Incredible String Band coming to Bloomington

[ghost of miles]

Anybody else a fan/follower of this late-1960s British folk group? They were quite an influence on the Beatles circa '68... they're coming to the Bluebird here in Bloomington on Oct. 19, and I'm probably going to go see them, having been a fan of theirs for the past several years. Supposedly they're playing material only from their first five albums.

[Dr. Rat]

Anybody else a fan/follower of this late-1960s British folk group? They were quite an influence on the Beatles circa '68... they're coming to the Bluebird here in Bloomington on Oct. 19, and I'm probably going to go see them, having been a fan of theirs for the past several years. Supposedly they're playing material only from their first five albums.

God. Look at the miles these guys are putting in!:

Incredible String Tour a atngled web they weave.

--eric

[paul secor]

After reading this thread, I was moved to get out a couple of ISB recordings and give a listen. I had the same reaction as I'd always had. At first, I enjoyed the music as something unique. Then, after a few tunes, I started to feel as if I was listening to something more clever than real.

I know that some of this is my fault. There are some artists that I just can't connect with emotionally, and I find that, for me, if there's not an emotional connection, there's little or no connection. For example, I've never been able to connect with the Beach Boys or Brian Wilson. Even when I was in college and they were in their prime, they just didn't do it for me. I remember telling a friend who was a big Beach Boys fan that, for me, they were just "chrome and cotton candy."

What I meant was that they sounded to me like all surface and no substance. I know that a lot of people here are into Brian Wilson, and I respect that. I also know that part of the reason that I can't connect with his music lies with me. Another friend, some years later, told me, "You're too serious." My first response was to reply, "And you're too frivolous." I'm glad that I didn't say that, because my response would have come from meanness, and her comment was just a way of telling me that I should lighten up sometimes.

I've rambled on, but in the end I find that I can enjoy the Incredible String Band in small doses before they start to wear on me. If I had more of a light and easy side, I'd probably enjoy them a lot more and have more of their recordings in my collection.

And for all of that, if they were playing in my town, I'd definitely go to see and hear them.

P.S. - Robin Williamson's cassettes of Celtic tales and stories (unfortunately, according to his website they're all out of print) are a whole other story - GREAT STUFF! Hear them if you have the chance.

Edited October 3, 2004 by paul secor

[paul secor]

Robin Williamson on ECM. Wouldn't have thunk it, but I just checked his website and there they are. Didn't know they existed until you posted, so I haven't heard them.

But hey, the Art Ensemble emerged from the sixties and ECM found them, so why not an ISB (ex)member?