Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Instead of Brit acolytes like Bernard Butler and Johnny Marr, for this latest album Bert Jansch collaborates with American nu-folk stars such as Devendra Banhart and Otto Hauser, the brilliant drummer of Espers and Vetiver. The injection of new talent works wonders, bringing a new freshness to the band tracks which prompts Jansch to be on his mettle on solo numbers like "Hey Pretty Girl"; and especially on "The Old Triangle", a version of the traditional "Banks Of The Royal Canal" that's as stately as a Royal Barge. Hauser is a towering presence on the band tracks, laying delicate, detailed rhythms behind Jansch's guitar and the lead lines of Kevin Barker, Paul Wassif and David Roback. Jansch's songwriting is at its best and its worst here, with "Texas Cowboy Blues" displaying too facile a contempt for Bush's oil baron chums; but the solicitous mea culpa of "High Days" is much more considered, as a Tim Hardin song triggers memories of happier times: "You played your guitar, but you never finished the song/It didn't matter then, and I guess it doesn't matter now".
DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Banks Of The Royal Canal', 'Katie Cruel', 'The Black Swan', 'High Days'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments