BASKET OF LIGHT

1. "Light Flight" (3:19) delightful "Take Five"-like rhythm-driven weave over which Jacqui gives light performance perfect for the times. The song was even used as the main theme for BBC's first color television series, the popular "Take Three Girls." Wonderful shift in the second half to 7/4 time before returning to the original vocal theme. (9.25/10)

2. "Once I Had a Sweetheart" (4:43) nice slow paced tune with some interesting psych-electric instrumentation (glockenspiel, sitar, rondo background vocals). The weave thickens and feels on the verge of unraveling during the crazy instrumental passage but then is pulled back in order to support Jacqui and the b voxers for the third chorus and fourth part. What a brave composition! (9.25/10)

3. "Spring Time Promises" (4:09) opening with Bert in the lead vocal as the band jazz-folks behind him. Catchy vocal and lyric that could've come from a CARAVAN album. (Never heard how much Bert's voice sounds like Richard Sinclair as I do on this song.) The song feels so fresh and iconic that I wonder at its popularity and influence on other artists at the time and since. The band just sound so confident and loose that they almost can't help but create great, fresh-sounding music. (9/10)

4. "Lyke-Wake Dirge" (3:36) a vocal-centric song that is constructed (and recorded) as if it were in a church or music hall. Very pretty. If I had the desire/inclination to tune into lyrics it might be even better. (8.75/10)

5. "Train Song" (4:47) after a cool little solo guitar intro, the whole band kicks into a high-flying ride that speeds down the tracks with an innovative vocalise leading the way until the train eventually lifts off into the ether, flying off into the cosmos on the wings of Ms. McShee's floating, sustained notes. Very cool and creative song. (9.5/10)

6. "Hunting Song" (6:44) intriguing use of congas and glockenspiel woven into the rhythmic tapestry of the guitars and bass while Jacqui sings a fairly traditional-sounding ballad, solo, over and above. The inclusion of the "Hey, Ho! Nobody home" melody during the multi-voice vocal rondo weave in the sixth minute (of a hunting song!) is pure genius. This is a song that also seems to preview the arrival and star-making quality of the Annie Haslem-led version of the Renaissance project. (13.5/15)

7. "Sally Go Round the Roses" (3:40) opens like a gentle guitar pickin' song as bass, second guitar, brushed drums, and male and female vocals each enter, on at a time, each after another. John and Jacqui play off each other, taking turns leading over this interesting bluesy-jazzy version of an 1963 Chess Records hit by the band The Jaynettes. The song had already been covered by several other artists--both in America and the UK--but this was it's most high profile version since the original. (8.875/10)

8. "The Cuckoo" (4:30) another traditional English folk song that is receiving a very special rendering by this band of extraordinary artists--including a more modern re-write(!). (8.75/10)

9. "House Carpenter" (5:32) a traditional song whose lyric/story is, for me, detracted from by the loud presence of the banjo and sitar. I would love to hear this in a trio format with just guitar, double bass, and voice. (8.6667/10)

Total Time: 41:00

A very unusual "folk" album in which the progginess is revealed through the unusual time signatures and some very creative and innovative musical ideas and forms. The inventive arrangements of the vocals and rhythm tracks are, of course, greatly augmented by the dynamic bass playing of Danny Thompson on his beloved Victoria, the amazing intuitive interplay between Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, as well as the steadfast and pure vocal performances of Jacqui McShee.

A-/five stars; an essential addition to any Prog Folk loving music collector as well as an excellent addition to any fan of virtuosic instrumental interplay (albeit, herein, mostly acoustic).

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