No Ruinous Feud [Import]

Incredible String Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 16, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Edsel Records UK
• ASIN: B0000011TX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,183 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Explorer

2. Down Before Cathay

3. Saturday Maybe

4. Jigs

5. Old Buccaneer

6. At The Lighthouse Dance

7. Second Fiddle

8. Circus Girl

9. Turquoise Blue

10. My Blue Tears

11. Weather The Storm

12. Little Girl

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No Ruinous Feud, December 24, 1999

By 

"caparosor001" - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Ruinous Feud (Audio CD)

In '72 the ISB entered what I called their "Romantic" period with Earthspan, continuing into No Ruinous Feud in '73 and Hard Rope and Silken Twine the following. The songwriting and Rick Danko-like vocals of Malcolm LeMaistre adding considerably to the mix.

Already hardened by what I call the "Mystical" years (highlighted by Wee Tam and The Big Huge), I distinctly remember taking several months beforing finding each of these albums palatable. But once I acquired the taste, the finish has never left me.

No Ruinous Feud represents the best of this era --conjuring a period of no specific time, yet with a musical spirit as curiously innocent and energetic as Blake, Richard Halliburton's Book of Marvels and New Worlds to Conquer, and The Adventures of Marco Polo. LeMaistre's Down Before Cathay and Explorer set this mythical tone, while Williamson's Old Buccaneer and Saturday Maybe add some blue-jazzy color.

On this album, you'll also find Heron's most starkly lovelorn songs since First Girl I Loved in Turquoise Blue and Little Girl. In the former, the typically eccentric, but rhythmetic acoustic guitar of Heron is eternally infectuous, with Williamson's flute (and guest Gerard Dott's clarinet) polishing the effect to a fine grain -- a shimmering turquoise blue. There is also a refreshing return to the humor only glimpsed at during the '60s (songs like "Letter") with Circus Girl (Williamson's sardonic verses, "You fly higher than the house of lords... if they try to beat you or dare to mistreat you I'll give them some lip!") and a surprisingly catchy cover of Dolly Parton's My Blue Tears (if you can believe that!).

To top it off, there is also a quasi-reggaeish nonvocal Second Fiddle, with Williamson merrily blowing his tin whistle. The ISB never sounded happier.

And you may very well find yourself caught within the same joyous realm that's stuck with me these past 26 years. No Ruinous Feud is a work of surprising vision beneath an almost self-deprecating romantic, half-humorous stance. You'll have to suspend more than disbelief, but seriousness, to enjoy it; but once you do, it's worth the discovery!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good at last, September 9, 2005

By 

Alfredo "moonlover" (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Ruinous Feud (Audio CD)

When I first heard this LP, in the first 80's, I felt extremely disappointed. As a TISB's lover I thought this record was their commercial grave stone.

After the years, I've listened it again and...Wow! I've found the same wide open oceans, the same fullmoon shades, the same magic and traveller's spirit that I've enjoyed in their first albums; and, most of all, a bunch of lovely songs.

The sound of the band have changed but me too; after all, the time won't stop for anyone.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Charmer, March 29, 2000

By 

"brainpang" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Ruinous Feud (Audio CD)

This album has a spark that cannot be contained. Comparable 'in spirit' to Van Dyke Parks 'Discover America.' Meaning it's an utter joy to call your very own. Don't listen to the spoilsport hippies! Buy or Cry 'till ya Die.