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on track...The Incredible String Band
The Incredible String Band evoke love and devotion to all those who fall under their spell. Their world is not ours, but a land of mythical creatures and fey beings.
This book looks at all their recorded output from their first album which saw the turning point from the mix of old time American music and Scottish dance tunes to the first steps in songwriting, through albums which still remain a legendary reputation, 5000 Spirits and The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. Looking at their increasingly eclectic instrumentation and fantastical songwriting, there is also fresh look at the slightly lesser known albums that followed and the later version of the band that moved steadily towards the rock mainstream before imploding in 1974. There is also a look at the albums that appeared when the band briefly reformed in the 21st century and a run through the best of the posthumous live albums and compilations of unreleased material.
The band went from major success to cult status. They suffered mockery in the punk period to finally becoming a highly respected band, whose albums still sell steadily to this day. This book will follow that journey and examine every stop along the way.
This book looks at all their recorded output from their first album which saw the turning point from the mix of old time American music and Scottish dance tunes to the first steps in songwriting, through albums which still remain a legendary reputation, 5000 Spirits and The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. Looking at their increasingly eclectic instrumentation and fantastical songwriting, there is also fresh look at the slightly lesser known albums that followed and the later version of the band that moved steadily towards the rock mainstream before imploding in 1974. There is also a look at the albums that appeared when the band briefly reformed in the 21st century and a run through the best of the posthumous live albums and compilations of unreleased material.
The band went from major success to cult status. They suffered mockery in the punk period to finally becoming a highly respected band, whose albums still sell steadily to this day. This book will follow that journey and examine every stop along the way.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2021
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About the author
Tim Moon
31 books294 followersTIM MOON is a writer and avid hiker from Washington State, where he also attended Washington State University. Tim is a lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy and primarily writes in those genres. He loves to travel, go backpacking, play with his dog, and watch movies. Tim moved to South Korea to teach English and wrote Dead Islands (re-titled Dead Apocalypse), book one of the Necrose Series. Tim currently lives in China with his beautiful wife.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 2, 2021
It is good, in this year of 2021, to read a book about the Incredible String Band, who made their last album in 1974. On track...The Incredible String Band by Tim Moon does what it promises on its front cover, that is, it covers every album, every song by the Incredible String Band, from the first album they made in 1966 to the last one they made in 1974. I bought the book because it is about what I like about the Incredible String Band, that is, their songs. Anyone who likes the Incredible String Band, and it is, of course, for them, would enjoy reading this book.
"I hear that the emperor of China used to wear iron shoes with ease."
That is the first line of Waltz of the New Moon, written and sung by Robin Williamson on The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, the third album by the Incredible String Band, released in 1968.
"Even the birds when they sing, it's not everything to them."
That is the first line of Puppies, written and sung by Mike Heron on Wee Tam and The Big Huge,
the fourth album by the Incredible String Band, also released in 1968.
Such lines drew me to Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, the two main members, singer-songwriters of the Incredible String, who I saw three times in concert in my home city of Liverpool, England, between the years of 1968-1970.
I found Tim Moon's book interesting, and enjoyable to read. He writes well, in a friendly manner. He keeps to his promise of writing about every song recorded by the Incredible String Band, and concludes his book with a history of what happened to them after they broke up in 1974. He is a musician himself, so he is able to write with some authority on the musical structure of each song, and the instruments used to create them, the "voice sitar" heard in Invocation by Robin Williamson on the album, U, for example, and he makes interesting observations on their lyrics, too. I agree with him when he calls Wee Tam and the Big Huge by the Incredible String Band their crowning achievement. When I saw them on stage in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, they performed many of the songs from that wonderful, generous album, and it has remained my favourite by them. A good book to read, then, for anyone who loves their songs.
"I hear that the emperor of China used to wear iron shoes with ease."
That is the first line of Waltz of the New Moon, written and sung by Robin Williamson on The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, the third album by the Incredible String Band, released in 1968.
"Even the birds when they sing, it's not everything to them."
That is the first line of Puppies, written and sung by Mike Heron on Wee Tam and The Big Huge,
the fourth album by the Incredible String Band, also released in 1968.
Such lines drew me to Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, the two main members, singer-songwriters of the Incredible String, who I saw three times in concert in my home city of Liverpool, England, between the years of 1968-1970.
I found Tim Moon's book interesting, and enjoyable to read. He writes well, in a friendly manner. He keeps to his promise of writing about every song recorded by the Incredible String Band, and concludes his book with a history of what happened to them after they broke up in 1974. He is a musician himself, so he is able to write with some authority on the musical structure of each song, and the instruments used to create them, the "voice sitar" heard in Invocation by Robin Williamson on the album, U, for example, and he makes interesting observations on their lyrics, too. I agree with him when he calls Wee Tam and the Big Huge by the Incredible String Band their crowning achievement. When I saw them on stage in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, they performed many of the songs from that wonderful, generous album, and it has remained my favourite by them. A good book to read, then, for anyone who loves their songs.
August 26, 2021
I first came across the music of the Incredible String Band in 1967 but I probably did not become a fan until 1970. I bought all their LPs except two and when their albums were re-issued on CD I bought them all even the two which I did not like! This is a fascinating read dealing with every track on their original albums. I don't agree with all the author's views but he does write well. There are a couple of typos and a few occasions when I think the author has got things factually wrong but these are only minor quibbles. If you like the music of the Incredible String Band then this is well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews