SOLOMON'S SEAL

While it's hard for me to get enthused about the somewhat tight-lipped and dated folk rock of PENTANGLE, it's also hard for me not to acknowledge their timeless tastefulness, not to mention their plucky playing, Jacqui McShee's gorgeous voice, and did I mention Danny Thompson's delectable double bass?

I guess where I have the most trouble is in listening to trad tunes here that were done so much better by my favourites - "Sally Free and Easy" which sounds sloppy in comparison to the prior ALAN STIVELL version, and "Higher Germanie" and "Willy O'Winsbury", which are so similar but finally inferior to what CLANNAD would accomplish a few years later, albeit piggybacking on but then finally pummeling PENTANGLE's achievements. That Irish family was often accused of being too tight lipped and restrained, but PENTANGLE were the originals to take this to a high art, for better and worse.

Each track gets a guarded seal of approval, even the country-ish "Jump Baby Jump" adorned with charming harmonies and the psychedelic country of "Lady of Carlisle", I am as reserved as the group as far as glowing recommendations go, especially to prog fans but even to those who are looking for adventurous and emotional British Isles folk rock. I wouldn't start here unless you are a chronological purist.