# How Pentangle survived being matched with Led Zeppelin and Cream

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-pentangle-survived-being-matched-with-led-zeppelin-and-cream/
- Published: 2026-11-03T17:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T10:53:19+00:00
- Original publisher: Louder
- Original article: https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/pentangle-basket-of-light
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Pentangle’s chemistry helped make their experimental sound work.
- *Basket Of Light* marked the group’s peak.
- The five musicians brought varied influences to the band.

## Summary

Pentangle’s unusual blend of folk, jazz, blues and classical music helped them rise quickly in the late 1960s, with *Basket Of Light* becoming their acclaimed high point. Singer Jacqui McShee said the group’s success came from the chemistry of five musicians who experimented together and gave each member an equal say.

The band’s roots were in the British folk scene, but their influences ranged much wider: McShee loved jazz, Bert Jansch drew on blues and rock, John Renbourn explored medieval and early classical music, and drummer Terry Cox and bassist Danny Thompson shared a background in jazz and blues. Jansch and Renbourn’s contrasting guitar styles worked together unexpectedly well, while the group’s early days included free performances at London’s Horseshoe Hotel and a lively first trip to New York.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.