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In 1975, as The Incredible String Band dissolved, Robin Williamson relocated to Los Angeles. He soon began work recording a tremendous body of new songs and a backlog of material that didn’t fit the repertoire of the late period String Band. These songs hark back to the glory days of the Incredible’s. Based around the majestic acoustic ensemble playing of the Merry Band, this long out-of-print album is a highlight of Williamson’s career. The album marked the beginning of a very creative period for Robin – leading the Merry Band, beginning his interest in the Celtic harp and ancient bardic poetry. The album was released in 1976 on the Flying Fish label in the USA. This deluxe Fledg’ling edition will see the album’s first official European release. With TEN previously unreleased bonus tracks. Mastered from the original master tapes. New sleevenote by Robin Williamson. Deluxe digipac with lyrics and previously unseen photographs. Tracks: Border Tango / The Tune I Hear So Well / Red Eye Blues / Tomorrow / Mythic Times / Lullaby For A Rainy Day / Rap City Rhapsody / The Maharajah Of Mogador / The Bells / Voices Of The Barbary Coast / Out On The Water. Bonus Tracks: When Winter Comes / Old Entertainer / The Kid I Never Knew / Dark Lady Of The Water / To Give My Heart To You / Be My Friend / Precious Blues And Greys / Bleeding Again / To Give My Heart To You / After The Ball
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In 1975, as The Incredible String Band dissolved, Robin Williamson relocated to Los Angeles. He soon began work recording a tremendous body of new songs and a backlog of material that didn’t fit the repertoire of the late period String Band. These songs hark back to the glory days of the Incredible’s. Based around the majestic acoustic ensemble playing of the Merry Band, this long out-of-print album is a highlight of Williamson’s career. The album marked the beginning of a very creative period for Robin - leading the Merry Band, beginning his interest in the Celtic harp and ancient bardic poetry. The album was released in 1976 on the Flying Fish label in the USA. This deluxe Fledg’ling edition will see the album’s first official European release. With TEN previously unreleased bonus tracks. Mastered from the original master tapes. New sleevenote by Robin Williamson. Deluxe digipac with lyrics and previously unseen photographs.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Although undisputed genius Robin Williamson must have had a pretty clear vision of the direction he intended to take after the demise of the Incredible String Band in 1974, it took him a few years to settle to a musical formula which enabled him to express his richly varied ideas. This first album featuring the excellent Merry Band shows him still experimenting, nearly always with very enjoyable results. The overall sound is relaxed and easy on the ear, with a gentle swing to tunes like "Border Tango" and "Red Eye Blues", although there is no shortage of of ISB-style vocal and instrumental magic from Robin as he swoops and soars through "Tomorrow" and waxes suitably deep and, well, mythic on "Mythic Times". To say that this is the album's standout track and that it would not be out of place on "Wee Tam" is not a put-down of the Merry Band, just a reflection of the huge reputation Robin had built up from the glory day of the Incredibles. "The Maharaja of Mogador" is a typical example of Robin's humorous songs (be warned!)In many ways, this album represents for Robin what "461 Ocean Boulevard" was for Eric Clapton - getting back to the kind of music he always loved to write & perform while retaining much of the "feel" of the music which made him famous. The Merry band went on to make better albums with Robin, but "Journey's Edge" has its own great charm and no fan of the String Band, or of Robin's later solo work, will want to be without it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download
When the ISB broke down, Robin headed for California to team up with the Merry Band, which proved to be a wonderful and powerful combination. Of the 3 studio albums they produced this "Journey's edge" is farthest away from Robin's other work, I think, maybe in a reaction to get away from the ISB as far as he could. The result is really good: the playing is wonderful, each song has its own voice and the overall atmosphere of the album is warm and, if you like, sunny.
We hear hints of things to come in songs like "The tune I hear so well" or "Out on the water" while adaptations like the "Maharajah" are really funny. The musical prowess of the Merry Band comes to the fore in all songs, but especially in songs like "Voices of the Barbary Coast".
The latest release comes with a staggering amount of 10 previously unreleased songs - which is a pleasant surprise, of course. In terms of quality they are all quite good but not on an equal footing with the songs on the original album, I think, so Robin chose well when he decided which songs to put on the album.
In retrospect, I think this album has aged much better than "American Stonehenge", and while it differs greatly from the Merry Band's masterpiece "Glint at the Kindling" it certainly deserves a prominent place in your ISB/Williamson collection.
We hear hints of things to come in songs like "The tune I hear so well" or "Out on the water" while adaptations like the "Maharajah" are really funny. The musical prowess of the Merry Band comes to the fore in all songs, but especially in songs like "Voices of the Barbary Coast".
The latest release comes with a staggering amount of 10 previously unreleased songs - which is a pleasant surprise, of course. In terms of quality they are all quite good but not on an equal footing with the songs on the original album, I think, so Robin chose well when he decided which songs to put on the album.
In retrospect, I think this album has aged much better than "American Stonehenge", and while it differs greatly from the Merry Band's masterpiece "Glint at the Kindling" it certainly deserves a prominent place in your ISB/Williamson collection.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For me The Incredible String Band was always Robin Wiliamson plus passengers. Unfortunately I hated Mike Heron's stuff far more than I loved Robin Williamson's so I could never bear to have their albums in the house. It was as if Heron poisoned the purity of Williamson's work. OK, maybe a bit overblown - I was 14 and discovering angst in a big way. I guess Mike Heron wasn't THAT bad.
But Robin Williamson WAS (and remains) that good. His first solo (Myrrh) album was a joy to hear and this, his second, was even better. This was the first time that Robin had played with musicians who were almost his peers in terms of skill and the results are nothing short of stunning. Gone is Heron's out of tune wailing and in its place is the sound of notes being nailed and held. Instruments are in time and in tune.
This is Robin Williamson's music as it SHOULD be heard. The whole album still sounds fresh today and remains one of my all-time favourites.
Robin has gone on to do better things but (and here I gently disagree with another reviewer) I don't think the Merry Band ever bettered this album.
But Robin Williamson WAS (and remains) that good. His first solo (Myrrh) album was a joy to hear and this, his second, was even better. This was the first time that Robin had played with musicians who were almost his peers in terms of skill and the results are nothing short of stunning. Gone is Heron's out of tune wailing and in its place is the sound of notes being nailed and held. Instruments are in time and in tune.
This is Robin Williamson's music as it SHOULD be heard. The whole album still sounds fresh today and remains one of my all-time favourites.
Robin has gone on to do better things but (and here I gently disagree with another reviewer) I don't think the Merry Band ever bettered this album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stands the test of time
This is a very welcome re release marking a period of transition for Williamson between the ISB and his later Merry Band music. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2009 by I. McDonell
One of the finest albums of all time
Whether or not you like folk music, The Incredible Sring Band or anything to do with hippies, beards, the 60's flower power nonsense and ethnic instruments you WILL love this album... Read more
Published on 10 July 2008 by No longer here
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