U

Incredible String Band: Mike Heron, Robin Williamson, Rose, Licorice.
Conventional wisdom has it that the Incredible String Band had already peaked by the time they released this double-LP soundtrack to their ambitious stage show ("A Surreal Parable in Song and Dance") in 1970. Further, a little of the group -- which could be rather precious -- tended to go a long way. A two-pronged vocal attack, courtesy of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, which leaned toward the whiney and droning didn't help (female vocalists of a more traditional folk bent augmented most recordings, including this one). Therefore, even if U is somewhat underrated, it's still a lot to take in at one time. On repeated exposure, however, what at first seems like overkill starts to make more sense and to have more of an impact as the strongest material rises to the top. At over 15-and-a-half minutes, for instance, Heron's "Rainbow" may be more "epic" than necessary, but is affecting nonetheless and witnesses the lads (along with euphoniously named girlfriends Rose and Licorice) weaving rock elements into their psych-folk mélange more successfully than on subsequent efforts -- a bit like the Stones' "She's a Rainbow" by way of Cat Stevens with a little Ravi Shankar on the side. Janet Shankman's "Bad Sadie Lee," on the other hand -- an attempt at old-timey honky tonk from the future Mrs. Williamson -- is an experiment that probably worked better live than on record (yodel, fiddle, banjo, and all). The title is depicted on the gatefold cover by a Shankman illustration of two jugglers lying head to head, stockinged legs pointing into the air. That about sums things up -- i.e. those with an aversion to mimes, acrobats, and the like are advised to stay far, far away. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy