Alan Stivell In Concert; The Bert Jansch Conundrum In Concert; Dave Van Ronk In Concert; John Renbourn & Stefan Grossman In Concert

These four new releases in the Ramblin' music video series of concerts taped at Ohio University offer a wide variety of musical styles and instruments. Alan Stivell features Stivell on Celtic harp and Bernard Coutelan on guitar performing traditional tunes from Brittany, Ireland, and Wales, many sung in their native tongue. Songs include: "Close to the Island," "Homm Liges'," "The Three Knights," "Foggy Dew," and "The Cider Song." The Bert Jansch Conundrum, an excellent trio featuring guitarist Bert Jansch, co-founder of Pentangle; violinist and mando-cellist Martin Jenkins; and bassist Nigel Smith perform a series of choice cuts ranging from the satirical "Poor Mouth" (about the potato famine) to the lovely instrumental piece "Bittern." Other songs include: "Daybreak," "Ask Your Daddy," "Black Waterside," and "Alimony." Dave Van Ronk, a legendary figure that first appeared in Greenwich Village during the late 50s, and eventually helped to spearhead the folk revival of the 60s, is a powerhouse. A big man, Van Ronk also has a big voice, and he's liable to make you jump out of your seat once or twice on his fervent rendition of "He Was a Friend of Mine." Combining concert footage with taped segments of Greenwich Village (including Van Ronk's voiceover commentary about the evolution of the neighborhood), the program adds a bit of history to the music. But it's the music that really hits you, and guitarist Van Ronk belts out wonderful versions of "Stackerlee," "God Bless the Child," "Candyman," "Cocaine Blues," and "Song to Woody." A virtuoso performance by a man who was there at the beginning. John Renbourn & Stefan Grossman is a guitar music lover's treat, pairing, as it does, two of the finest acoustic players around. Opening with the rather interestingly titled "The Shoes Of The Fisherman's Wife Are Some Jive Ass Slippers," the tape features a couple of duets followed by solo performances, first by Grossman and then by Renbourn, concluding with the pair playing together again. Highlights include the intricate "Tightrope," "White House Blues" (about the assassination of McKinley, and originally considered a happy song), "Goodbye Porkpie," the jazz standard "Candyman," and the multi-layered complexity of "Spirit Levels." No doubt about it, this is quality ear candy. All four titles are highly recommended. Dave Van Ronk in Concert and John Renbourn & Stefan Grossman in Concert are Editor's Choices. (See HOW TO PLAY BLUES GUITAR for availability.)