The Incredible String Band were one of the more unusual bands of
the 1960s/1970s. They had a huge "cult" following including the
Beatles and the Rolling Stones and, very clearly, Led Zeppelin.
Their music was quite unique, moving from a pure folk beginning
through to a more experimental and "psychedelic sound, no doubt
helped by certain substances. They were amongst the pioneers of
world music with Mike Heron's sitar playing adding an eastern
element while Robin Williamson's collections of "exotic" instruments
added some more unusual sounds to the picture. They played the
Woodstock Festival in 1969 although their below-par performance was
omitted from the final film and soundtrack and has only recently
been officially released.
The songs varied from mystical stories to short, more commercial, pieces
although to call them "pop" would be a bit too far. Subjects included clouds,
hedgehogs, amoeba, caterpillars, minotaurs and more. Most songs were written by
Robin Williamson or Mike Heron although Rose Simpson's replacement, Malcolm
LeMaistre, contributed a few over the later LPs and there were a small number of
collaborations.
Tim Moon's book analyses the breadth of the Incredible String Band's work in
chronological order of the albums they were on. The few singles the band
released are not included separately as they appeared on the albums. The
analysis is not too detailed which makes the book much more readable. The
information about each song makes very interesting reading alongside listening
to the album and is accessible enough for even the casual listener to
understand. More hardcore listeners will prefer the analysis of certain songs
included in BeGlad magazine (increasingly available on-line at
www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad) or in the BeGlad compendium.
Author Tim Moon is clearly a big fan and there is passion in the song
descriptions. However, this does not obscure critical analysis. Some songs are
far more accessible than others, some are seen as self-indulgent, some are
clearly influenced by the band's then immersion in scientology. Quite simply,
there is a breadth of output from this legendary band and Tim Moon's work will
help listeners understand the songs. The reader and listener will then be in a
position to emulate Robert Plant and "follow the instructions."
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