L.A. Turnaround

L.A. Turnaround
Studio album by Bert Jansch
Released	September 1974
Recorded	c. April–June 1974 at Luxford House, Sussex and Sound City, Sepulveda, California; plus two tracks c. early 1973 from CBE Studios, Paris
Genre	Folk rock/Country rock
Length	49:21 (reissue)
Label	Charisma
Producer	Mike Nesmith / Danny Thompson
Bert Jansch chronology
Moonshine (1973) L.A. Turnaround (1974) Santa Barbara Honeymoon (1975)

L.A. Turnaround is the ninth album by Scottish folk musician Bert Jansch, released in 1974.

Background

After the demise of Pentangle, Jansch recorded the album in Tony Stratton-Smith's home in Sussex and in a studio in California. It was produced by Michael Nesmith with the exception of two of the tracks (“Chambertin” and former bandmate John Renbourn’s “Lady Nothing”) which were recorded in Paris a year earlier. A short film was produced during the sessions in Sussex.

Other guest musicians include Klaus Voorman (bass guitar), Red Rhodes (pedal steel guitar), Byron Berline (fiddle, mandolin) and Jesse Ed Davis (guitar).

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

In his review for Allmusic, critic Thom Jurek wrote of the album, "The album was hailed at the time as an exemplary work, and its reputation certainly holds in the 21st century... the set walks through a lush garden that stands between the traditional English folk that Jansch had mastered and a sort of easy-breathing country-rock. Simply put, this is one of Jansch’s masterpieces, and a singular type of album in his long and storied career."^[1]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Bert Jansch; except where indicated

1. "Fresh as a Sweet Sunday Morning" – 3:57
2. "Chambertin" – 4:04
3. "One for Jo" – 2:28
4. "Travelling Man" – 2:47
5. "Open Up the Watergate (Let the Sunshine In)" – 2:40
6. "Stone Monkey" – 3:10
7. "Of Love and Lullaby" – 2:28
8. "Needle of Death" – 3:24
9. "Lady Nothing" (John Renbourn) – 2:32
10. "There Comes a Time" – 2:38
11. "Cluck Old Hen" (Traditional) – 3:10
12. "Blacksmith" – 3:30

2009 Remaster

Same as the original LP release, with the following bonus tracks:

1. "Open Up the Watergate" (Alternate Version) – 3:38
2. "One for Jo" (Alternate Version) – 3:10
3. "The Blacksmith" (Alternate Version) – 3:39
4. "In the Bleak Midwinter" (Christina Rossetti) – 2:25

Personnel

• Bert Jansch - guitar, piano, vocals
• Michael Nesmith - guitar
• Red Rhodes - steel guitar
• Byron Berline - fiddle, mandolin
• Klaus Voorman - bass
• Danny Lane - drums
• Jesse Ed Davis - guitar
• Jay Lacy - guitar
• Michael Cohen - electric piano

Production

• Producer: Michael Nesmith/Danny Thompson
• Recording Engineer: Jean-Louis/Ron Nevison
• Mixing: unknown
• Photography: unknown

References