English Folk - The Incredible String Band -> Wizz & Simeon Jones

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THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND
BERT JANSCH NIC JONES

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Elektra (UK) 60835-2 The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter ● CD $15.98

Robin Williamson and Mike Heron reach the pinnacle of creativity on this, their third album. Their whimsical mixture of traditional folk, rock festival hippy-ness, and a sackful of exotic instruments coalesce into a charming and unique hybrid. They sing lines like "And steal your chrstalised ginger" and "We are the table cloth and also the table..." but generally the lyrics are better. What really makes their music special is the layering of the instruments in odd couplings. Dolly Collins adds flute organ and piano to a couple of tunes. The Minotaur's Song/ Witches Hat/ Waltz Of The New Moon/ A Very Cellular Song/ The Water Song, etc. (AE)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Elektra (UK) 61547-2 The Incredible String Band ● CD $15.98

16 tracks, 45 mins., recommended. Now available as a U.S. release. If any of the current flurry of ISB reissues belongs in every ISB fan's CD collection, this is probably the one. It's the first appearance of the band in 1966, with Heron and Williamson working for the only time with Clive Palmer, who left the band shortly afterward. There's some brilliant young songwriting here, along with rough-hewn, emotionally saturated instrumental and vocal work. You can hear Heron and Williamson feel around for their voices, Robin definitely finding his in Womankind, while Mike retained some strong Dylan influence on The Tree. The band had yet to begin exploring the more exotic instruments, sticking here with guitar, fiddle, flute and banjo, though there's a sitar buzz in Robin's guitar that may or may not have been intentional. Heron's liner notes reflect the happy, hopeful insistence infusing the lyrics some of the most singable of the ISB's prodigious output. (DC)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Elektra (UK) 60913-2 The 5000 Spirits or The Layers Of The Onion ● CD $15.98

CD reissue of the second Incredible String Band album from 1967. Decked out in a fullblown psychedelic cover, reproduced here in miniature, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron's efforts captured many a curious shopper. They were still generally working within the 3 and 4 minute song limit, with a pronounced folk and blues influence although the lyrics are pretty quirky and there's plenty of the beloved sitar and flute of later years. Chinese White/ No Sleep Blues/ Painting Box/ The Mad Hatter's Song/ My Name Is Death, etc. (AE)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Elektra (UK) 61549-2 Changing Horses ● CD $15.98

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND Mooncrest 31 The Chelsea Sessions, 1967 ● CD $14.98

Available again at a reduced price. 13 previously unissued demos discovered in the vaults of Island records. Recorded just prior to their album "The 5000 Spirits" it includes demos of some of the songs that appeared on that album (First Girl I Loved/ Eyes Of Fat/ The Mad Hatters Song) along with songs they hadn't recorded elsewhere (Born In Your Town/ LOver man/ God Dog, etc.)

BERT JANSCH Big Beat CDWIKD 182 Young Man Blues - Live In Glasgow, 1962-64 ● CD $16.98

30 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended Intriguing and invaluable album of live recordings made at folk clubs between 1962 and 1964 of one of the most important and influential folk musicians of the 60s. These predate Berts' first Transatlantic recordings in 1964. Recorded by 14 year old schoolboy Frank Coia the sound quality is not the greatest but Bert's singing and brilliant guitar playing comes through fine. It is clear that the talent heard on his first albums was fully formed years before. The material is a mixture of originals, other contemporary songs and tunes and blues and jazz songs and tunes. Some of them were to later show up on his studio albums but there are also quite a few not recorded elsewhere. Includes Something's Coming/ When Do I get To be Called A Man/ Angi/ Meanest Man In Town/ Bottle It Up And Go/ Stagolee/ Finches/ Blues Run the Game/ I Am Lonely, I Am Lost/ Train On The River/ Gallows Tree and more. 12 page booklet has extensive notes in small type by Jansch biographer Colin Harper and includes some great pictures of Bert from the early/mid 60s. (FS)

BERT JANSCH Castle Music America CMX 535 Birthday Blues/ Rosemary Lane ● CD $11.98

Reissue of Bert's fifth and sixth album from 1968 and 1971 on one CD. Includes Danny Thompson/bass, Ray Warleigh/ flute and Duffy Power/ harmonica.

