Search - Pentangle :: Basket of Light

Terrible Sound Quality on DVD-A Version

PJ Cain | Minneapolis, MN | 05/29/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

""Basket of Light" is a classic Pentangle album (on artistic merit, I would give it four stars), but if you want to hear this music, buy the standard CD and avoid this DVD-A at all costs. I have heard several different releases of these recordings over the years (LP, various CD releases, and now this DVD-A), and I'm very disappointed to say that the Silverline DVD-Audio version sounds TERRIBLE! The tonal and dynamic range is flat, dull, and lifeless -- a shock since the music on the standard stereo CD sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Contrary to Silverline's claim, the music has NOT been remixed into "stunning 5.1 surround sound," it has merely been electronically processed to add fake echo and fake room dynamics. The standard CD in 2-channel stereo sounds more "surrounding" than the DVD-A! Of the 50+ multichannel DVD-As and SACDs that I own, this is by far the worst sounding, and it is the only one that I regret buying."

Classic Progressive Folk Rock Recording!

Carl Johnson | Detroit, MI United States | 02/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pentagle is one of the first "progressive" folk/rock ensembles. Jaqui McShee's voice with Bert Jance & John Renborne's guitar, coupled with the other fantastic folk players on this record still moves me today. This is less in the traditional folk realm then much of the following records each did separately, or in separate groups. This was recorded in 1971 and the rock sound from the late sixties was still relatively new. Strong folk and band jam trends on this record. This recording stands on it's own. Fantastic spin!"

Third-best Pentangle Album

Craig Weatherby | Waltham, MA USA | 10/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The sound on this CD--which is not the DVD-A version the other review trashed--is great. Sweet Child is their best album, with Pentangle second, but Basket OL boasts several great tracks--more than on subsequent albums, which had too many stiff covers of trad folk songs, and often lacked the band's trademark jazzy/bluesy approach. That said, they are all worth having for true Pentangle/Renbourn/Jansch fans."