The Lost Broadcasts are a series of DVD sets featuring performances that have rarely been seen since the original transmission on German television, in some cases more than forty years ago. Some of the artists featured within the series are legendary and these 'lost' performances will be a fine addition to any music fan's collection. The series covers a number of styles and genres; however, all of the performances are of a high calibre.
The Incredible String Band was a psychedelic folk band that formed in 1966 and continued until 1974. The original band came together when Robin Williamson and Clive Palmer recruited Mike Heron into the band and the band took up residency at a folk club run by Clive Palmer called Clive’s in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, in early 1966. It was then that band christened itself The Incredible String Band.
The trio recorded their debut self-titled album for Elektra records in 1966 and the album won the Melody maker Folk album of the year award that year. Shortly after, however, Clive Palmer left the band. Heron and Williamson decided to continue as a duo, however, and the band's next album The 5,000 Spirits or The Layers of the Onion won universal critical acclaim and is still revered to this day as an important release. The duo was augmented on this album by Pentangle bassist Danny Thompson and Williams’s girlfriend Christina 'Licorice' McKechnie. McKechnie would go on to be a full-time member of the band alongside Williamson and Heron.
Further albums followed, including The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter and the double album Big Tam Wee Huge, both of which were released in 1968. The band commanded respect amongst its peers and also had a commercial success, which no doubt led to them being included in the line-up for the Woodstock festival in 1969.
The band released their final album of the sixties in November 1969 entitled Changing Horses. The band continued into the seventies, releasing albums such as I Looked Up and U, both of which were released in 1970. Be Glad For The Song Has No Ending was also the title of a film of the same name and was the bands first for Island Records.
The music, however, was changing and the band was now moving more towards the mainstream rock approach. The band's final album before splitting in 1974 was Hard Rope and Silken Twine released in March 1974. The footage featured on this DVD package comes from a performance filmed in September 1970 and features three songs: Irish Gigs and two songs from the bands most cherished period, Empty Pocket Blues from the band’s self-titled debut album and Everything Is Fine Right Now from 5,000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion.
Licensed courtesy of Joe Sweetinburgh / Impressive Records Consultants LLP at: impressiverecs@btinternet.com
