Incredible String Band

***The Incredible String band formed in late 1965 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Before that, founding members Robin Wiliamson , Clive Palmer and Mike Heron had played around the Edinburgh and Glasgow clubs. Originally known as Robin & Clive, the duo added Heron who bought just the bluesy feel that was needed. The initial sound was Scots old-timey with a bit of bluegrass and the blues. In 1966, a new eclecticism arrived in the folk and traditional circles, changing the three young men forever. The new wave of British folk had "arrived" with Donovan, Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, Shirley Collins, The Watersons, and the Incredible String Band as the most genre-defying leaders. 
 
Almost immediately after The Incredible String band had finished recording their debut album for Elektra Records in 1966, virtuoso banjo player and third guitarist Palmer left the group to travel to Kashmir (and eventually to form C.O.B.). 
 
The first Incredible String Band album is the only one to feature this original trio lineup. It stands alone in the ISB catalogue, for its unique charm that precipitated the more hippie-laden records to follow. At this point, the trio still had a strong link (via Palmer) to traditional Scots old-timey balladry and ragtime and bluegrass, not to mention the traditional folk method. Yet, even in the beginning, traces of the Balkans, North Africa, and the Middle East come through clearly. 
 
* A landmark release from one of the world's finest folk (rock) bands 
 
* This most magical debut from 1966 (the only ISB album to feature Clive Palmer) that started this whole wild adventure 
 
* Almost indescribable music that draws from traditional Scots balladry, old-timey music, bluegrass and folk, with some fine ethnic borrowing from regions near and far 
 
* Long out-of-print domestically, now remastered with the original UK edition front cover 
 
* Touring the USA in the spring of 2003, and no doubt performing material from their entire career