Changing Horses

Changing Horses

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
They really don't write them like this any more. "Big Ted's dead / He was a great old pig," sings Robin Williamson. "He'd eat most anything / Never wore a wig." Although the Incredible String Band had always been delightfully ramshackle, 1969's Changing Horses found the innovative folk-rock duo of Williamson and his mate Mike Heron becoming almost a slipshod stoned parody of themselves--with assistance from their girlfriends Rose and Licorice. Of the six tracks, two ramble on at such length (over 14 minutes) that even such exotic instruments as sarang, gimbiri, Chinese banjo, and the inevitable sitar fail to maintain much interest. Bob Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" had, no doubt, convinced them that quarter of an hour wasn't too long to go on about "messengers with sharpened heels" and an "amethyst galleon out on the rolling sea." But it is! Committed Incredible fans will hug this to their bosoms, but the casual listener is advised to check out the 1967 classic The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. --Johnny Black

Changing Horses,The Incredible String Band,Hannibal,British Folk,British Folk-Rock,Folk,Folk & Traditional,Folk-Rock,Pop,Psychedelic

Changing Horses / I Looked Up
Average customer rating:

Very musical

Begging To Differ . . .

It really starts with Blackjack Davey!

Changing Horses / I Looked Up
Incredible String Band
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
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U

Earthspan/No Ruinous Feud

ASIN: B00006BC51
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

Big Ted
White Bird
Dust Be Diamonds
Sleepers, Awake!
Mr. & Mrs.
Creation

Tracks:

Black Jack Davy
The Letter
Pictures In A Mirror
This Moment
When You Find Out Who You Are
Fair As You

Product Description

Disc 1: Changing Horses:
1. Big Ted
2. White Bird
3. Dust Be Diamonds
4. Sleepers Awake
5. Mr. & Mrs.
6. Creation

Disc 2: I Looked Up:
1. Black Jack Davey
2. Letter
3. Pictures In A Mirror
4. This Moment
5. When You Find Out Who You Are
6. Fair As You

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Very musical.......2006-06-24

Hopefully those who get these two CDs in a single set will be able to appreciate this music without worrying much about which song is on which CD. I am used to hearing some of these songs at the end of a 2-record set called `Relics of the Incredible String Band.' "This Moment" seemed like the perfect ending for that attempt to capture the joys of existence in songs. "I just want to tell each one of you that each note, it is different from any before it, each note, it is different, it's now." Getting more songs after that is like Richard Brautigan trying to come up with 186,000 endings per second for the novel A CONFEDERATE GENERAL FROM BIG SUR. "Fair As You" is a nice, soft, flutey ending, stating the impossibility of having a song which is as fair as you. The eleven minutes penultimately placed between those two songs provides the sentimental message, "`When You Find Out Who You Are' beautiful beyond your dreams." I think that message is sentimental, but my mood might be influenced as much by the spirit in which these songs are sung and float in my memory. Some of their themes might make you feel like you are in church, and if you like `Sleepers, Awake!' you should probably get up on Sunday mornings and see how the church choir is doing. Modern peer to peer filesharing habits are like the chorus of `Dust Be Diamonds:' "buy for a million and sell for a dime." These are the songs by the Incredible String Band that I heard first, because I did not discover the group until 1970, and everyone I knew then was moving so much, no one had a complete collection of anything. If you never heard the Incredible String Band, starting with this set might be good enough so you'll never forget them.

Begging To Differ . . ........2004-12-31

I have just read the other review for this item and, sometime after the fact, thought I would put a completely opposite point of view. While I Looked Up is okay, and nothing more (neck and neck with No Ruinous Feud in the Least Enjoyable ISB Album Stakes), Changing Horses is a near masterpiece that pays repeated listening. It is obviously not in the same league as such monumental classics as Wee Tam & The Big Huge, Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, etc., but that does not diminish its plus points:
1. Big Ted: whimsical, amusing, take it on its own terms and be entertained.
2. White Bird: a prolonged joy. Not as rambling and unfocused as it seems if the original Indian music is listened to. Sheer beauty. So uplifting it's almost painful!
3. Dust Be Diamonds: more whimsy, slight but still enjoyable.
4. Sleepers, Awake!: I just love this song.
5. Mr. and Mrs.: the low point of the album but not as low as some critics would have you believe. Quite tolerable.
6. Creation: possibly Robin Williamson's finest ISB related hour. A masterwork without a doubt!

