I'm Still Waiting

Back Again, the incredible 1995 semi-Incredible String Band Convention, was held on the 12th November in the Kennedy Suite of Camden Irish Centre, with a bemused portrait of JFK looking down on proceedings. The seventies brutalism of the surroundings was enlivened by some beautiful graphics of leaping sprite musicians from Deena, who organised the convention with Adrian Whittaker.

A smaller convention than before - perhaps because of a decision to concentrate on the lesser-known ISB members - attended by approximately 52 people, it had a family atmosphere - Clive Palmer's first wife danced with his second wife in the aisles. A relaxed and informal coming together of like-minded souls.

The bill kicked off with the Half-Remarkable Questionnaires (aka Kate Green and the Taproot String Band), which did creditable cover versions of: Maya, Empty Pocket Blues (for the first time that evening), Log Cabin Home in the Sky, Air, Jigs & Reels and Cold February. (can anybody remember any more?) and got everyone into the spirit of the thing by passing round their extensive collection of Tibetan bells, triangles and strange tinkly things. Normal, sensible grown-ups suddenly regressed to their "Music and Movement'" days and sang along lustily, without too much prompting.

The Taproots are: Kate and Raymond Green and Patrick Walker (not the dead astrologer!), based in Sheffield, they are available for birthdays, christenings, barmitzvahs, and - because they know their market- imbolc, sahmain and equinox celebrations!

Malcolm Le Maistre took some time off from his theatrical pursuits to come and perform at the convention, much to everyone's delight. He dedicated My Father was a Lighthouse Keeper to his recently-deceased father, adding that his father had never worked near the sea. Always an endearingly vulnerable performer, he took the audience into his confidence: "I haven't done this one for ages, I'm a bit rusty," he mumbled sheepishly, as he tripped over the microphone cable, before launching into a poignant rendition. Accompanied by Pete Baynes, he followed this by a selection of animal songs by his theatrical alter-ego Victor Noberscefski, whom he describes as a 'central European illusionist'. Also, included in his set was Down Before Cathay.

Malcolm is currently involved with a music-based drama group called self-explanatorily, "Environmental Arts". Environmental Arts recently produced A Pine and the Eagle, a dramatic environmental journey through 8,000 years of Scottish natural history. They are hoping to get a grant from Scottish National Heritage to perform the drama all over Scotland. Another project which Malcolm is involved with is Animals with Attitude which is currently being recorded. (More details of this when we have it.)

Clive Palmer followed hot on Malcolm's heels. Still recognisable from the original cover of the Incredible's first album, Clive's impossibly blue eyes sparkled as he played a selection of bluegrass banjo tunes, accompanied by his wife Gina (she of the dancing in the aisles fame!) on the violin. My particular favourite was Empty Pocket Blues (I know that feeling!) and an instrumental, Niggertown, both from the first Incredible String Band album.

Clive's well-crafted musicianship was much appreciated by his fans, who got quite over-excitable at the fact that they were witnessing the elusive man actually playing live on stage!! Clive's wandering life has taken him from London, to Scotland (Guess why!), Afghanistan, Cornwall (where he met up with Gina) onward to deepest France. Clive and Gina live in a lovely old house in Brittany and this was their first gig in Britain in ages.

Since "splitting" the Incredibles "scene", in a quaint, old fashioned sixties way, Clive has played with various bands, including Clive's Own Band, which has an enthusiastic hardcore of aficionados. (More details of Clive's bands to follow in the next few months).

After the gig, Clive sat smiling dazedly to himself, while his two wives and many old friends chattered brightly around him. Everyone else got their instruments out, started jamming and sang many of the same songs all over again. Just for the fun of it.

Aileen Cameron