Approach with indulgence, but...
Laurence Upton | Wilts, UK | 08/28/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The Incredible String Band were rather left behind in the rediscovery of the sixties by subsequent generations until just a few years ago, when forgotten corners of their back catalogue finally got a CD showing. It began to look as if they would be remembered only for the handful of songs that others had recorded (Judy Collins, the Delgados).
The band were nothing if not hard working and prolific, and this double album was their third release in under a year. The material on "U" is all entirely new, with the exception of Robin Williamson's Invocation, which had debuted at the previous year's Woodstock Music and Arts Fair. It is untypical in that it represents "a surreal parable in song and dance concept by Incredible String Band and Stone Monkey", neither entirely musical performance, dance or theatre, and clearly missing two of its dimensions in audio format. Stone Monkey were a kind of Indian street theatre fused with far eastern mask puppetry, according to Robin Williamson's liner notes.
It would not, therefore, be the ideal first purchase for someone wishing to discover the band (Wee Tam or The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion might be more suitable). Some of it is clearly dispensable, but an anthology of their work would be woefully inadequate if it did not include a few songs from this set. In particular, Queen Of Love, with a beautiful arrangement by the Grateful Dead's Tom Constanten, is one of their finest recordings.
More Robin Williamson's project than Mike Heron's, both nevertheless contribute some quality stand-alone songs, with partners Janet Shankman and Licorice McKenna also providing a couple of lighter numbers. Joe Boyd's production and John Wood's engineering skills belie the fact that it was recorded over 48 hours straight in San Francisco ("straight" may not be entirely the most appropriate word), whilst drummer Dave Mattacks is on hand to inject some needed structural discipline to proceedings.
Recommended for those who know what to expect, perhaps with a skip button at the ready."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1