I was introduced to the marvels of Bert Jansch in high school by my guitar teacher, who noted, in an apparent effort to pique my interest, that he was Jimmy Page's favorite guitarist. At the time, Jimmy Page was indeed my favorite guitarist. Now, 20 years later, Bert Jansch is.
Nobody has ever played like him - the reckless violence with which he plucked those strings, all his guitars must have cowered in fear. I can't recommend his early albums enough - both before and after Pentangle. A special man from a special place and time, and he knew it. A huge loss.
