The Incredible String Band — Live At The Filmore 1968
This new cd release features a recording of the last date in the bands summer 1968 tour, & fittingly the band finished off their tour in San Francisco- which of course was the epicentre of the hippy movement at the time, which The Incredible String Band where a major musical figures with-in. The set offers up a great snap-shot of the band at the height of their musical powers, as they effortlessly unfold their distinctive & often quirky song craft that mixed together strains of: Celtic folk, twanging world music taking in Middle Eastern and Asian instrumentation, hippy folk, and all manner of other genre traits such as touches of gospel music, reggae & beyond.
Like many live recordings this started off life as fan bootleg, which travelled through the ISB’s fandom as a many times copied tape, and later as a CDR. So as a result the recording has become some what of a legendry & much respected live recording- as it was taken at the height of the bands popularity & their musical apex. The album takes in a selection of tracks from the bands key & important albums: The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter and Wee Tam & The Big Huge.
For the most part the recording is surprisingly clean & clear, so you can make out each of the bands often quirky instrumental & vocal layers. The album has received a 24-bit re-master, and it almost sounds like it could have been recorded yesterday….not forty five years ago!.
The CD comes with a 8-page booklet that features a one page write up from key band member Robin Williams about the time. And a selection of write-ups about the venue, the concert & it’s context with-in the bands history/ out-put- by various ISB experts & band connected personal.
It’s difficult to select favourite moments here, as really it’s a perfect set showing all sides of the bands sound at the time. It’s fair to say “Live At The Filmore 1968” is one of the better & more consistent live albums your likely to come across. And while it’s not really the best place to start with in the wonderfully distinctive sonic world of The Incredible String Band, it certainly will be very much enjoyed & cherished by those who are already have some familiarity with the project.