Guitar of John Renbourn [Import]

The Guitar of John Renbourn [Import]

Track Listings

1. Swallow Flight

2. Light Traveller

3. Reflections (1)

4. Reflections (2)

5. Freedom Road

6. Introspection

7. Passing Time

8. Portrait of a Village

9. Summer Song

10. Glastonbury

11. Little Hands

12. Deserted Streets

Tracks:

Bunyan's Hymn (Monks Gate)
When The Wind Begins To Sing
Wexford Lullaby
I Saw Three Ships/Newgate Hornpipe
Planxty Llanthony/Loftus Jones
Fagottanz
At The Break Of Day
Travellers' Prayer
South Wind/Feathered Nest
Estampie

Amazon.com

A lion of British folk music, guitarist John Renbourn has journeyed further back into his Renaissance and pre-industrial roots since his late '60s tenure as one of the driving forces behind the adventurously jazz-inflected Pentangle. Traveller's Prayer finds Renbourn on busman's holiday, casting the album reportorial net west toward Ireland. Chamber-folk settings marry his reliably elegant, lyrical guitar with gentle tattoos of hand percussion, lovely skeins of fiddle, and stately yet concise blooms of wind instruments including clarinets, recorder, uilleann pipes, and whistles. By now, Renbourn can make his underlying erudition sound offhand, mingling Irish planxties, folk songs from both edges of the Irish Sea, Scottish airs, and his own chameleon originals into a seamless, timeless fabric by turns earthy, courtly, and always lovely. Two haunting vocal interludes ("Wexford Lullaby" and the title song) arranged for a lovely mixed quartet, yield a gently haunting whole that will appeal as much to new age and Celtic music fans as his own hardy cadre of British folk loyalists. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

A fleet-fingered elf plucking notes of grace.......2004-02-11

It's hard not to lean heavily on the adjectives when trying to convey just how fine "Traveller's Prayer" sounds. John Renbourn, as venerable and talented as any acoustic guitarist, has crafted a collection of traditional material drawn from English and Celtic traditions, but arranged and interpreted in a fresh, at time delicate manner.

Many critics have rightly praised this collection, perhaps without pausing to listen to the nuances and subtleties that shimmer and shine. The interplay of guitar, flute, fiddle (not too much fiddle), percussion, recorder, whistles, and voice creates an elemental essence, as though the music is transformed into a sweet smoke. Mr. Renbourn shines thoughout, a fleet-fingered elf plucking notes of grace.

A wealth of skilled guests accompany Mr. Renbourn, who in his unassuming way even includes all-vocal tracks.

The excellent liner notes explain how these sessions came to be, what Mr. Renbourn set out to, and did, accomplish, and what history accompanies each selection.

Part balm, part joy, "Traveller's Prayer" will ease the road before you or brighten your hearth. Share this CD with your quieter friends.

Familiar Territory.......2003-03-15

John Renbourn has been working in early music for over thirty years, and it's clearly territory with which he's familiar. The music on this recording displays a profound understanding of early music arranging and performance. The work is not overorchestrated; for such complex music, it's very easy to listen to. "Wexford Carol," sung by Mairead Ni Domhnaill, is a wonderful slow melody that stays with the listener. "Traveller's Prayer," a choral piece, revisits the closing cut on Renbourn's "Ship of Fools" recording, and added voices and a key-change make this already-impressive arrangement shine still more. As usual, Renbourn's guitar playing is impeccable; he sets a very high standard for playing this music.

Travelers Prayer.......2001-10-27

The English aren't known for for their cooking, exquisite lodging or other comforts. However the thousands of years of blending medevil, and other classic types make their traditional music unique. Especially when done by an interpreter like Renbourn. Very nice.

Doesn't change, but keeps getting better.......2000-12-28

John Renbourn's style and choice of material has hardly changed since the late 1960s, but his basic starting point is so flexible and--musical--that he still finds new directions to move in. In some respects "Traveller's Prayer" very much resembles in format, material and forces the other small ensemble projects he has been involved in as group leader (specifically, three or four albums as the John Renbourn Group, and one as Ship of Fools), but over his post-Pentangle years he has managed to slowly but surely remove from his music one of its very few weaknesses, a tendency toward over-tension (i.e., being just a bit too tightly wound). "Traveller's Prayer" is totally relaxed, totally balanced, and fully musical--without lacking an appropriate dose of tension and drama in the right places. And we are still offered some real gems of straight virtuostic play on the old 6-string. For those who are unfamiliar with Renbourn, this is the best place to start--though they should be alerted that his catalog is at this point quite extensive, including in addition to the items mentioned several duet albums with country blues master Stefan Grossman, the early Pentangle albums, and over half a dozen solo and small forces albums extending from the mid-60s through the early 90s. The good news is that every one of them is worth getting: Renbourn has never made a bad, or even mediocre, album.

*Beautiful* acoustic music.......2000-07-16

Traveler's Prayer is a personal favorite, with tasteful renditions of traditional favorites (I Saw Three Ships, Bunyan's Hymn, At the Break of Day - known to me as Be Thou My Vision) and original melodies powerful in their simplicity and clarity. This recording has always impressed me for it's production values, best realized on a quiet evening with no interruptions.

The Essential: The Best Of John Renbourn

Average customer rating:

before "going medieval": early-period Renbourn recordings
Uh....Renbourn isn't dead, Griff Jones...
Renbourne is missed !
Solid Album. Enjoyable.
good sampler

The Essential: The Best Of John Renbourn
John Renbourn
Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Traditional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00000856X
Release Date: 1998-02-05

Tracks:

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Hermit
White House Blues
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Train Tune
Cant Keep From Crying
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Lord Franklin
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Album Details

Tracks Include: The Hermit, White House Blues, Country Blues, Train Tune, I Know My Babe, Debbie Ann, Piano Tune, So Clear, Lord Franklin and More.

Customer Reviews:

before "going medieval": early-period Renbourn recordings.......2006-06-16

This is indeed a CD one can listen to all day, or at least all morning. Unlike classics "Maid in Bedlam" or "Lady and the Unicorn," this collection brings together early recordings more North American sounding than Celtic/Renaissance/Medieval. Lots of blues and ballads, some solo, some with Pentangle, some in tandem with Bert Jansch. From Dock Boggs to Thelonious Monk, from the Anglo-American tradition to Booker T. and the MGS (!), and into some of his own early compositions, this is a relaxing and engaging hour of music. If you have his Renaissance-Faire-oriented recordings, this is different but complementary; if you've never listened to Renbourn before, start here and work your way into the mid-seventies and beyond: he's still a most amazing fingerstyle guitar magician.

Uh....Renbourn isn't dead, Griff Jones..........2003-05-31

...physically or artistically. I just saw him do a show with Jacqui McShee in Seattle a week ago (May 2003). But- anyway, Renbourn fans- enjoy this one. I hope Renbourn will put out a live album with some of the material he's been doing for the past 10 years or so.

Renbourne is missed !.......2003-02-15

John Renbourne was probably one of the most influencial folk-blues guitarists to emerge from the sixties. His ability to combine traditional classical formats with folk-blues made him the envy of the new sixties acoustic revolution. This album offers a wonderful mix of styles and demonstrates his instrumental versitility leaving us in no doubt that he will always be missed.

Solid Album. Enjoyable........2001-09-04

This is one of those albums I can listen to all day. I'll mention that song (1), Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, is also found on the Pentangle album "Sweet Child". Song (19) "Sally Go Round the Roses" is on "Basket of Light". It's nice to hear Jacqui McShee on this album as well. She is also on (17), "Will the Circle be Unbroken", a hauntingly simple rendition that is captivating.

good sampler.......2000-10-06

The other reviewer's words notwithstanding, much of the material on this sampler is *not* from the pre-Pentangle period of John Renbourn's career (i.e., circa 1965-1967) but instead from "Sir John Alot," "Faro Annie," and others that were produced during (and even after) his Pentangle years. But these are just details. What you do get here is a broad sample of material from Renbourn's first seven or eight years of recorded music, and it's a good sample that shows just how effective he is at taking material from diverse sources and putting his own personal stamp on it. Renbourn is a real virtuoso performer, but his approach never lacks musicality or warmth. I can't ever remember getting a negative reaction from anyone I played John Renbourn material for.

