Shannon Road

A piece by Katie Spencer for Bert Jansch

Recorded in Bingley, West Yorkshire
July 2021

Katie says: ‘Shannon Road’ is an autobiographical memory song, just like many of Bert’s were snapshots in time. Bert’s songs carry a lot of honesty, and I find that really moving. Shannon Road in Hull was the place where my Grandma lived for most of her life. I have very fond memories of spending time with her there, and I wanted to capture that feeling within this song. The small instrumental sections that come around in ‘Shannon Road’ were directly inspired by Bert’s music. His passion and quietly stunning technique really sing from his guitar, and I am always in search of that feeling when writing my own songs.”

Ralph McTell has said “Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song.”