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A Man I'd Rather Be (Part 1)
A Man I'd Rather Be (Part 1)
A Man I'd Rather Be (Part 1)

Bert Jansch

A Man I'd Rather Be (Part 1)

Earth Recordings

EARTHCD023

4CD $35
4LP Black $60
  • Limited edition 4LP/4CD casebound book-back box set
  • 4LP book-back
  • 4CD 24-page hardback book

Description

Comprising Bert’s seminal 1960s output (alongside his only album as a duet with Pentangle bandmate John Renbourn) this four disc set covers an era that forged creative paths for everyone from Neil Young to Johnny Marr. New listening notes from Bill Leader, as well as unseen photographs from Brian Shuel complete this special collection.

Where to start with a career as prolific as that of Bert Jansch? Why, the beginning of course. Bert’s first studio (though as Bill Leader rightly points out, that’s a bit of a stretch) albums capture a man whose star is truly on the rise. It also marks his most prolific period – these four LPs were written, recorded and issued in just two years; a testament to not only Bert’s abundant musicality but to a time for music that was changing – excitedly – from minute to minute. From Bert’s masterclass in elegant, melodic, one-man-and-his-guitar fingerpicking on his self-titled LP, to the beginnings of something altogether more exotic on ‘Bert and John’, these records are nothing if not a remarkable insight into the changing face of folk music at the time.

For those unfamiliar with Jansch’s oeuvre, this is a real treat; you won’t find a more comprehensively produced collection. ‘A Man I’d Rather Be’ includes all the original liner notes (from both Keith De Groot and Bert himself) as well as new ruminations from Bill Leader (who recorded much of Jansch’s nascent work) as well as never-before seen photographs by the illustrious Brian Shuel. For those in the know, this is a chance to revisit these extraordinary albums, revel in new insights and add some – perhaps more listenable LPs – to sit alongside their love-worn originals.

Comprising Bert’s seminal 1960s output (alongside his only album as a duet with Pentangle bandmate John Renbourn) this four disc set covers an era that forged creative paths for everyone from Neil Young to Johnny Marr. New listening notes from Bill Leader, as well as unseen photographs from Brian Shuel complete this special collection.

Where to start with a career as prolific as that of Bert Jansch? Why, the beginning of course. Bert’s first studio (though as Bill Leader rightly points out, that’s a bit of a stretch) albums capture a man whose star is truly on the rise. It also marks his most prolific period – these four LPs were written, recorded and issued in just two years; a testament to not only Bert’s abundant musicality but to a time for music that was changing – excitedly – from minute to minute. From Bert’s masterclass in elegant, melodic, one-man-and-his-guitar fingerpicking on his self-titled LP, to the beginnings of something altogether more exotic on ‘Bert and John’, these records are nothing if not a remarkable insight into the changing face of folk music at the time.

For those unfamiliar with Jansch’s oeuvre, this is a real treat; you won’t find a more comprehensively produced collection. ‘A Man I’d Rather Be’ includes all the original liner notes (from both Keith De Groot and Bert himself) as well as new ruminations from Bill Leader (who recorded much of Jansch’s nascent work) as well as never-before seen photographs by the illustrious Brian Shuel. For those in the know, this is a chance to revisit these extraordinary albums, revel in new insights and add some – perhaps more listenable LPs – to sit alongside their love-worn originals.

Preview Tracklist

  • 1 Strolling Down The Highway
  • 2 Smokey River
  • 3 Oh How Your Love Is Strong
  • 4 I Have No Time
  • 5 Finches
  • 6 Ramblings Going To Be The Death Of Me
  • 7 Veronica
  • 8 Needle Of Death
  • 9 Do You Hear Me Now?
  • 10 Alice's Wonderland
  • 11 Running From Home
  • 12 Courting Blues
  • 13 Casbah
  • 14 Dreams Of Love
  • 15 Angie
  • 16 The Waggoner's Lad
  • 17 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
  • 18 Jack Orion
  • 19 The Gardener
  • 20 Nottamun Town
  • 21 Henry Martin
  • 22 Black Water Side
  • 23 Pretty Polly
  • 24 East Wind
  • 25 Piano Tune
  • 26 Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
  • 27 Soho
  • 28 Tic-Tocative
  • 29 Orlando
  • 30 Red's Favorite
  • 31 No Exit
  • 32 Along The Way
  • 33 The Time Has Come
  • 34 Stepping Stones
  • 35 After The Dance
  • 36 East Wind
  • 37 Piano Tune
  • 38 Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
  • 39 Soho
  • 40 Tic-Tocative
  • 41 Orlando
  • 42 Red's Favorite
  • 43 No Exit
  • 44 Along The Way
  • 45 The Time Has Come
  • 46 Stepping Stones
  • 47 After The Dance