Record Reviews
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  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ ACROSS THE AIRWAVES
HUX 087 (Barcode: 682970000879) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1969 - 1974 Released: 2007
Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist was one of the most bizarre phenomena on the UK Folk-Rock scene. Formed in 1966 by two folkies Mike HeronFind albums by this artist and Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist the band carried on until 1974 with ever changing lineups and kept releasing albums and building up a cult status. They were quite unique in their approach to music, expanding the basic folk roots (both UK and US) into Psychedelic and World Music areas as well as Brechtian cabaret. They always preferred experimentation and hippie attitude to music perfection. The band often included members with very limited musical abilities (girlfriends, roadies and dancers) with off-key singing and seemingly sloppy musical approach, but thanks to the extraordinary songwriting by Heron and Williamson it all worked out magically. One might put the ISB in the same camp with other weird Folk-Rock based ensembles like Third Ear BandFind albums by this artist, Tyrannosaurus RexFind albums by this artist or ComusFind albums by this artist. This album is of immense importance as it collects for the first time recordings of the ISB BBC sessions recorded between 1969 and 1974. As with all other matters, ISB approach to their BBC appearances was quite different from most bands. They used the sessions to perform new material, which was mostly not included on any of their albums, therefore making most of the music included here available for the first time. For all ISB fans this is quite a revelation of course and they’ll surely be delighted to put their hands on this album. For people not familiar with ISB output, this is a wonderful opportunity to try them out. Recommended.
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  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ CHANGING HORSES / I LOOKED UP
COLLECTORS` CHOICE 291 (Barcode: 617742029123) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2002
5th and 6th albums by the Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist, one of Britain´s most idiosyncratic representatives of the Folk-Rock and Psychedelic movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Formed by two ex-folkies Mike HeronFind albums by this artist and Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist, the band started out as an acoustic duo performing traditional Folk material, gradually developing their own style and musical approach, which incorporated World Music influences from the Far East, improvisation, mysticism and psychedelia. After recording three albums, the lineup was expanded to include the founders´ girlfriends Rose SimpsonFind albums by this artist and Licorice McKechnieFind albums by this artist and the band used occasional additional musicians at times. In retrospect it´s obvious that the band´s music was way ahead of its time and its very existence was only possible due to the openness prevailing during the Golden Decade. These two albums originate from the band´s most experimental period, where traditional songwriting was almost completely abandoned in favor of lengthy (four of the tracks here click well over 10 minutes) improvised pieces. Although not easy listening, this is exceptional music, which loses none of its inspiration and quality over time. Highly recommended!
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  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES
RHINO 081227972530 (Barcode: 081227972530) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2012
This Box Set collects the first five (or rather four, since the fourth album was a double LP which was also released as two separate LPs in the US) albums recorded by the British Folk-Rock ensemble Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist and released between 1966 and 1968 on the ElektraFind albums on this label label. Originating from Glasgow, Scotland the band started as a trio playing acoustic Folk music and consisted of Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist, Clive PalmerFind albums by this artist and Mike HeronFind albums by this artist. Following the release of the first album Palmer left and the rest of the albums were recorded by the duo of Williamson and Heron. Legendary bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist guests on the second album which also features Williamson´s girlfriend at the time Licorice McCechnieFind albums by this artist. Licorice and Rose SimpsonFind albums by this artist, Heron´s girlfriend at the time, take part in the recording of the fourth (double) album.
The band recorded three more (one of them another double) albums for Elektra and then switched to IslandFind albums on this label Records, recording five more albums for the label before calling it a day in 1974. In total they recorded twelve incredible albums (two of them double) in the span of just eight years, a remarkable achievement by any standard. They also appeared extensively on the BBC, which produced several radio session compilations released later on CDs.
The albums included in this Box Set are a wonderful testimony of the rapid and wondrous development the Incredible String Band from a rather straightforward Folk trio to a Psychedelic, almost Avant-Garde Progressive Fork-Rock ensemble of incredible quality, almost unparalleled by any other act on both sides of the pond. The increasingly complex musical ideas and poetic lyrics are some of the finest examples of the great British Folk-Rock renaissance, which swept the Isles during the Golden Decade.
Folk-Rock fans, who don´t have these albums in their collection, will find this Box Set as absolutely essential, especially the younger music lovers, who missed listening to this superb music while it was happening in real time. The older ones might want to renew these experiences by giving the Incredible String Band another chance, as they were indeed incredible.
Side Note
The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty.
The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations.
