The music of the young British folk scene in the early 1960s owed more to modern America than to shaggy native tradition. “Guitar achievement was measured by being able to play blues like Bill Broonzy and fingerpick like Rambling Jack,” recalls Renbourn in his notes for this jumble of demos and live recordings. It’s a warm (and well-recorded) evocation of an era when bohemian cellars rang with Candyman and Cocaine and nascent guitar heroes such as Renbourn, Bert Jansch and Davey Graham (both featured) competed for songs and tunings. Assembled just before his death in March, its 20 tracks make a rich tribute to Renbourn’s dazzlingly intricate style (try Rosslyn) and wry character.
