Al Stewart had seen both Jansch and Anne Briggs perform "Blackwaterside" at the coffee bars in early 1966, before either one of them had recorded the song. Then in June 1966 Stewart did a session with Page and taught the song to Page (according to Stewart).
By the way, Jansch claims that he got the song from Briggs, who claims that she got the song from a traveling Irish folk singer named Mary Doran. However, this is almost definitely wrong. Jansch's version is actually a note-for-note copy of a 1962 version by Isla Cameron.
I always thought it was ironic that the Bert Jansch fans have criticized Page for copying Jansch, yet no one ever criticizes Jansch for copying Isla Cameron.
Isla Cameron's version is acapella. "Blackwater Side" is a traditional song. If Jansch had renamed the song and credited it to himself it would have been considered sneaky. The point in question is this: did Jimmy Page knowingly copy Jansch's guitar part for Blackwater Side and credit himself with its creation? Answer: Yes. Did Bert Jansch copy Blackwater Side and try to pass it off as his own? No - he openly performed a version of a song he knew from his 'scene' and credited it as 'traditional'.
Discrepency over Black Mountain Side / Blackwaterside claims
in Led Zeppelin Master Forum
Posted
Isla Cameron's version is acapella. "Blackwater Side" is a traditional song. If Jansch had renamed the song and credited it to himself it would have been considered sneaky. The point in question is this: did Jimmy Page knowingly copy Jansch's guitar part for Blackwater Side and credit himself with its creation? Answer: Yes. Did Bert Jansch copy Blackwater Side and try to pass it off as his own? No - he openly performed a version of a song he knew from his 'scene' and credited it as 'traditional'.