In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!
| | Updated: 05/04/2024Posted: | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ TRICKS OF THE SENSES (RARE AND UNRELEASED RECORDINGS 1966-1972)
HUX 100 (Barcode: 682970001005) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1966 - 1972 Released: 2009
This wonderful collection of previously unreleased material by one of the most enigmatic bands of the 1960s / 1970s, Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist, is certainly a major event as far as many fans of the group are concerned, especially in view of the high quality (both sonically and artistically) of the material included. Taken from original master tapes (live and studio) one can find here rehearsal tapes, album outtakes and alternate versions and radio recordings obtained from the WitchseasonFind albums on this label and IslandFind albums on this label labels archives. Spanning the period of 6 years, the material is presented chronologically and reflects the ever changing character of the group. Accompanied by an extensive booklet with informative notes and great photographs, this is a superb example of the dedication and hard work invested by some reissue labels into their products, with the wonderful HuxFind albums on this label label certainly spearheading the pack. An absolute must to any ISB fan!
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  | INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ U
COLLECTORS` CHOICE 288 (Barcode: 617742028829) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2002
5th album by the Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist, one of Britain´s most idiosyncratic representatives of the Folk-Rock and Psychedelic movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Formed by two ex-folkies Mike HeronFind albums by this artist and Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist, the band started out as an acoustic duo performing traditional Folk material, gradually developing their own style and musical approach, which incorporated World Music influences from the Far East, improvisation, mysticism and psychedelia. After recording three albums, the lineup was expanded to include the founders´ girlfriends Rose SimpsonFind albums by this artist and Licorice McKechnieFind albums by this artist and the band used occasional additional musicians at times. In retrospect it´s obvious that the band´s music was way ahead of its time and its very existence was only possible due to the openness prevailing during the Golden Decade. This album (originally a double LP) is unusual even in the broad standards set by the band and it documents the soundtrack of an ambitious stage production ("A Surreal Parable in Song and Dance") put up by the band with pantomimist Malcolm LeMaistreFind albums by this artist and his theatrical group Stone MonkeyFind albums by this artist, an innovative performance involving multimedia, definitely way ahead of its time. The album was recorded shortly after the show was presented on stage in London and New York. The music is truly up to the task and holds water on its own, although if the stage production would have been ever filmed, the resulting (potential) DVD would be sensational. Although not easy listening, this is exceptional music, which loses none of its inspiration and quality over time. Highly recommended!
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  | SLINA ~ 42’00”
GUSSTAFF 2107 ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021
This is the second album by Polish Improvised Music quartet SlinaFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Matylda GerberFind albums by this artist, guitarist Filip ZakrzewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Mikolaj NowickiFind albums by this artist and drummer Stanislaw OlekFind albums by this artist. Synthesizer player Michal SkrzypczynskiFind albums by this artist appears as guest. This time the album presents three tracks, which remain uncredited and therefore assumed to be co-composed by the participating musicians.
The music continues the concept introduced on the quartet’s debut from 2019, which offers a slowly developing musical continuity, building up towards a climax, which sounds like meditation music and requires complete submission and concentration in order to listen to all the detailed performances or alternatively simply ignoring the details and flowing passively on the sonic waves.
Since the musical concept and overall aesthetics of the music are no longer surprising, it does not stir the same sensation the debut managed to create, but on the other hand the conceptual consistency and the attempt to expand it should be appreciated.
The Rock undercurrents, created by the electric guitar, are now even more potent with the addition of the synthesizers, and the music brings fond memories of the British Prog ensembles of the late 60s / early 70s like Third Ear BandFind albums by this artist, early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, ComusFind albums by this artist, Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist and others, which of course emphasizes the “nihil novi sub sole” principle, for those who know their music in depth. Nevertheless, this is still very exciting (despite its intrinsic sluggishness) music, different from most other stuff within the Polish Avant-Garde scene.
Although the slogan of GusstaffFind albums on this label Records, the label that released this album, is “unnecessary music” (no pun intended), this music certainly is quite necessary in every sense and definitely worth being heard,
| | Updated: 22/05/2021Posted: 22/05/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SPIROGYRA ~ A CANTERBURY TALE
CASTLE 1258 ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1971 - 1973 Released: 5050
Although originating from Canterbury, SpirogyraFind albums by this artist is not considered as part of the Canterbury Scene gang. They were a folk / rock or rather an acid / folk group, influenced as much by the British folk music as by the Psychedelic movement of the late 1960’s. Fronted by Martin CockerhamFind albums by this artist, who also wrote all of their material, and including the wonderful singer Barbara GaskinFind albums by this artist, they recorded only three albums: St. RadigundsFind albums with this title (1971), Old Boot WineFind albums with this title (1972) and Bells, Boots And ShamblesFind albums with this title (1973), all included here with additional, previously unreleased material. In retrospect it is quite clear that Spirogyra were one of the most accomplished representatives of the genre, sadly little known in comparison to other similar outfits like Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist or The Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist (to which they were the closest in style). The quality of the material, as well as the truly excellent instrumental work (by additional band members changing from album to album) is amply documented here for us to enjoy. The albums stand the test of time with ease, being as moving and exciting today as they were when originally recorded. For fans of the genre this is an absolute must!
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