Looked Up

Incredible String Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000064K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #528,473 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE LAST ALBUM OF AN ERA FOR THE ISB, June 10, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Looked Up (Audio CD)

Originally issued in 1970, I LOOKED UP represents the end of the Robin/Mike/Likky/Rose period of the Incredible String Band. Later that same year would see te release of the 2-lp set U, which would introduce new faces and influences into the melting pot that was the 'sound' of the ISB.

Other than being the last album by this line-up, I LOOKED UP is notable for several other reasons -- for one thing, it was the last album they recorded that was mostly acoustic (I don't consider the occasional presence of a quiet electric guitar to be as poisonous as some might). It also contains two of Robin Williamson's most memorable compositions: 'When you find out who you are' is an insightful treatise on growing older and 'finding' onself -- something we all go through, whether we pay attention to it or not; and the simply amazing 'Pictures in a mirror', which takes Lord Randall through imprisonment, execution, death, darkness and ultimate rebirth, all in less than 11 minutes. Robin's works always tended more toward the mystical than Mike's (with some exceptions on both sides -- neither writer's scope was so narrow as to never wander...), and this song is a sterling example of his mind-stretching perceptions.

Mike Heron contributes some nice tunes as well, although not quite as 'deep', at least in this outing. 'Black Jack David' begins the album, a rousing fiddle tune -- it quickly became a concert favorite. 'The letter' is my least favorite track here, Heron's attempt at a pop song -- but his other two offerings in this set are excellent: 'This moment' is almost Zen-like in its view of reality-as-now; and 'Fair as you' is simply a touchingly beautiful love song, sung as a call-and-response duet with Likky McKechnie. Her child-like voice was one of the ISB's sweetest 'trademark' sounds during the period during which she was associated with the band.

Not their greatest effort, but certainly a fine collection of well-written tunes. With the advent of U, Malcom LeMaistre would come on board, and beginning with LIQUID ACROBAT AS REGARDS THE AIR a couple of years down the road, their sound would turn increasingly electric and (if you can believe it from their early work) 'pop', undoubtedly, to some extent, brought on by pressure from their record companies to become more 'marketable'.

They're back together now, in 2001: Robin Williamson, Mike Heron, and Clive Palmer -- the three original members, from the very first album -- along with Bina Williamson and Dawson Lando (I hope I've gotten his name right! If not, sorry...) from Robin's latest band. We'll see how well they can revive the old magic..!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious!!!!, September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Looked Up (Audio CD)

It is hard to imagine that this album was written after the clunkiness of changing horses (though a must have if for "Creation" alone); in this Robin Williamson and Mike Heron managed to sustain the creative spirit that made their first five albums so good. Every song on here is a must have, my favorites being "Pictures in a Mirror" (got to love Robin's gypsy shriek) and "When you find out who you are". This album is an essential for any ISB fan, full of the classic ISB flavor you know and love. If you loved the imagery and magical quality of "The Hangman's Beautiful daughter" you will love this album. Mike Heron was also in fine form when he wrote "This Moment", each chord change is like waves washing over your ears. Every song on here is a trip to another world.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still a captivating and enchanting experience, February 20, 2010

By 

Paulo Alm (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: I Looked Up (Audio CD)

The Incredible String Band released I Looked Up - their seventh studio album - in 1970. Produced once again by the ever reliable Joe Boyd, this is a joy to listen to. The various instruments sound clear and loud in rich textures and the voices are just pure fun! Mike Heron contributes four songs and Robin Williamson two. Mike's tunes are shorter and a bit more to the point whereas Robin's are basically the opposite running over ten minutes long. This - as on their other albums - creates great chemistry and it is still very much alive on I Looked Up which is clearly an inspired follow-up to Changing Horses.

Mike actually writes the sleeve notes which offers interesting details of their time around the writing process of the album and provides lyrics for two songs - Pictures In A Mirror and Fair As You. Mike himself writes: "There is no doubt that I Looked Up is a transitional album - wandering rather than driven - but maybe the best String Band moments were when the compass was mislaid".

While I wouldn't say this was their highest achievement, it should still manage to fascinate anyone who's into them. So I'm basically saying that if you got some of their other albums, there is plenty of stuff here that should easily please you. Music as daring and inventive as this is long gone. Don't overlook it!