One of the seminal figures of the British mid-‘60s folk scene, Bert Jansch was both an accomplished guitarist and a revered master of both traditional and contemporary roots idioms. This superb concert, recorded in the summer of 1995 at London’s 12 Bar, showcases those strengths succinctly and without any embellishment, putting the focus exactly where it ought to be—specifically, on Jansch’s deft fretwork and on his rich, sonorous vocals. Even on his own, he conjures up an atmospheric sound that’s both haunting and harrowing at the same time. Opening track “Summer Heat” offers one of the best examples, but the lovely “Curragh Of Kildare,” the vibrant blues of “Come Back Baby” and “Trouble In Mind,” and his haunting take on Jackson C. Frank’s classic “Blues Run the Game” all testify to his taste and talent. His dexterity and acumen are showcased to consistently good effect, especially on the album’s two instrumentals, “Betts Dance” and “Blackwaterside,” the latter an obvious influence on a young Jimmy Page. A singular talent, Jansch cast a wide net and offered inspiration to scores of young guitarists who followed in his wake. This particular performance makes it all too clear exactly why.