Just for Duncan @ MadHatters

Slurping my morning coffee and blearily reading The Mad Hatters my day perked up wonderfully when I found Duncan had posted "The Mad Hatter's Song" by The Incredible String Band.

It got me thinking, are there any other songs with 'Mad Hatter' in the title? I could only come up with this.

Edgar Broughton Band Mad Hatter


There must be more, any other suggestions? Grow into these trousers... >>

I just came home from Jerry's funeral

And it was quite a moving experience. This was the second completely non-religious funeral I have been to. No hymns, no prayers, but music and poetry. It was a recantation of his life with a quiet time for remembrance, or for personal prayer for those who wanted to. Then off to the pub where Jerry had already paid on a two-pin (= a firkin, or 8 gallons) of Excelsior for his wake; so perhaps, now I am back home, I am not just sad but drunk but maudling...

There were many old faces present, some I will be keeping i touch with, but I spent much of the time talking with Jerry's granddaughter, who I've known since she was a precocious tweenager. She was always the smart one though, with just the right quip, snub or put down line. Now, with a degree in 'psychology and criminology' or something like that, she is everyone's equal. Love her to bits, and she seems to have got herself a nice boyfriend too.

A good day, but a sad day. I leave you with this song from The Incredible String Band. Jerry's daughter found this track on his iPlayer among the last things he listened to, and she played it at the funeral.

Incredible String Band ~ October Song
Grow into these trousers... >>

Late night music - String Band

A little foot-tapper.

Incredible String Band - Black Jack David

I was there that night and they were amazing. No Robin Williamson, but you hardly notice.

Get the DVD is here: The Incredible String Band - Live at the Lowry Grow into these trousers... >>

Late night music - String Band

The Incredible String Band were so formative to me, both musically and psychologically
...

The Incredible String Band - Koeeoaddi There
Grow into these trousers... >>

I would like... String Band will do.

I wanted to post something more substantial tonight, I have in idea to take a look at the local history for where I live in the north of England. But to tell that story I really need to take some photographs. Hmm, well first I need to buy a decent camera. Before that I need to budget for the expense. This could take some time, so while you are waiting enjoy this track :)

The Incredible String Band - The Minotaur's Song
Grow into these trousers... >>

I'm indulging in some Incredible String Band

Just for my offline commenter, who wasn't phased by my selection for Deserted Island Discs.

Here's the last track on side one of U. I can't find anything else! Any ideas?

The Incredible String Band - The Queen of Love


If you've got this far there's a couple more gems below the belt.

Not from U, but:

October Song : Incredible String Band


And this unexpected piece I just found:

Incredible String Band - When you find out who you are

Grow into these trousers... >>

Deserted Island Discs

I was sat at the bar earlier with my offline commenter when the question arose:

If you could just have one music album to listen to for the next eternity, what would you choose?

One or two of the obvious came out between us.
Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon (coming soon to a blog near you) and Echoes.

The Beatles, Sgt Pepper's


And many others. But for me, in this battle, there can be only one. Explore my weird bits below the belt.

Before I get to my final choice I would like to mention a couple more LPs which have been friends for years. Again there are many others but ... here you go!

Grateful Dead - From The Mars Hotel.
Here's a taster, Scarlet Begonias:


James - Laid. Pure poetry.
James - Sometimes


But of course I have to choose The Incredible String Band's epic U. There's enough in there to keep a psychology department in work for years. I've posted this track before but it's worth a reprise, it's second on the compilation:
The Juggler's Song


Just to give a feel for the 'originality of the music', here's the opening track of the album:
El Wool Suite - Incredible String Band (1970)


OK! I'm odd. So what would be your choice? Grow into these trousers... >>

Albion Dreaming

I have just finished reading Albion Dreaming: A Popular History of LSD in Britain a book I mentioned before, written by my friend Agg (Andy Roberts).

And most enjoyable it was too. I set off to read it dispassionately, because I know the guy and we've kinda lived through much of these times, but I was soon hooked by the level of detail. Though the subject is contentious it is treated with accuracy, voluminous research often based on interviews or correspondence with those concerned, and somehow I detect a subtle underlying humour; or maybe that's just because I know the author and remember his dry wit.
This is not whiz-bang, far out man but a sober account of sub culture in recent history.

From Hoffman to Kemp and beyond this is a richly referenced, well indexed travelogue through the last 60 years or so. As the story develops we see that the effects of LSD on our culture go far beyond the experience of individual users, profound though that may be. The influence extends into music, art, fashion and politics. LSD has changed the lifestyle of many generations of non-users and I see this as a positive thing, but it's continued prohibition is a legal anomaly given the availability of ethyl alcohol.

In conclusion this is a book which could grace any coffee table with style and provoke a thousand conversations, just like it's subject matter.

There's a cosmic rush of music below the belt.
Agg, nice one, this is for you!

Curved Air - S t r e t c h


BLACK WIDOW - Come To The Sabbat (1970) LIVE video


Evening Over Rooftops - The Edgar Broughton Band



The Incredible String Band - 02 - The Juggler's Song


white rabbit (Jefferson Airplane)


And of course some Floyd.
Grow into these trousers... >>