Record Reviews

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 ~ 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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