Average customer rating:

Could hardly be happier with this Cd

The Guitar of John Renbourn
John Renbourn
Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0007W0KLU
Release Date: 2005-04-18

Tracks:

Swallow Flight
Light Traveller
Reflections (1)
Reflections (2)
Freedom Road
Introspection
Passing Time
Portrait of a Village
Summer Song
Glastonbury
Little Hands
Deserted Streets

Album Description

First ever CD recording of this rare 1977 library soundtrack album from the one time Pentangler. Features the songs 'Swallow Flight' & 'Portrait Of A Village'. Castle Music. 2005.

Album Details

Throughout his Illustrious Musical Career, John Renbourn Has Continued to Challenge Both Himself and his Listeners. This Historic First Commercial Release of a Long-hidden Gem "The Guitar Artistry of John Renbourn" Offers Fans a Rare and Privileged Insight Into the Creative Process. The Album is a Little-known Collection of Library Soundtrack Music Commissioned for Keith Prowse Music in 1976 When John Renbourn was Immersed in a Fascinating Exploration of the Acoustic Guitar. Drawing Upon a Body of Thought-provoking Tunes which have Continued to Fascinate the Guitarist, the Collection Allows Us the Opportunity to Eavesdrop on a Master Musician at Work. Library Music is Recorded Especially for Use in Film, Television and Radio. Instrumental Pieces of Varying Length, Tempo and Mood Are Recorded, the Titles Often Sketching a Mood Or Feeling; Film-makers Can Then Choose Appropriate Music to Enhance their Scenes.

Customer Reviews:

Could hardly be happier with this Cd.......2007-01-04

I thought that I was purchasing another fine Renbourn solo guitar CD....It really should be titled "Duets with J Renbourn's Guitar"

This music was recorded just before the "John Renbourn Group" was formed so parts have the same pre-renaissance, trad-folk flavor, but no repeated material. There is plenty of Tony Roberts' beautiful Flute on this CD with a bit of tabla and clarinet...reminissent of his early days with a pastoral/like jazz. Jacqui McShee does some background scat vocals on 2 cuts where her voice is used as just one more instrument.
Unfortunately the Album design could not be any more bland & banal. But the music is much more than I bargained for.

[This should be a 5 star rating , but I was not allowed to correct it.]

Average customer rating:

Live in Italy
John Renbourn
Manufacturer: Castle Music UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Album Description

A memorable live gig recorded in 1989 at Rome's intimate venue the Folk Cellar, from one of the father figures of the contemporary folk scene. Never previously issued in the UK and now featuring liner notes from David Suff. Beautiful music from a man who has few peers (except through the window of the ladies' changing room, of course). Castle Music. 2006.

Album Details

Ex-pentagle Singer/Guitarist John Renbourn is Acknowledged as One of the Father Figures of Contemporary British Folk. Long Sought-after by the Folk Maestro's Many British Fans, this Superb In-concert Set Finally Makes Its First Appearance in the UK. It Showcases the Famed Guitarist and Singer in an Intimate Venue in Rome, Performing Classic Gems from Such Albums as "Sir John Alot" and "Ship of Fools".

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Voyage of the Dunbrody

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Where I'm from

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A Top Ten CD of 2005 by New Age Reporter

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ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
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Release Date: 2004-12-21

Customer Reviews:

A Top Ten CD of 2005 by New Age Reporter.......2006-01-13

Named the number 7 CD for 2005 by New Age Reporter, Meadow Run brings you lots of pastoral beauty. You might not think a steel-string guitar could transmit the beauty, warmth and spirit of the natural world to you, but it does. The artist is a forester and -- again -- has translated her experiences in the woods into a musical trek through the woods everyone can enjoy.

Mellow and invigorating all at once, this album is great for background music or intense listening. The extra special treat on the album is a track playing on a baroque lute. What a lovely, throaty sound that instrument has!