TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Changing Horses" - The Incredible String Band (1969)

"Changing Horses" - The Incredible String Band (1969)

Not as strong as "5000 Spirits" or "Hangman's Daughter."  The band's 5th album..."Changing Horses"...is still sprinkled with prog-psych dust here and there, but just not as much.  And the more interesting moments of prog-psych delight are sometimes fighting for purchase with occasional unwise musical ideas.  Like the sounds of...a kazoo.  Really?!  This knocks the album down a peg for me right there.

Fortunately, the damage is in small measure.  "Changing Horses" is not a bad album.  It's not without its trippy head-pleasing ISB moments that remind us why we dig their stuff.  But this is not the first place I'd recommend ISB virgins dip their stick.  

"Changing Horses" - ISB (back)

There are only six songs found here.  Favorites include the two longer tracks.  "White Bird"...(not that "White Bird")...is an enjoyable early morning hippie breakfast.  And "Creation" has enough dodges to keep the mind on a swing.  Both are growers.  Of the four shorter songs, "Mr. and Mrs." scratches my itch the best.

This is an original vg+ copy with a beautiful gatefold I picked up at a record swap last year from one of the sellers affectionately known as Garageman G.  I think I only paid a five-spot. I'm still looking for "The Big Huge" (1968) and "Wee Tam" (1968) to complete my 60s catalog of the ISB.

"Changing Horses" - ISB (inside gatefold)

Elektra sleeve

Elektra label

Cat #
EKS-74057
SIDE A  DEADWAX
EKS 74057 A  CTH  SS LH  A  0  T
SIDE B  DEADWAX
EKS 74057 B - RE-1-CTH  A 2  T  0

"Mr. & Mrs." - The Incredible String Band / "Changing Horses" (1969) 

TRACKS:
A1  "Big Ted" 4:21
A2  "White Bird" 14:46
A3  "Dust Be Diamonds" 6:14
B1  "Sleepers, Awake!" 3:44
B2  "Mr. & Mrs." 4:54
B3  "Creation" 16:04

PERSONNEL:
Robin Williamson - vocals, guitar, piano, flute, sarangi, Chinese banjo, Hammond, gimbri, violin, percussion, b-vocals.
Mike Heron - vocals, guitar, piano, vibraphone, sitar, mandolin, percussion, b-vocals.
Licorice McKechnie - Hammond, vocals, kazoo, guitar, percussion, b-vocals
Rose Simpson - bass, vocals, percussion, b-vocals
ADDITIONAL
Walter Gundy - harmonica
Ivan Pawle - Hammond, piano (B3)

Good stuff.

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