Black Swan

Magnet - "Jansch's blend of traditional folk forms, exotic rhythms and contemporary lyrical concerns is built for the long haul." Mojo - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[H]is strongest album in years....'The Black Swan', augmented by the cello of Espers' Helena Espvall, is a beautiful, evocative piece of music..." Uncut - 4 stars out of 5 -- "With that much-admired but hard-to-emulate guitar technique and a dark, cracked voice that's weathered well, Bert Jansch continues to thrive outside the dictates of time and fashion." Entertainment Weekly - "Jansch's solo numbers make it clear that his nimble acoustic picking and rueful musings need no accompaniment..." -- Grade: A- CMJ - "Jansch's exquisite acoustic fretwork on Brendan Behan's prisoner song 'The Old Triangle' and an original, 'High Days,' show why this master impresses Jimmy Page." Spin - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Jansch himself delivers understated but heartfelt messages of dissent and hope for the post-9/11 epoch." Rolling Stone - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Jansch integrated traditional blues, raga modes, jazzy phrasing and the psychedelic nerve of the British folk revival in a dynamic, orchestral style of fingerpicking."

After over forty years in the business, the cult Brit folk artist hailed as a seminal influence by many of today's rock and folk stars returns with this first album for Sanctuary. Hailed in the music press as "a phenomenal achievement" and "his strongest album in years", this set exhibits the trademark dark, brooding and intricate compositions for which he is justly famed. Produced by Noah Georgeson (Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom), it features guest spots from Jansch acolytes Banhart and Beth Orton.|