Tag Archives: The Incredible String Band

Danny Thompson

On September 23, 2025, Daniel Henry Edward Thompson aka Danny Thompson died aged 86. He was musician (upright bass, tea chest bass), songwriter and record producer, member of Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, led a trio that included John McLaughlin, but was best known as member of Pentangle and long – time collaborator with John Martyn. During his long musical career he recorded and played with a large variety of other musicians, including Richard Thompson, Kate Bush, Tim Buckley, ABC, Skin, Ayuo, Richard Barbieri, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Sam Brown, Graham Coxon, Donovan, Christine Collister, Barbara Dickson, Bick Drake, Everything but the Girl, Marianne Faithfull, Peter Gabriel, Davey Graham, Mara!, Linda Lewis, Mike Landup, Magna Carta, The Chris McGregor Septet, Loreena McKennitt, Ralph McTell, Alison Moyet, Cliff Richard, Dizrhythmia, David Sylvian, Duffy Power, Deva Premal, Andrew Ridgeley, Talk Talk, Loudon Wainwright III, Se. E. Rogie, Darell Scott, Songhai, Vivian Stanshall, Eric Bibb & North Country Far, Hunter Muskett, Mary Hopkin, John Stevens, Alan Holdsworth, Bert Jansch, David Wharnsby, Boo Hewerdine, Tasmin Archer, The Incredible String Band, T. Rex and Rod Stewart. As leader Thompson released seven albums.

The Incredible String Band: The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers of the Onion

In July 1967, “Elektra” label released “The 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion”, the second Incredible String Band (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1967 at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Joe Boyd.

Personnel:

  • Robin Williamson- vocals, guitar, mandolin, oud, bowed and bass gimbri, flute, percussion
  • Mike Heron- vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • John Hopkins- piano
  • Soma (Nazir Jairazbhoy) – sitar, tanpura
  • Danny Thompson- double bass
  • Licorice McKechnie- vocals, percussion

Track listing:

  1. Chinese White – Mike Heron
  2. No Sleep Blues – Robin Williamson
  3. Painting Box – Mike Heron
  4. The Mad’s Hatter’s Song – Robin Williamson
  5. Little Cloud – Mike Heron
  6. The Eyes of Fate – Robin Williamson
  7. Blues for the Muse – Robin Williamson
  8. The Hedgehog’s Song – Mike Heron
  9. First Girl I Loved – Robin Williamson
  10. You Know What You Could Be – Mike Heron
  11. My Name Is Death – Robin Williamson
  12. Gently Tender – Mike Heron
  13. Way Back in the 1960s – Robin Williamson

The Incredible String Band: Same

On June 1, 1966, “Elektra” label released the self-titled, debut Incredible String Band (The) album. It was recorded in 1966, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Joe Boyd. In the Melody Maker’s annual poll, “The Incredible String Band” won the title “Folk Album of the Year”.

Personnel:

  • Mike Heron– lead and backing vocals; guitar
  • Clive Palmer– lead and backing vocals; banjo, guitar, kazoo
  • Robin Williamson– lead and backing vocals, violin, guitar,  tin whistle; mandolin

Track listing:

  1. Maybe Someday – Mike Heron
  2. October Song – Robin Williamson
  3. When the Music Starts to Play – Mike Heron
  4. Schaeffer’s Jig – traditional
  5. Womankind – Robin Williamson
  6. The Tree – traditional, arr. Robin Williamson
  7. Whistle Tune – traditional, arr. Robin Williamson
  8. Dandelion Blues – Robin Williamson
  9. How Happy I Am – Mike Heron
  10. Empty Pocket Blues – Clive Palmer
  11. Smoke Shovelling Song – Robin Williamson
  12. Can’t Keep Me Here – Mike Heron
  13. Good as Gone – Robin Williamson
  14. Footsteps of the Heron – Mike Heron
  15. Niggertown – traditional, arr. Clive Palmer
  16. Everything’s Fine Right Now – Mike Heron

The Incredible String Band: The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter

hangmans-beautiful-daughter

In March 1968, “Elektra” label released “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter” the third Incredible String Band album. It was recorded December 1967, at “Sound Techniques” in London, and was produced by Joe Boyd.

Personnel:

  • Robin Williamson – vocals, guitar, gimbri, penny whistle, percussion, pan pipe, piano, oud, mandolin, jaw harp, chahanai, water harp, harmonica
  • Mike Heron – vocals, sitar, Hammond organ, guitar, hammered dulcimer, harpsichord
  • Dolly Collins– flute organ, piano
  • David Snell – harp
  • Licorice McKechnie– vocals, finger cymbals
  • Richard Thompson– vocals
  • Judy Dyble– vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Robin Williamson, except where noted.

  1. Koeeoaddi There
  2. The Minotaur’s Song
  3. Witches Hat
  4. A Very cellular Song – Mike Heron
  5. Mercy I Cry City – Mike Heron
  6. Waltz of the New Moon
  7. The Water Song
  8. Three is a Green Crown
  9. Swift As the Wind – Mike Heron
  10. Nightfall