The Hermit
Studio album by John Renbourn
Released 1976
Recorded 1976
Genre Folk
Length 38:39
Label Transatlantic
Producer [uncredited]
The Hermit is a 1976 album of instrumental guitar music by John Renbourn who was a member of the group Pentangle.
Professional Ratings:
allmusic 3/5 stars
Review by Bruce Eder of allmusic:
John Renbourn's first post-Pentangle (or nearly post-Pentangle) solo album, joined briefly by fellow guitarist Dominique Trepeau and featuring further contributions by John James, is one of his most beautiful recordings, and also among his most spare guitar instrumentals. Some of the material is drawn from lute and harp sources, and it is ear-opening to hear some of the more familiar pieces among the latter (such as "O'Carolan's Concerto") transcribed for guitar, but Renbourn isn't above adapting themes from television commercials, either. The mood of much -- though not all -- of The Hermit is one of serious introspection, as Renbourn stays generally within a classical guitar mode. He has fun with the material, and the CD booklet also includes musical transcriptions of some of the tunes on the record, for the benefit of Renbourn's fellow guitarists.
Review on amazon:
This is one of the best guitar albums of all time... an absolute must. Renbourn is a real pioneer and this album is everything modern steel string guitar is about.
LP track listing
All songs written by John Renbourn except as noted.
Side One
1. "The Hermit" - 3:18
2. "John's Tune" (John James, John Renbourn) - 2:33
3. "Goat Island" - 2:55
4. "Old Mac Bladgitt" - 3:59
5. "Faro's Rag" - 2:39
6. "Caroline's Tune" (Dominique Trepeau) - 3:19
Side Two
7. "Three Pieces by O'Carolan: The Lamentation of Owen Roe O'Neill/Lord Inchiquin/Mrs. Power (O'Carolan's Concerto)" (Turlough O'Carolan, arr. John Renbourn) - 5:07
8. "The Princess and the Puddings" - 2:02
9. "Bicycle Tune" - 2:21
10. "Pavanna (Anna Bannana)" - 3:40
11. "Medley: A Toye/Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home" (arr. John Renbourn) - 6:46
Personnel:
* John Renbourn - guitar
* John James - guitar
* Dominique Trepeau - guitar