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Tricks of the Senses (2009)
2009 two CD compilation containing unreleased and rare Incredible String
Band material from their Island Records archives. Tricks Of The Senses is a
fascinating alternative history of this band. The accompanying 28 page
booklet features exhaustive liner notes, including a detailed story about the
background to this project. Also featured are several rare photographs and
full lyrics to many of the songs. 16 tracks. Hux Records.
A product of remarkable archaeological-strength sleuthing, this double CD
has 16 rare and unreleased Incredible String Band recordings from 1966 to
1972. The 95 minutes of material draw primarily from studio outtakes, but
also include a May 1968 radio show in New York, a couple live performances
from April 1970, and even a home recording from October 1966. Yes, this is
primarily for the major ISB fan; some of these are alternate takes/versions,
and none of the songs would have been hailed as major highlights of the
albums on which they might have been included. Yet at the same time, none
of them would have stuck out as especially ill-fitting or weak sore thumbs had
they made the cut, making it a pretty enjoyable listen if you like the group,
though the numerous eras and lineups represented also ensure that it's not
the most consistent listen. Aside from the lo-fi October 1966 rehearsal tape
of the band (then just the duo of Robin Williamson and Mike Heron) doing
Leadbelly's "Relax Your Mind," the fidelity throughout is quite good, and the
territory covered -- as should be no surprise for those even casually familiar
with the Incredible String Band -- very eclectic.
On disc one alone, there's the ISB's own version of "Lover Man," a song
covered on Al Stewart's first album; an alternate take of one of their better-
known late-'60s tunes "The Iron Stone"; a Williamson poem "The Head,"
previously only known via the inclusion of its lyrics on an LP insert; and an
impressive live 13-minute radio version of "Maya," sitar and all. On disc two,
there's "Queen Juanita," a 16-minute suite cut for (but not used on) I Looked
Up; "Secret Temple," a fetching, wistful 1972 outtake with the mysterious
Licorice McKechnie on lead vocals, previously available only as a BBC
recording; "Poetry Play Number One," a mere six-minute multi-part epic of
sorts in a 1971 piece to accompany a mime play; pleasantly meditative
Williamson-penned folky instrumentals; and relatively straightforward, stirring
folk-rock in the alternate version (with an additional verse) of "All Writ Down."
There are even a couple songs (represented by live recordings) from their
somewhat notoriously extravagant on-stage epic U that didn't make the
corresponding double LP. Characteristically for almost any album billed to the
Incredible String Band, there are liberal traces of world music, Indian music,
American old-timey sounds, psychedelia, and other unpredictable influences
embellishing the haunting British folk at the core of their sound.
The liner notes are extremely thorough in documenting the origins of the
material, down to the extent of sidebars containing meticulous explanations
as to how the recordings were discovered and restored. It's true that neither
this nor another Hux double-CD ISB release, Across the Airwaves (of BBC
recordings), could be considered among the group's most essential
recordings. Yet each are way above average as archival projects dedicated
to the margins of a significant act's work, and the label deserves high
commendation for assembling and packaging them with extreme loving care
that is vital to filling out dedicated fans' appreciation of the ISB's large body
of material. ~ Richie Unterberger
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TrackList:
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(CD1)
01. (00:02:55) Incredible String Band - Relax Your Mind [Rehearsal Tape]
02. (00:02:52) Incredible String Band - Lover Man
03. (00:07:41) Incredible String Band - All Too Much for Me/Take Your Burden to the Lord/Let It Shine on Me
04. (00:06:46) Incredible String Band - Iron Stone [Alternate Take]
05. (00:04:00) Incredible String Band - Head [Us Radio Session]
06. (00:07:40) Incredible String Band - Douglas Traherne Harding [Us Radio]
07. (00:05:00) Incredible String Band - See All the People [Us Radio]
08. (00:12:59) Incredible String Band - Maya [Us Radio]
(CD2)
09. (00:03:21) Incredible String Band - Penwern
10. (00:05:39) Incredible String Band - Ratto [U Live]
11. (00:02:43) Incredible String Band - Long Long Road [U Live]
12. (00:05:19) Incredible String Band - All Writ Down [Alternate Version]
13. (00:16:24) Incredible String Band - Queen Juanita
14. (00:05:24) Incredible String Band - Poetry Play, Pt. 1: Flute Tune/The Archers/Man Swimming/Faery Tune/Look
15. (00:04:37) Incredible String Band - Secret Temple
16. (00:01:42) Incredible String Band - Curlew
Playing Time.........: 01:35:06
Total Size...........: 501.00 MB (FLAC)
Total Size...........: 178.00 MB (MP3)
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