Bert Jansch – Rosemary Lane (Transatlantic 1971)

‘Rosemary Lane’ was Jansch’ sixth solo album, and one of his very best. The album is fully acoustic and has a wonderful, slightly medieval atmosphere that is easy to get totally lost in. And that is something I do on a regular basis. Of course, Jansch (R.I.P.) was an incredible guitar player, but here he plays it simple. The songs are all that counts on this album, and what songs! The album opens with ‘Tell Me What Is True Love?’, which is simply a touchingly beautiful song. The album is full of haunting vocal melodies like that, and all are sung by this legend. Yes, his voice may not be for everyone, but it’s just so fitting for the music you’ll find here – sparse and deeply felt melancholy folk (no rock here). Jansch had a voice that made Nick Drake sound like an ecstatically happy person, and I love it. Every song is a little gem on this album, but personally I have a soft spot for ‘A Dream, A Dream, A Dream’ (probably about a love long lost, but a love that still lingers on), his renditions of the traditionals ‘Reynardine’ and ‘Rosemary Lane’, as well as the aforementioned opener. This is a perfect album to immerse oneself in – preferably when alone and in a reflective state of mind. Wonderful and timeless stuff.