What makes Penguin Eggs by Nic Jones notable?

Penguin Eggs is often hailed as a landmark in the folk genre, influencing countless artists within the revival movement. It received widespread acclaim upon release, being featured in numerous 'best of' lists and later recognized by publications like The Guardian for its significant contribution to contemporary folk music. Released in 1980, Penguin Eggs marked Nic Jones' return to the music scene after a five-year hiatus, following his critically acclaimed album, Nic Jones. At this point, Jones had solidified his place in the British folk tradition, and this album was pivotal in showcasing his unique guitar style and vocal prowess.

How many songs are on Penguin Eggs?

Penguin Eggs has 9 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Penguin Eggs

Nic Jones · 1980

45 min · 9 tracks · traditional folk music

Intricate guitar work intertwines with rich storytelling, creating a tapestry of emotive traditional folk music.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Canadee-I-O — This opening track features an intricate guitar arrangement combined with a haunting narrative that encapsulates the album's thematic depth.
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The Drowned Lovers — A poignant tale set against a backdrop of lush instrumentation that highlights Jones' ability to blend storytelling with musicality.
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Farewell to the Gold — Closing the album, this track showcases Jones' emotive vocal delivery and lyrical poignancy, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

Intricate guitar work and rich storytelling create a compelling folk tapestry, marking it as a significant entry in the genre.

What we noticed

Each song is structured around a narrative, with lyrics that unfold stories in a conversational style, inviting listeners to engage deeply with the content.
The instrumentation often includes layered vocals and subtle harmonies, enhancing the emotional weight of the storytelling without overshadowing the guitar work.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Canadee-I-O 6:00
2 The Drowned Lovers 6:32
3 The Humpback Whale 6:05
4 The Little Pot Stove 5:38
5 Courting Is a Pleasure 5:23
6 Barrack Street 4:29
7 Planxty Davis 2:51
8 The Flandyke Shore 2:54
9 Farewell to the Gold 5:18

What to play next

Listen next

In Search of Nic Jones

1990

Go back to

From the Devil to a Stranger

1978

Full Nic Jones discography Artists like Nic Jones

traditional folk music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata