Incredible String Band

The Incredible String Band was arguably one of the most engaging groups to emerge from the esoteric 1960s. Basically the duo of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, their sound was comprised of haunting Celtic folk melodies augmented by a variety of Middle Eastern and Asian instruments.

In the late 60s, the ISB became major players on the burgeoning underground scene, sharing bills with the likes of Pink Floyd at London's UFO club and acquiring cult status with the cognoscenti after the 1967 release of their album, '5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion'. John Peel soon became a big fan and was quick to get them to record sessions for his BBC Radio 1 shows.

The Incredible String Band adopted an adventurous approach to their BBC radio sessions, using them to try out new, non-album material or radically rearrange older songs, encompassing a remarkable variety of instrumentation and genres.

This double CD contains 13 previously unreleased recordings and has been compiled and released with the full co-operation of the band.

The accompanying 24 page booklet includes rare photographs, comprehensive liner notes and a full BBC sessionography, plus an additional note from Mike Heron and lyrics to several of the featured songs.

"An absolutely indispensable record from the wealth of ISB session material that survives… there are some genuine masterpieces" - Record Collector (4 stars)

"The sheer stylistic range of the material hare is astonishing… marvellously detailed liner notes" All Music Guide



 

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CD 1

1. Bright Morning Stars
2. Worlds They Rise And Fall
3. Spirit Beautiful
4. Willow Pattern
5. Turquoise Blue
6. Whistle Tune
7. Darling Belle
8. You've Been A Friend To Me
9. I Know That Man
10. The Old Buccaneer
11. Black Jack David
12. The Circle Is Unbroken
13. Fine Fingered Hands *
14. Everything's Fine Right Now *
15. Raga Puti *
16. Empty Pocket Blues *


CD 2

1. All Writ Down *
2. Dust be Diamonds *
3. Theta *
4. Beautiful Stranger *
5. Won't You Come See Me *
6. Oh Did I love A Dream
7. Secret Temple *
8. Rends-Moi Demain
9. Dreams Of No Return
10. Jane
11. Dear Old Battlefield
12. Log Cabin Home In The Sky
13. 1968
14. Hangman's Medley
15. Ring Dance *
16. Long Long Road *
17. Living In The Shadows *

* = previously unreleased recordings

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