John Renbourn: The Complete 1978 “Guitar Player” Interview

This podcast presents the complete audio of my 1978 interview with John Renbourn. This was my first in-person interview for "Guitar Player" magazine, done several weeks before Eddie Van Halen asked me to do his first interview. Talking to John in person was a thrilling opportunity for me. Ever since I first heard his magnificent "Sir John A Lot" album in the late 1960s, he’s been among my favorite guitarists. To this day, scarcely a week goes by when I don’t listen to at least one or two of his songs.
A contemporary of Bert Jansch and Davey Graham, John began his acoustic guitar journey in the early 1960s. His superlative technique and unique stylistic fusion of British folk music with elements of pre-Renaissance fare, modern jazz, ragtime, skiffle, classical, and American country blues music led to his becoming one of Great Britain’s foremost fingerstyle guitarists. His solo albums of medieval-style contrapuntal playing, his duets with Bert Jansch and Stefan Grossman, and his five years’ work with Pentangle all share the same characteristics: innovative, lyrical playing executed with a finesse that makes his style instantly recognizable. What an extraordinary player!
Our interview took place in the Berkeley, California, home of ED Denson, co-founder of Kicking Mule Records, on the morning of June 1, 1978. Before we got started, John, in his typically gracious way, cooked me breakfast.
I hope you enjoy this unique recording, and be sure to check out the other historic interviews on the Talking Guitar TH-cam channel. (Here's a link to the one with Bert Jansch, who John speaks about during our interview: h • Bert Jansch: The Compl... )
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Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for enhancing the sound of the 45-year-old master tape. For dozens more guitar-intensive podcasts, interview transcripts, and articles, visit Talking Guitar magazine at jasobrecht.sub.... #johnrenbourn #pentangle #guitarplayermagazine #bertjansch
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