Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival

The guitarists’ guitarist and the songwriters’ songwriter, Bert Jansch has been admired by stars as diverse as Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Marr, Bob Dylan and Jarvis Cocker. Others who have recorded his songs, befriended him or acknowledged his influence include: Paul Simon, Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, Marianne Faithfull, Donovan, Pete Townshend, Bernard Butler, Neil Young, Jimmy Page, and Morrissey. Born in Edinburgh in 1943, Jansch became celebrated in the innovative Glasgow/Edinburgh folk and blues community in the late 50s and early 60s. He moved to London in 1965 and became a central figure in Soho’s folk music world. In 1967 he formed Pentangle with John Renbourn and enjoyed international success until 1973, when he turned solo. More recently he has enjoyed a career renaissance, triggered by his 1995 album, When the Circus Comes to Town.