U

Delivered like brand new.

Some have said that this is a really flawed work; that it is indulgent and overlong. I don't agree with any of these views. And it's also not true that Mike Heron didn't contribute as much as Robin Williamson (the compositions are split evenly). Perhaps the only slightly weak song is Bad Sadie Lee, which wasn't even written by the Incredible String Band, and although it's very slight, it's still quite fun. As suggested, Robin's finest moments are 'Queen of Love', 'Juggler's Song' (a classic psychedelic number: 'something to blow your mind away') and 'Invocation'. Mike's finest moment is the ten minute piano ballad, Light In Time Of Darkness, which is truly exquisite, and unlike other String Band recordings. The first CD is probably stronger than the second CD, but both are very strong. Overall, it's more satisfactory than the two previous albums (Changing Horses and I Looked Up). It's not a total masterpiece like The Big Huge or The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, but it is one of their richest and most satisfying albums.

ISB music was always borderline “Made as a bag of spanners”, but “U” took this carefree attitude to their craft to a whole new level. There was so negativity from the press around this project, I was expecting some kind of self-indigent jazz-fusion freak-out, but instead" U" is a delightfully melodic, at times a little silly, hugely enjoyable collection of song ideas. Because the album was recorded in two days, some of the tracks are a little under-developed, but that just adds to the bizarre charm of the thing. For myself, after “The 5000 Spirits…”, “The Hangman's..”,” Wee Tam and the Big Huge”, “U” is ISB's next strongest record, I’d just wished I hadn’t waiting so long to buy the album.

Wonderful album

.....I only wish there could be a video released of this as I consider it -I many ways- perhaps the culmination of ISB performance....

Fantastic group and artists

The Incredible String Band were rather left behind in the rediscovery of the sixties by subsequent generations until just a few years ago, when forgotten corners of their back catalogue finally got a CD showing. It began to look as if they would be remembered only for the handful of songs that others had recorded (Judy Collins, the Delgados). The band were nothing if not hard working and prolific, and this double album was their third release in under a year. The material on "U" is all entirely new, with the exception of Robin Williamson's Invocation, which had debuted at the previous year's Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. It is untypical in that it represents "a surreal parable in song and dance concept by Incredible String Band and Stone Monkey", neither entirely musical performance, dance or theatre, and clearly missing two of its dimensions in audio format. Stone Monkey were a kind of Indian street theatre fused with far eastern mask puppetry, according to Robin Williamson's liner notes. It would not, therefore, be the ideal first purchase for someone wishing to discover the band ( Wee Tam or 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion might be more suitable). Some of it is clearly dispensable, but an anthology of their work would be woefully inadequate if it did not include a few songs from this set. In particular, Queen Of Love, with a beautiful arrangement by the Grateful Dead's Tom Constanten, is one of their finest recordings. More Robin Williamson's project than Mike Heron's, both nevertheless contribute some quality stand-alone songs, with partners Janet Shankman and Licorice McKenna also providing a couple of lighter numbers. Joe Boyd's production and John Wood's engineering skills belie the fact that it was recorded over 48 hours straight in San Francisco ("straight" may not be entirely the most appropriate word), whilst drummer Dave Mattacks is on hand to inject some needed structural discipline to proceedings. Recommended for those who know what to expect, perhaps with a skip button at the ready.

This was the fruits of a self-financed "experience"-a surreal parable in dance and song,said Mr Robin Williamson in 1970. It briefly ran in London & America for a combined total of about 3 weeks before the money ran out. Unfortunately the critical brickbats still haven't! Allegedly knowledgeable music critics still call it a elf or even self indulgent mess. Yeh, I saw the stage shore and it WAS chaotic, but had its' moments. The music, however, had a lot more & still does. It does suffer from too many long tracks. Some(such as El Wool suite) are really just incidental music and some(Rainbow) are just plain indulgent. But some(Queen of Love,Bridge Song & Light in Time of Darkness)are sublime. Apart from which,Juggler's Song,Time & Robot Blues are Mr Williamson in prime mystical form & Astral Plane Theme in a tricky textured instrumental guise. As for Mike Heron, forget the lightweight tag-Light & Bridge Song are his and great efforts,not to mention Hirem Pawnitoff,which retains its' humour this far on in time. Though NOT up to the standard of 66-68, this IS still essential listening,so no excuses, friends, ignore the self-styled experts and treat yourselves!