BERT JANSCH Temple 2035 Sketches ● CD $14.98

On this album he is accompanied by a small group with Pete Kirtley/guitar, percussion & backup vocals; Danny Thompson/ double bass, percussion and chimes and others. Songs, mostly written by Bert, include new ones along with remakes of some of the most famous songs from early in his career. Includes Ring-A-Ding-Ding Bird/ Poison/ Needle Of Death/ Running, Running From Home/ Can't Hide Love/ A Woman Like You/ As The Day Grows Longer Now and others. Bert is in good voice and playing well and the old favorites sound fresh. (FS)

BERT JANSCH & JOHN RENBOURN Shanachie 99006 After The Dance ● CD $14.98

BERT JANSCH CONUNDRUM Kicking Mule 3909 Thirteen Down ● CD $15.98

Reissue of 1979 album, the only album by this short lived group featuring Jansch with Martin Jenkins/vocal, violin, flute & mandocello; Nigel Portman-Smith/electric bass; Fender Rhodes/accordion; and others. Mostly original compositions.

NIC JONES Mollie Music 01 In Search Of Nic Jones ● CD $21.98

12 tracks, 37 mins, highly recommended Nic Jones was one of the brightest lights on the British folk scene in the 70s and early 80s with his rich expressive voice, his incredibly innovative guitar work and his ability to arrange traditional and contemporary songs so they became entirely his own. In February 1982 he dozed at the wheel while returning from a gig and collided with a truck. He barely escaped with his life and was left with multiple broken bones and serious brain damage. As part of the long, slow, recovery process his wife Julia played him tapes of sounds and music including recordings friends and fans had made of Nic informally in concert or in impromptu sessions. Although Nic recorded a number of albums the only available album is his last, "Penguin Eggs" recorded for Topic in 1981. The current owners of his previous four studio albums, in defiance of all logic and decency, have refused to reissue them on CD so Nics' family and friends have culled through the many tapes sent to Nic and have come up with this magnificent, though too short, collection. The emphasis here is on material that was part of Nic's repertoire in the period just before his accident. There are some truly sublime versions of traditional songs like Seven Yellow Gypsies/ Lord Franklin/ Ploughman Lad/ Rose Of Allendale and others which, in spite of their familiarity, Nic makes entirely his own. He also does some fine versions of contemporary songs like Randy Newman's Texas Girl At the Funeral Of her father and Rick Lee's Thanksgiving. There are also, surprisingly, two original songs Ruins By The Shore and Green To Gray which are excellent and thought provoking. On a lighter note there is a delightful and whimsical instrumental version of Teddy Bears' Picnic. Considering the circumstances of some of the original recordings the sound quality is superb. Comes with booklet with notes by Nic and by compiler/good friend Dave Emery along with some recent photos of Nic who is playing again though not performing publicly. A priceless memento of a brilliant performer - one hopes that more issues like this will be forthcoming. (FS)

