The Pentangle - Solomon's Seal (1972) [Sanctuary Records CMQCD555]

The sixth and final album by Pentangle's original incarnation was, like the preceding Reflection, a disappointment, if only in relation to the high standards set by the group's first batch of LPs. As on Reflection, there's an expansion into some wider use of electric guitars, sometimes mildly distorted. There's a narrower scope of styles than on Reflection, though not to the band's detriment, as the bandmembers concentrate on the folk-jazz-blues blends that were their greatest strengths, rather than venturing into some different styles at which they weren't as capable. Ultimately, there's nothing seriously wrong with the record, other than a certain complacency and lack of the fiery inspiration and risk-taking that had fueled their greatest previous heights. Divided between group originals and traditional folk songs like "Sally Free and Easy" and "Willy O'Winsbury," none of the individual tracks would rate among their best. Among the better ones, though, are "The Cherry Tree Carol," with McShee's habitual haunted vocals, "The Snows," with its dashes of sitar textures, and "No Love Is Sorrow," with its close male-female harmonies.

Tracks:

1. Sally Free and Easy (Tawney) 3:58
2. The Cherry Tree Carol (Traditional) 3:04
3. The Snows (Traditional) 3:48
4. High Germany (Traditional) 3:18
5. People on the Highway (Cox, Jansch, McShee, Renbourn, Thompson) 4:45
6. Willy O' Winsbury (Cox, Jansch, McShee, Renbourn, Thompson, Traditional) 5:56
7. No Love Is Sorrow (Cox, Jansch, McShee, Renbourn, Thompson) 2:46
8. Jump, Baby, Jump (Cox, Jansch, McShee, Renbourn, Thompson) 3:13
9. Lady of Carlisle (Traditional) 4:43