Interesting ....
S. GODFREY | 10/12/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The ISB were already far past their days of glory when these recordings were made (If I understand correctly, not all recorded at the same gig), so instead of being exciting like it used to be this album is interesting - and that's a deadly blow, isn't it ? I'm not suggesting that it's bad stuff put on display - a lot of familiar tunes and all played well, and from the audience's response we know that there were things to see too (Malcolm prancing about, I presume).Mike Heron's latter day "rock approach" is quite audible in his "Cousin Caterpillar" and the ambitious but not totally convincing "Ithkos", while Robin is more concentrated on his musical & theatrical stories that I suspect work best when combined with the spectacle on stage, and all of them play happy/sad songs which sometimes seem to stem from the roaring twenties (and maybe they do).As a document of where they were at that point in time this album is valuable, and as a ISB fan you certainly should adopt it - but it may look a little pale and unwanted if you put it right next to that wonderful and colourful bunch of records you already had. If you're looking for really great stuff out of the old box o' tapes newly released, try "The Chelsea Sessions" instead - it sounds as fresh as when it was made."
Strange Incredibles
S. GODFREY | Risca, South Wales | 06/20/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Any live recording of the String band is worth hearing, but this late recording just makes you wish Robin and Mike had taped more of their early shows...this is OK but lets just say its a little short on magic. The best tracks are the opening "Cousin Caterpillar" which rocks out in fine style and the closing "Ithkos", which was always most suited to a live setting anyway. In between is a variable bunch of songs; Robin tries hard to inject new life into his classic "Firts Girl I loved", but the bossa-nova sort of version here will send you running for the original to remind you what a great song it is. Parhaps the clearest indication that the band's time was running out is that Gerard's instrumenmtal pieces sound fresher and more lively than almost anything else here. One for completists, I guess."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1