ENGLAND NIC JONES Mollie Music MMCD 02/03 Unearthed ● CD $29.98

Two CDs, 31 tracks, 119 mins, essential
Second collection of rare club, concert and studio recordings from this utterly brilliant English folk performer whose career was cut short by a near fatal car accident in 1982. This is a two CD set featuring 31 songs and tunes - most of them traditional along with a few more contemporary pieces from Jeff Deitchman, Bob Dylan, Tucker Zimmerman and others including one of Nic's own. Although there are no dates given it sounds like most are from the year or two immediately preceeding his accident since these sides find Nic at absolutely his peak and in spite of the occasional track from less than ideal sources these are every bit as good as his commercial recordings. Nic was a superb and distinctive singer with a warm and intimate style that really draws you into the stories he tells. He was also a dazzling guitarist - although he had technique to spare his guitar arrangements are beautifully conceived to accentuate and underpin the lyrics and never exhibit technique for the sake of technique alone. Only a few of the songs here were recorded commercially and so this is a particularly welcome addition to Nic's discography. Even when he performs a very familiar song like William Of Winsbury or Barbara Ellen he performs it in a totally unique manner bringing them new life. Among my favorites here are truly spine chilling Bonny George Campbell, his exquisite arrangement of Dylan's Boots Of Spanish Leather, the stunning reworking of Clyde Water which is very different to the version on his classic "Penguin Eggs" album and the beautiful (though poorly recorded) Ten Thousand Miles but it's all great. A few tracks are from poor sources but most of it sounds terrific. The enclosed booklet includes reminiscences by Nic. Essential listening for any fan of English folk music. Oh - be sure to leave the Cd player running after the last track on the second disc. (FS)

NIC JONES Shanachie 79090 Penguin Eggs ● CD $14.98

A year after recording this masterpiece in 1980 Nic Jones was involved in a near fatal car accident which effectively terminated the career of one Britain's most talented folk performers. Although he has recovered to a greater extent than was thought possible it is unlikely that he will ever be a professional performer again. Jones was superb - a warm distinctive singer, a brilliant and innovative guitarist and an excellent fiddle player. He also had an unerring knack for picking rarely heard songs (mostly traditional) that subsequently became folk club staples. The opening song Canadee-i-o features some of his most imaginative guitar playing, the almost jaunty performance of the tragic The Drowned Lovers has fine instrumental accompaniments by Tony Hall/ melodeon and Bridget Danby /recorders who appear on several other songs. You won't be able to resist singing along with the chorus on the beautiful The Little Pot Stove and Farewell To The Gold. The intense The Humpback Whale is a dazzling evocation of the life of the whaler while the lovely instrumental Planxty Davis shows a quieter side to Nic's music. Transfer to CD is excellent but it's unfortunate that Topic refrained from adding notes. An essential release. (FS)

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THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND	Elektra (UK) 60835-2	The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter	● CD $15.98
Robin Williamson and Mike Heron reach the pinnacle of creativity on this, their third album. Their whimsical mixture of traditional folk, rock festival hippy-ness, and a sackful of exotic instruments coalesce into a charming and unique hybrid. They sing lines like "And steal your chrstalised ginger" and "We are the table cloth and also the table..." but generally the lyrics are better. What really makes their music special is the layering of the instruments in odd couplings. Dolly Collins adds flute organ and piano to a couple of tunes. The Minotaur's Song/ Witches Hat/ Waltz Of The New Moon/ A Very Cellular Song/ The Water Song, etc. (AE)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND	Elektra (UK) 61547-2	The Incredible String Band	● CD $15.98
16 tracks, 45 mins., recommended. Now available as a U.S. release. If any of the current flurry of ISB reissues belongs in every ISB fan's CD collection, this is probably the one. It's the first appearance of the band in 1966, with Heron and Williamson working for the only time with Clive Palmer, who left the band shortly afterward. There's some brilliant young songwriting here, along with rough-hewn, emotionally saturated instrumental and vocal work. You can hear Heron and Williamson feel around for their voices, Robin definitely finding his in Womankind, while Mike retained some strong Dylan influence on The Tree. The band had yet to begin exploring the more exotic instruments, sticking here with guitar, fiddle, flute and banjo, though there's a sitar buzz in Robin's guitar that may or may not have been intentional. Heron's liner notes reflect the happy, hopeful insistence infusing the lyrics some of the most singable of the ISB's prodigious output. (DC)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND	Elektra (UK) 60913-2	The 5000 Spirits or The Layers Of The Onion	● CD $15.98
CD reissue of the second Incredible String Band album from 1967. Decked out in a fullblown psychedelic cover, reproduced here in miniature, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron's efforts captured many a curious shopper. They were still generally working within the 3 and 4 minute song limit, with a pronounced folk and blues influence although the lyrics are pretty quirky and there's plenty of the beloved sitar and flute of later years. Chinese White/ No Sleep Blues/ Painting Box/ The Mad Hatter's Song/ My Name Is Death, etc. (AE)

