The Guitar of Bert Jansch

Bert Jansch was one of the most influential and unique guitarists emerge from the British folk music scene of the sixties. His influence can be traced in the playing of Neil Young, Jimmy Page, Johnny Marr, and countless others. Over the course of nearly fifty years, he produced a prodigious body of work, as a solo guitarist, singer, and songwriter, as a member of the seminal "folk-baroque" band Pentangle, as a duo with his equally revered friend John Renbourn and in a variety of other ensemble situations.

In this DVD, we explore a representative selection from the folk, traditional, and blues segment of his guitar arrangements, ranging from simple early folk guitar settings like "Running From Home" to his most iconic, sophisticated, and original accompaniments(e.g., Reynardine, Black Waterside). These are carefully arranged little gems, and his virtuosity as a guitarist allowed him to have a very specific and beautifully wrought arrangement while still showing an ability to create a number of subtle variations which occurred in his recordings over the years. 

Rolly Brown first heard Bert's playing in the mid-60s, and has been a fan ever since. For this project, Rolly pored over much of the available video and recordings, using the modern technology of "slow-down" software to clarify heretofore elusive details in Bert's playing. Along with basic arrangements, Rolly discusses variations, introductions, and endings where appropriate.

144 Minutes