Peeling Back the Layers of the Onion: The Incredible String Band Rediscovering one of Woodstock's Most Anonymous Alumni

Slated to perform Friday evening at Woodstock, the band arrived at the concert ground greeted by rain showers. Eyeing the pitiful tarp that was hanging over the stage acting as a canopy, the band opted not to perform, fearing that their heavily amplified equipment would either be destroyed or kill them. In their place, Melanie, performed and dazzled the crowd. In an awful twist of fate, the ISB performed Saturday in the horrible slot, following Canned Heat and succeeding Creedence Clearwater Revival. By that point Saturday, the crowd was hot, high, and ready for something heavy. Unfortunately, the Incredible String Band were not it and they proceeded to bomb, crushed by an unauspicious reception from the crowd. Depending upon who you ask, you will either be told that the Incredible String Band were amazing or that they sucked. Being a fan of the band, I have heard many say that their Woodstock performance was amazing. Looking back on it now, it is sad to note that if the band would have played Friday night, they would have received a great response and would have most likely made it into the Woodstock movie, launching their career further.

No matter what the details behind the Woodstock fiasco were, it is safe to say that the ISB are one of the anonymous bands that slipped into the underground world of psychedelic music. Without a doubt the Incredible String Band was one of the 1960's purveyors of utilizing a variety of exotic instruments to enhance their global folk sound. Adopted by the underground, Mike Heron's and Robin Williamson's, second offering, "5000 Spirits Or The Layers of the Onion", is a unique album that highlights their versatile talents

5,000 Spirits Or the Layers of the Onion (Elektra, 1967)

Released on CD in 1992, the Incredible String Band's second album only stayed 4 weeks on the chart and peeked at number 26 in 1967.On this second album the band's roster was officially reduced to Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, having lost Clive Palmer after the fist album. More like a slightly trippy, acid injected version of traditional British folk music (think Fairport Convention meets post-acid dropping Beatles), than a psychedelic band, the ISB utilized the Middle Eastern oud, and Indian sitars and tambouras. Know today as "world music", 5,000 Spirits is an exotic retreat into fantastic lyrical imagery. Well known for Williamson's description of insomnia, "No Sleep Blue", and his best known song, "First Girl I Loved" (aka Judy Collins' "First Boy I Loved"), the album also contains Heron's love song, "Painting Box". I highly recommend this album to anyone looking to be introduced to this band. While their third album tends to be regarded as their most adventurous, I find this album to be more whimsical and accessible to first time listeners.

The band's discography contains 16 albums. Both Heron and WIlliamson have released solo material. Heron's last album, "Conflict of Emotions" was released in 1998.