The Robin and Mike Reunion
S. GODFREY | Risca, South Wales | 02/16/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The most incredible thing about this concert is that it happened at all..so many years after the Incredible String Band split, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron seemed to have travelled far apart. Robin had continued performing, maturing into a story-telling, harp-strumming bard, while Mike released the odd album but generally disappeared into obscurity. Following a revival of interest in the String Band's work with the release of CDs and a fanzine, they were re-united in 1997 for this concert and another in Glasgow. It was never meant to be an ISB show, just Robin and Mike (with Mike's band), but the old magic was there on classics such as "Everything's Fine Right Now", "Red Hair" and "Log Cabin Home". Both main men performed newer material as well; Robin's performances are the strongest (notably "Scotland Yet) but Mike is never less than engaging. It was a lovely concert (I was there! ) and this CD captures the warmth and good vibes of that evening beautifully."
For lovers of evening
William Wood | Sydney, New South Wales Australia | 10/29/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A wonderful recording of two of musics most favoured sons live and splendid.Williamson and Heron have lost none of their singular talents in the years since we last heard them together and this is a disc I highly recommend to those in the know.
So much of what was magical about the Incredible String Band was due to these two men working together and the magic is still here without a doubt.
They give us old songs and they give us new songs all are well worth the price of this disc(and more)and both men show that they are still in touch with the muse.They are more than ably accompanied by Mike's band, who are quite perfect.For me Robin shines a little brighter than Mike on this one though both are in fine form and I certainly look forward to hearing more from this venerable bunch of old codgers."
Great Live Duet of Incredible String Band Principals
B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 06/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"`Bloomsbury 1997' and `Wheel of Fortune' with Robin Williamson paired up with Mike Heron and John Renbourn respectively are two of a very traditional genre of recording done by a seemingly `ad hoc' pairing of two very respected artists with similar styles and interests. My first encounter was the pairing of Danny Kalb and Stephan Grossman. The most famous may be the pre-Pentangle duet album of `Bert (Jansch) and John (Renbourn)'
These two pairings are probably much less `ad hoc' than most. In the case of `Wheel of Fortune', Williamson and Renbourn are both renowned practitioners of the Scottish/Celtic/Anglo-Saxon folk music tradition. They also both started their recording careers in the latter half of the 1960's, carried on by the flood of interest in the multiple waves of the British Invasion. Williamson and Heron are an even more expected pairing, as they are two of the three original founders of The Incredible String Band that recorded between 1967 and 1974.
`Wheel of Fortune' was recorded at live concerts at various venues in the United States in 1993. Williamson and Heron were recorded at a single concert in London in 1997.
My guess is that if you are fond of either The Incredible String Band or Pentangle or either of the three individual performers' works, you will probably enjoy and welcome both albums. If I had to pick one over the other, I would buy `Wheel of Fortune' because of the greater diversity of material from Williamson and Renbourn coming from two different takes on similar material. This work also contains more humor and just a bit more genuine audience interaction. Williamson's little recitation of a classic Irish story alone may be worth the price of admission.
Regarding Williamson and Heron, I was always just a little lukewarm for Heron's vocal and songwriting talents. They are just a little better than those of Ringo Starr.
Another dimension worth considering is the fact that both of these albums are a lot more interesting than many of Williamson's post ISB period. I have yet to hear one that is genuinely dreadful, but some never rise above the mediocre.
So, for all you `Impenetrable String Tangle' fans out there, I recommend both.
"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1