Amazingly, since I am a major ISB Fan, I only now noticed this thread which began in early 1999. Unfortunately I didn't follow the ISB from the beginning, and I first bought one of their LPs ("Liquid Acrobat as Regards the Air" in December 1971 because I liked the look of the album cover, I believe (I was pretty experimental, or naive, then!). I thought it was pretty good in a standard sort of light rock way. Then a friend played his copy of "Wee Tam and the Big Huge" in summer 1972 and I thought it was tremendous. That autumn I started buying up their albums. Of course they only kept going until 1974. No Ruinous Feud was the only album I didn't like and I later sold it.

They say that if you can remember the 1960s, you weren't there; well I can and I was, but some of the people posting to this thread sound like they weren't (ONLY JOKING); being of a pedantic nature I can't resist pointing out these errors:

(1) The title of their 2nd album was "5000 Spirits or Layers of Onions" and Clive is Clive Palmer (as someone has already pointed out).
(2) The late Roy Williamson of the Corries was NOT Robin's brother, though I think they may have lived near each other in Edinburgh. Apparently Robin's father was originally from Co. Armagh in Northern Ireland (where I live) and once or twice I think I can hear an Ulster pronunciation of a word or two). When the ISB started I thought Robin had a fairly "posh" accent but as he has got older it has become more Scottish.
(3) It's the Hangman's Beautiful (not Lovely) Daughter). This seems to be generally regarded as their finest album, the equivalent of the Beatles "Sergeant Pepper". Naturally, since I prefer "Abbey Road" to the latter, I prefer "Wee Tam and The Big Huge" (which I first heard as a double album in 1972 although they were originally released separately as "Wee Tam" and "The Big Huge".

The 2nd album is called "The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion" and marks a transition to more psychedlic stuff. Although I prefer WT&TBH and also "U" this is still a great album.

(4) On "The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter" "A Very Cellular Song" has the lyrics "Who would mouse and who would lion, and who would be the tamer". There is a track called "Three is a Green Crown" on this which at first I thought was a misprint for "There is a Green Crown". Maya is a long "song"(9+ minutes; they used to do quite a lot of these, which because of the variety never bored me) on "The Big Huge". "Dust Be Diamonds" was on "Changing Horses", as was "Big Ted" (the lyrics were "He'd eat most anything, never wore a wig" and "He's gone like snow on the water, Goodbyeee").

(4) On "The Hedgehog's Song" on 5000 Spirits, etc, the lyrics are:

"Oh you know all the WORDS and you SUNG all the notes,
but you never quite learned the song she sung
I can tell by the sadness in your eyes
That you never quite learned the song."


My own favourite songs are "October Song" from the 1st album (not just because I was born in October - I think I bought it in February 1973) but because of the great guitar accompaniment and the lyrics:

"I used to search for happiness
And I used to follow pleasure
But I found a door behind my mind
And that's the greatest treasure

For rulers like to lay down laws
And rebels like to break them
And the poor priests like to walk in chains
And God likes to forsake them"

If pressed, I would nominate this as the best song of all time (not just by the ISB) but of course that's just my opinion. Dandelion Blues on the same album though more upbeat has a great guitar accompaniment. However "Ducks on a Pond", the last track on "Wee Tam" is perhaps even more moving than "October Song"; I think if one was given the choice of a song to die to (assuming that the passage was peaceful) this is the one I would choose (Not just yet folks!).

The mandolin break on "A very Cellular Song" is just divine. There is a whole side of great instrumentals on "Be Glad for the Song has No Ending". In a way, if I can avoid being quoted in Private Eye magazine's "Pseuds Corner", all their songs are "love" songs, in that they are generally done with such love and care. Aery Faery they are not - they might be ethereal but have a pretty definite and distinctive feel.

I suppose I could recommend all their albums up to their break except No Ruinous Feud, although after 1970 they got less original. The albums are: 1st; 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion; The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter; Wee Tam and The Big Huge; Changing Horses; I Looked Up; U; Be Glad for the Song Has No Ending. The latter is also the name of a film starring members of the ISB which was made into a Video a few years back though I don't know if they are still available. It was produced by Austin John Marshall, ex (I think) husband of Shirley Collins.

I don't think people who haven't heard them should get the idea they are musically undisciplined; don't confuse complexity with laziness. They don't paly out of tune/key/rhythm, although these can often be deliberately varied. Some of their best songs can be quite simple, eg Mike Heron's "Greatest Friend" on "The Big Huge" with just acoustic guitar and harmonica, which is very reminscent of the style of early Bob Dylan.

I may be wrong, but I think Smoke Shovelling Song should be taken at face value as light hearted song rather than being "drug-focused" etc. Not only do you not have to take drugs to appreciate them (as an unrepentant "square" I can say this honestly) but I think also the affect of drugs on musical creativity is over-rated. Obviously you need the basic talent. If I was to get high on cocaine or marijuana or whatecver it certainly wouldn't turn me into a brilliant song writer or performer. Robin Williamson was obviously steeped in the traditional music of the British Isles and Mike Heron was into Rhythm and Blues, etc, before they teamed up.

Criticisms of Robin Williamson's voice amaze me. I suspect 90% of folk and rock singers may not bear comparison technically with Pavorotti (Surprised there wasn't a joke in Hale and Pace: "I hate Pavorotti". "I hate all Italian food") but that's not the point. Imagine Pavarotti trying ISB Stuff. I don't think many people could have carried sonsg like October song, Womankind (from 1st album) or My Name is Death, from 5000 Spirits, the way Robin did.

The 2 (main) females associated with ISB were Rose Simpson and Christina (Licorice/Likky) McKechnie. The former was I think the partner of a Liberal or Liberal Democrat Mayor of Aberystwyth (I don't think they were married) and as a result became known as the Lady Mayor, some years ago. Licorice unfortunately went missing without trace some years ago in the USA and no-one knows whether she is alive or not (I think she had bouts of depression). Her sister has been appealing over the Internet, etc, for news but I think so far nothing has come up.

Most of the information above not available on the albums I got from reading the ISB fanzine "Be Glad" which came out for a few years before ceasing publication about a year or two ago. I think that there is a website for Be Glad as well as an offical and no doubt some unofficial ISB websites.

The ISB reformed with the 3 original personnel (Robin williamson, Mike Heron and Clive Palmer) about 2 years ago and have already iosued an album. I think Clive's choice of aongs and playing is among the best bits of their recent stuff album, though I also like the new arrangements of old songs like "Just Like the Ivy". I remember being stuck in a car park due to the volume of traffic for about 30 minutes after a fireowrk display on the Millennium Eve evening (31st December 1999) and having my sanity saved by listening to Just Like the Ivy in the car. The banjo accompaniment (which I later found out was "Whistling Rufus") is just great.

In summary, the ISB is not everyone's cup of tea, though you don't need to be a hippy (ageing or otherwise) to appreciate them; probably few if any of them are immediately appealing to a majority. Conversely the best of their songs are the sort which one can still greatly enjoy many years later. In a way the person who suggested their songs were like children's songs was on the right track; I suppose Robin in particular might say we are all grown up children (and why should adults lose the child's sense of wonder?).

Quite a few better known performers have acknowledged influence by the ISB. Sorry I can't name them at present, just trust me that this is true according to what I have read.

Like the Beatles and so many other artists, musical or otherwise, they produced their best work in the early or mid years. I don't think they will ever hit the same highs but with luck they will continue to surprise me at least, eg with interesting arrangements of traditional or old time music hall type songs, etc.

Just to finish with the cliche that I have no connection with the band except as a satisfied customer, sorry lifelong fan. Oh, and I once got a postcard from Robin Williamson in response to a letter from me.

P.S. Unauthorised reproduction of any part of this masterpiece outside the Mudcat Forum will result in your grandmother being taken mysteriously ill. You will also receive a letter from my solicitors BASTARD, BASTARD, BASTARD & BASTARD.