Paul Norbury

This book is a real treat for the Incredible String Band enthusiast. The title plays on ISBer Mike Heron's solo album and the collapse in the ISB's reputation in the decades since they were right in the mix for critical and to some extent commercial acclaim during their late-sixties heyday. The author is far more informative than anybody I've read on such important topics as the members relationship with Scientology, the band's breakup, and their post-ISB careers. The author is very free show more with his critical opinions, which for the most part I agree with (though, like seemingly all musical biographers I've read, he manages to dismiss my favorite song). He does good analyses of the shifting importance through the band's career of principals Heron and Robin Williamson, with substantial attention to the group's other members. For mine, though I appreciated his extensive coverage of their post-ISB material, most will surely find it draggy, as this music has not been widely heard and it's difficult to describe music interestingly to one who hasn't heard it. The book ends with a worthwhile summary of his methods and how his intercourse with Williamson and Heron might have affected the book which was very informative. show less

Got pretty far along before realizing I'd read a previous edition of this book a few years ago (the face-saving golf story tipped me off). Lots of good information here, brief and easy to read.