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How Pentangle survived being matched with Led Zeppelin and Cream
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.
In short
- 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.
Explained simply
Pentangle were a British band formed in the 1960s, when folk music was reaching wider audiences. Their five members brought different musical backgrounds: singer Jacqui McShee was drawn to jazz, guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn to styles including blues and early music, and bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox to jazz and blues.
The group combined these influences rather than sticking to one genre, with each musician contributing to the arrangements. Their approach helped them stand out as British rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Cream were also attracting attention, and made *Basket Of Light* a defining album in their career.