Jones, Wizz – “Legendary Me, The ” – [Sunbeam]

ArtCrimes   1/7/2009   12-inch, Country

A reissue of a well-regarded 1970 LP by Wizz Jones, one of the several 1960s-era British acoustic guitarists who mixed traditional selections, some original material, and international influences into their playing. Wizz Jones might be the least known of those players in the US, compared to Bert Jansch and Roy Harper, certainly. For the traditional selections, he drew from American sources, Rev. Gary Davis among them. What’s somewhat unique in his case is that he did quite a bit of original material, but it wasn’t his own… he largely relied on songs written to order by his associate, the visual artist Alan Tunbridge (whose guitar appears on the front cover), and these songs aren’t so much folk as introspective explorations, a bit like what the Incredible String Band sometimes pursued. Jones’ voice is not terribly distinctive, but his playing is well considered and not so ornamental as the other British players. The spare production adds discreet electric guitar and bass from time to time, and fellow folkie Ralph McTell provides some atmospheric support on harmonium. Both Wizz and Alan are around today, but only Wizz is still making music. (crimes)

Plenty more on Wizz here: http://www.wizzjones.com/
and
http://www.terrascope.co.uk/MyBackPages/Wizz_Jones.htm