Record Reviews

INCREDIBLE STRING BAND ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES RHINO 081227972530 (Barcode: 081227972530) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2012 This Box Set collects the first five (or rather four, since the fourth album was a double LP which was also released as two separate LPs in the US) albums recorded by the British Folk-Rock ensemble Incredible String BandFind albums by this artist and released between 1966 and 1968 on the ElektraFind albums on this label label. Originating from Glasgow, Scotland the band started as a trio playing acoustic Folk music and consisted of Robin WilliamsonFind albums by this artist, Clive PalmerFind albums by this artist and Mike HeronFind albums by this artist. Following the release of the first album Palmer left and the rest of the albums were recorded by the duo of Williamson and Heron. Legendary bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist guests on the second album which also features Williamson´s girlfriend at the time Licorice McCechnieFind albums by this artist. Licorice and Rose SimpsonFind albums by this artist, Heron´s girlfriend at the time, take part in the recording of the fourth (double) album. The band recorded three more (one of them another double) albums for Elektra and then switched to IslandFind albums on this label Records, recording five more albums for the label before calling it a day in 1974. In total they recorded twelve incredible albums (two of them double) in the span of just eight years, a remarkable achievement by any standard. They also appeared extensively on the BBC, which produced several radio session compilations released later on CDs. The albums included in this Box Set are a wonderful testimony of the rapid and wondrous development the Incredible String Band from a rather straightforward Folk trio to a Psychedelic, almost Avant-Garde Progressive Fork-Rock ensemble of incredible quality, almost unparalleled by any other act on both sides of the pond. The increasingly complex musical ideas and poetic lyrics are some of the finest examples of the great British Folk-Rock renaissance, which swept the Isles during the Golden Decade. Folk-Rock fans, who don´t have these albums in their collection, will find this Box Set as absolutely essential, especially the younger music lovers, who missed listening to this superb music while it was happening in real time. The older ones might want to renew these experiences by giving the Incredible String Band another chance, as they were indeed incredible. Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 05/04/2024Posted:

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