My first contact with The Incredible String Band was as a teenager when I "borrowed" an LP from an ex-girlfriend's dad. I absolutely love the freedom of writing this band employs. They were one of the least self-conscious bands I have ever had the pleasure of listening to; there is no sense that the music is cool or fashionable in any kind of way and I don't believe Mike Heron or Robin Williamson concerned themselves with such banalities either. It is just beautiful and free and from the eight or nine albums I now curently own, I can honestly say I really love each one in it's own strange way. The self-titled first album lead to Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan both naming October Song as their favourite song of that year (1966 I believe); both were admirers of the bands accomplished playing styles and seemingly simplistic melodies. Hidden under this simplicity , however, were virtuosos of every stringed instrument they ever laid their hands on from classical guitar to sitar. Their voices, far from being perfect, were often stretched to the limits and defied their technical ability and in thus doing, became something wondrous and unique. I will listen to this band forever because they have brought me so much joy and never fail to put a positive glint on any negative situation. It was almost impossible to choose an introductory song and I was tempted to use the aforementioned October Song but I have chosen Mercy I Cry City from The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter album because it creates a very obvious bridge between other, more commonly recognisable forms of folk, and the String Band's usual epic universal meanderings into the sublime unknown. Oh lord, how happy I am!
