U

Performer: The Incredible String Band
Producer: Joe Boyd
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Incredible String Band: Mike Heron, Robin Williamson, Rose, Licorice. Conventional wisdom has it that the Incredible String Band had already peaked by the time they released this double-LP soundtrack to their ambitious stage show ("A Surreal Parable in Song and Dance") in 1970. Further, a little of the group -- which could be rather precious -- tended to go a long way. A two-pronged vocal attack, courtesy of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, that leaned toward the whiny and droning didn't help (female vocalists of a more traditional folk bent augmented most recordings, including this one). Therefore, even if U is somewhat underrated, it's still a lot to take in at one time. On repeated exposure, however, what at first seems like overkill starts to make more sense and to have more of an impact as the strongest material rises to the top. At over 15 and a half minutes, for instance, Heron's "Rainbow" may be more "epic" than necessary, but is affecting nonetheless and witnesses the lads (along with euphoniously named girlfriends Rose and Licorice) weaving rock elements into their psych-folk m�lange more successfully than on subsequent efforts -- a bit like the Stones' "She's a Rainbow" by way of Cat Stevens with a little Ravi Shankar on the side. Janet Shankman's "Bad Sadie Lee," on the other hand -- an attempt at old-timey honky tonk from the future Mrs. Williamson -- is an experiment that probably worked better live than on record (yodel, fiddle, banjo, and all). Incidentally, sides one and four are combined on one disc, sides two and three on the other. It seems unlikely that many listeners would have taken the time to play them in sequence (assuming they even noticed), but the problem was rectified with the CD release. The title is depicted on the gatefold cover by a Shankman illustration of two jugglers lying head to head, stockinged legs pointing into the air. That about sums things up -- i.e. those with an aversion to mimes, acrobats, and the like are advised to stay far, far away. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy

Q (9/02, p.126) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Amid the joss stick debris lie robust gems..."

Active from the mid 1960s, godfathers of the British underground psychedelic-folk movement the Incredible String Band mixed folk, Eastern influences, psychedelia, and a loopy, mythology-laced sense of humor. Long time associates of famed folk-rock producer Joe Boyd, the ISB evolved from a trio down to a duo (Robin Williamson and Mike Heron combining to make what is arguably their most successful incarnation) and later expanded to a full band. They sputtered out in the mid 1970s; however, Heron, Williamson, and assorted backing musicians re-formed to play several scattershot reunion shows in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

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