Danny Thompson

Acoustic bassist Danny Thompson has always been perched between folk and jazz, managing to keep a foot in both camps throughout his long association with Pentangle and more recent projects like his duet album with Richard Thompson, Industry. Belatedly released in 1999 (the tapes were apparently found in Thompson's attic!), Live 1967 finds Thompson in the company of a pre-stardom John McLaughlin, who would soon go on to become the most famous British jazz guitarist of the era, and little-known reedsman Tony Roberts, running through a well-chosen set of jazz standards. The set's highlights are a delicate reading of the John Coltrane ballad "Naima" and a gently swinging version of the Miles Davis classic "All Blues," featuring some remarkable flute work by Roberts. (Cheekily, Thompson would soon revisit this familiar tune; Pentangle's "I've Got a Feeling" is simply "All Blues" with lyrics and vocals.) The overall tone is low-key and relaxed, and the sound quality, unlike many similar belated issues, is actually quite good. Really, the only flaw with this set is that at barely 25 minutes, it's far too short. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide