Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Contains the same old magic from earlier days, 18 Dec 2001
This review is from: Where the Mystics Swim (Audio CD)
Mike Herons voice can still sound as sonorous and soar like in the old string band days but you have to wait untill he hits the right pitch for this thrilling experience. Musically though these new songs are lovely, full of intricate guitar work and subtle cross rhythms showing just why Mike Heron was such a sensational partner for Robin Williamson
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
MORE, PLEASE, 19 Jun 2001
By Kerry Leimer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Where the Mystics Swim (Audio CD)
While Robin Williamson went on to record dozens of releases, we've heard little from Mike Heron. In fact, it's been hard to think of Mike Heron outside the context of the Incredible String Band and the company of the gifted Mr. Willliamson. But this record actually accomplishes that feat: when listening to "Where the Mystics Swim" Mike's voice, words and instruments create a complete whole that thrives outside the history of ISB. Setting aside some of the questionable "rock" records Mike released with the band "Heron", we really have only two solo albums before "Mystics" - "Conflict of Emotions", which is certainly worth having, and the brilliant "Smiling Men With Bad Reputations" (why hasn't this been reissued on CD?), his first solo album which featured John Cale, of all people. With "Mystics" we have an intelligent, gentle and consistently radiant album driven forward by Mike's unique voice, made even more interesting and compelling with the passing of years. Mike Heron's work has always been highly original, but here it is also highly accessible. I say this because I must confess to some difficulty, even 30 years ago, in sitting all the way through a song like "White Bird" from the ISB's "Changing Horses". "Mystics" never dives to any level of meandering self-indulgence. Song for song, I wouldn't bother to pick out favorites. The case with this CD is simply that each song lives and breathes on its own . The overall effect is one that delivers an unhurried beauty tempered by time and experience, and made all the more profound by the silence of the intervening years.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Beautiful and full of Meaning., 24 Jan 2001
By T. Marshall "alden" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Where the Mystics Swim (Audio CD)
The String Band were always ahead of their time; Mike's latest ventures are so far ahead of their time it'll be the 22nd century before he is really appreciated and understood. This latest material is wonderful and sensitive and points to where we should be going after we finally get over the upheavals of the 60's and start getting on with our lives. It's a common experience to listen to a great album and not like it at first; after a few listenings the sounds sink in and we understand how great it is; it brings us new experiences rather than pandering to our former selves. This version of the album brings Mike's voice to an audible level. I wish he was appreciated more by the general populace but heck at least we get a CD once in a while! Tom and Alexi is beautiful, Leaning on my Heart as well; if you want to GROW, this is the place to start!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
MORE, PLEASE, 19 Jun 2001
By Kerry Leimer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Where the Mystics Swim (Audio CD)
While Robin Williamson went on to record dozens of releases, we've heard little from Mike Heron. In fact, it's been hard to think of Mike Heron without the context of the Incredible String Band and the company of the gifted Mr. Willliamson. But this record actually accomplishes that feat: when listening to "Where the Mystics Swim" Mike's voice, words and instruments create a complete whole that thrives outside the history of ISB. Setting aside some of the questionable "rock" records Mike released with the band "Heron", we really have only two solo albums before "Mystics" - "Conflict of Emotions", which is certainly worth having, and the brilliant "Smiling Men With Bad Reputations" (why hasn't this been reissued on CD?), his first solo album which featured John Cale, of all people. With "Mystics" we have an intelligent, gentle and consistently radiant album driven forward by Mike's unique voice, made even more interesting and compelling with the years. Mike Heron's work has always been highly original, but here it is also highly accessible. I say this because I must confess to some difficulty, even 30 years ago, in sitting all the way through a song like "White Bird". "Mystics" never dives to any level of meandering self-indulgence. Song for aong, I wouldn't bother to pick out favorites. The case with this CD is simply that each song lives and breathes on its own . The overall effect is one that delivers an unhurried beauty tempered by time and experience, and made all the more profound by the silence of the intervening years.
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