That said, Mike is aware of and pleased with the site, and the many fan regards are now being passed onto him.
Hi all,
I'm afraid I've been so busy that it's become difficult to maintain this page. I simply don't have the time any more, with recent changes in schedule (what a very non-Incredible String Band thing to say, huh?). That said, I'm willing to hand over the site and the email address it's based upon ([email protected] - somewhat easy to remember, not so easy to type after a few pints) to someone who would have more time to maintain the site and keep a closer tie to this interesting little community.
Anyone interested? Send me a myspace email.
One of the most engaging groups to emerge from the esoteric '60s was the Incredible String Band. Basically the duo of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, its sound was comprised of haunting Celtic folk melodies augmented by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian instruments. Heron was a member of several rock bands in England in the early '60s, while Williamson and Clive Palmer played as a bluegrass and Scottish folk duo. Heron was asked to join as rhythm guitarist, and the trio named itself the Incredible String Band.
The band was spotted at a club by Joe Boyd, who was opening a British wing of Elektra Records. The trio gave Boyd a demo tape of mostly American bluegrass standards with a few original songs, which impressed him more than the standards. The Incredible String Band, released in 1966, featured mostly original numbers enthusiastically played in American and Celtic folk styles. Following the album's release, Williamson spent several months studying music in Morocco, and Palmer left the group to travel to Afghanistan. For the String Band's second album, The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion, exotic touches such as the Middle Eastern oud, Indian sitars, and tambouras began to permeate the group's sound. The band's lyrics also became more whimsical; highlights include Williamson's tale of insomnia "No Sleep Blues" and Heron's amorous "Painting Box."
The press raved about the Incredible String Band, and their next album, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, was the band's brief flirtation with stardom. Although the music was less commercial than its predecessor, the LP reached the Top Ten in the British album charts and was also the group's highest Billboard chart placing in America, reaching number 161. The songs became less structured, as on the opening, "Koeeoaddi There," which changed tempo frequently as it cascaded joyously with sitars and jaw harp. The album's centerpiece, "A Very Cellular Song," was a suite of short pieces sewn together with the folk song "Bid You Goodnight." For Wee Tam and the Big Huge, the Incredible String Band was augmented by Williamson and Heron's girlfriends, Licorice McKechnie and Rose Simpson.
by Jim Powers, Allmusic.com
LINKS
Official Site
ISB Resources
A Good Image Archive
Relics of the ISB
Robin's Label, Pig's Whisker Music
ISB at Yahoo! Groups