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND	Elektra (UK) 61549-2	Changing Horses	● CD $15.98

THE INCREDIBLE STRING BAND	Mooncrest 31	The Chelsea Sessions, 1967	● CD $14.98
Available again at a reduced price. 13 previously unissued demos discovered in the vaults of Island records. Recorded just prior to their album "The 5000 Spirits" it includes demos of some of the songs that appeared on that album (First Girl I Loved/ Eyes Of Fat/ The Mad Hatters Song) along with songs they hadn't recorded elsewhere (Born In Your Town/ LOver man/ God Dog, etc.)

BERT JANSCH	Big Beat CDWIKD 182	Young Man Blues - Live In Glasgow, 1962-64	● CD $16.98
30 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended Intriguing and invaluable album of live recordings made at folk clubs between 1962 and 1964 of one of the most important and influential folk musicians of the 60s. These predate Berts' first Transatlantic recordings in 1964. Recorded by 14 year old schoolboy Frank Coia the sound quality is not the greatest but Bert's singing and brilliant guitar playing comes through fine. It is clear that the talent heard on his first albums was fully formed years before. The material is a mixture of originals, other contemporary songs and tunes and blues and jazz songs and tunes. Some of them were to later show up on his studio albums but there are also quite a few not recorded elsewhere. Includes Something's Coming/ When Do I get To be Called A Man/ Angi/ Meanest Man In Town/ Bottle It Up And Go/ Stagolee/ Finches/ Blues Run the Game/ I Am Lonely, I Am Lost/ Train On The River/ Gallows Tree and more. 12 page booklet has extensive notes in small type by Jansch biographer Colin Harper and includes some great pictures of Bert from the early/mid 60s. (FS)

BERT JANSCH	Castle Music America CMX 535	Birthday Blues/ Rosemary Lane	● CD $11.98
Reissue of Bert's fifth and sixth album from 1968 and 1971 on one CD. Includes Danny Thompson/bass, Ray Warleigh/ flute and Duffy Power/ harmonica.

BERT JANSCH	Temple 2035	Sketches	● CD $14.98
On this album he is accompanied by a small group with Pete Kirtley/guitar, percussion & backup vocals; Danny Thompson/ double bass, percussion and chimes and others. Songs, mostly written by Bert, include new ones along with remakes of some of the most famous songs from early in his career. Includes Ring-A-Ding-Ding Bird/ Poison/ Needle Of Death/ Running, Running From Home/ Can't Hide Love/ A Woman Like You/ As The Day Grows Longer Now and others. Bert is in good voice and playing well and the old favorites sound fresh. (FS)

BERT JANSCH & JOHN RENBOURN	Shanachie 99006	After The Dance	● CD $14.98

BERT JANSCH CONUNDRUM	Kicking Mule 3909	Thirteen Down	● CD $15.98
Reissue of 1979 album, the only album by this short lived group featuring Jansch with Martin Jenkins/vocal, violin, flute & mandocello; Nigel Portman-Smith/electric bass; Fender Rhodes/accordion; and others. Mostly original compositions.

NIC JONES	Mollie Music 01	In Search Of Nic Jones	● CD $21.98
12 tracks, 37 mins, highly recommended Nic Jones was one of the brightest lights on the British folk scene in the 70s and early 80s with his rich expressive voice, his incredibly innovative guitar work and his ability to arrange traditional and contemporary songs so they became entirely his own. In February 1982 he dozed at the wheel while returning from a gig and collided with a truck. He barely escaped with his life and was left with multiple broken bones and serious brain damage. As part of the long, slow, recovery process his wife Julia played him tapes of sounds and music including recordings friends and fans had made of Nic informally in concert or in impromptu sessions. Although Nic recorded a number of albums the only available album is his last, "Penguin Eggs" recorded for Topic in 1981. The current owners of his previous four studio albums, in defiance of all logic and decency, have refused to reissue them on CD so Nics' family and friends have culled through the many tapes sent to Nic and have come up with this magnificent, though too short, collection. The emphasis here is on material that was part of Nic's repertoire in the period just before his accident. There are some truly sublime versions of traditional songs like Seven Yellow Gypsies/ Lord Franklin/ Ploughman Lad/ Rose Of Allendale and others which, in spite of their familiarity, Nic makes entirely his own. He also does some fine versions of contemporary songs like Randy Newman's Texas Girl At the Funeral Of her father and Rick Lee's Thanksgiving. There are also, surprisingly, two original songs Ruins By The Shore and Green To Gray which are excellent and thought provoking. On a lighter note there is a delightful and whimsical instrumental version of Teddy Bears' Picnic. Considering the circumstances of some of the original recordings the sound quality is superb. Comes with booklet with notes by Nic and by compiler/good friend Dave Emery along with some recent photos of Nic who is playing again though not performing publicly. A priceless memento of a brilliant performer - one hopes that more issues like this will be forthcoming. (FS)

ENGLAND	NIC JONES	Mollie Music MMCD 02/03	Unearthed	● CD $29.98
Two CDs, 31 tracks, 119 mins, essential Second collection of rare club, concert and studio recordings from this utterly brilliant English folk performer whose career was cut short by a near fatal car accident in 1982. This is a two CD set featuring 31 songs and tunes - most of them traditional along with a few more contemporary pieces from Jeff Deitchman, Bob Dylan, Tucker Zimmerman and others including one of Nic's own. Although there are no dates given it sounds like most are from the year or two immediately preceeding his accident since these sides find Nic at absolutely his peak and in spite of the occasional track from less than ideal sources these are every bit as good as his commercial recordings. Nic was a superb and distinctive singer with a warm and intimate style that really draws you into the stories he tells. He was also a dazzling guitarist - although he had technique to spare his guitar arrangements are beautifully conceived to accentuate and underpin the lyrics and never exhibit technique for the sake of technique alone. Only a few of the songs here were recorded commercially and so this is a particularly welcome addition to Nic's discography. Even when he performs a very familiar song like William Of Winsbury or Barbara Ellen he performs it in a totally unique manner bringing them new life. Among my favorites here are truly spine chilling Bonny George Campbell, his exquisite arrangement of Dylan's Boots Of Spanish Leather, the stunning reworking of Clyde Water which is very different to the version on his classic "Penguin Eggs" album and the beautiful (though poorly recorded) Ten Thousand Miles but it's all great. A few tracks are from poor sources but most of it sounds terrific. The enclosed booklet includes reminiscences by Nic. Essential listening for any fan of English folk music. Oh - be sure to leave the Cd player running after the last track on the second disc. (FS)

NIC JONES	Shanachie 79090	Penguin Eggs	● CD $14.98
A year after recording this masterpiece in 1980 Nic Jones was involved in a near fatal car accident which effectively terminated the career of one Britain's most talented folk performers. Although he has recovered to a greater extent than was thought possible it is unlikely that he will ever be a professional performer again. Jones was superb - a warm distinctive singer, a brilliant and innovative guitarist and an excellent fiddle player. He also had an unerring knack for picking rarely heard songs (mostly traditional) that subsequently became folk club staples. The opening song Canadee-i-o features some of his most imaginative guitar playing, the almost jaunty performance of the tragic The Drowned Lovers has fine instrumental accompaniments by Tony Hall/ melodeon and Bridget Danby /recorders who appear on several other songs. You won't be able to resist singing along with the chorus on the beautiful The Little Pot Stove and Farewell To The Gold. The intense The Humpback Whale is a dazzling evocation of the life of the whaler while the lovely instrumental Planxty Davis shows a quieter side to Nic's music. Transfer to CD is excellent but it's unfortunate that Topic refrained from adding notes. An essential release. (FS)