It really starts with Blackjack Davey!.......2002-11-22

SO GLAD to see the Incredible String Band CDs released again! The only potential drawback is nabbing two ISB albums, not always on the same level.

As much as I love The Incredible String Band, "Changing Horses" is one of those releases that I spun over and over, and each time it left me flat. While I wouldn't call it horrible music, it comes off as a long studio session in need of some quality editing. Songs like "Dust Be Diamonds" and "White Bird" ring like songs that start off with promise but wind up with nowhere to go.

"I Looked Up," on the other hand, is prime ISB! Blackjack Davey is an upbeat ballad that will spin through your head after just one sampling. On the other end of the mood spectrum, "Pictures In a Mirror," is the chilling narrative of Lord Randall awaiting and experiencing his execution in a hallowed jail. This is the perfect song to play to a room full of friends (friends who, preferably, are unfamiliar with the Incredible String Band!) during a late night blackout (a thunderstorm outside outside helps too!) I've tried it, and it creeps out my compadres without fail!

"I Looked Up" is a solid album all around. If you are new to The Incredible String Band, and want to pick up the best of these double-CD compilations, I recommend "The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter/5000 Spirits" combo.

Despite my lackluster opinion of "Changing Horses," this CD is worth the price for "I Looked Up" alone. And, in all fairness, The Incredible String Band went through a lot of phases; some fans like their earlier releases, some prefer the later albums that introduced electrical instruments into the band's repetoire. This combo is a good dose of two sounds of ISB. Who knows, maybe you will find something hep in "Changing Horses" that escaped me?

Average customer rating:

Smokin'

Paul does a great job of Changing Horses

Changing Horses
Paul Cotton
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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Customer Reviews:

Smokin'.......2004-09-03

This cd featuring Paul Cotton on lead vocals and other musicians like Steve Lukather,Michael Landau,Christopher Cross Ect,is an absolute must for any Lukather/Toto fan.It features excellent tracks such as From Across A Crowded Room,Jamaican Rain.The sound quality is supurb and Paul's voice flows like water. A rare piece of work indeed worth more credit than it ever recieved.Two thumbs up!!!

Paul does a great job of Changing Horses.......2003-05-31

This is Paul Cotton's first solo effort. Paul is best known for his years of songwriting and guitar work with Poco. Notably, some of Poco's biggest hits were Cotton penned (Legend, Indian Summer, Under the Gun). In fact, Paul's reworking of "Heart of the Night" is one of the CD's highlights. Released in 1990, the title "Changing Horses", is obviously a metaphor to describe his musical direction. This is NOT Poco. But it is pure Paul Cotton. Paul was the one to bring the rock edge to Poco. His smoky voice is a perfect compliment to the clean guitar work, and melodic songwriting. Paul was once quoted as saying, "I was really into Robert Plant's early solo albums", and it is clear here in both production and mixing. Cotton manages to keep a smooth even flow with some very effective songwriting. He also manages to squire some help from Garth Hudson (The Band), Steve Lukather (Toto), and Christopher Cross. Well worth adding to your collection, if you can find it.

Average customer rating:

More Myths from Hippie Central. Great Stuff.
I'm still amazed
THE BEGINNING OF CHANGES...
overall Incredible String Band rating
A Classic never fades

Changing Horses
The Incredible String Band
Manufacturer: Hannibal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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Hannibal Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000064J
Release Date: 1994-09-20

Tracks:

Big Ted
Whirte Bird
Dust Be Diamonds
Sleepers, Awake!
Mr. & Mrs.
Creation

Amazon.com

They really don't write them like this any more. "Big Ted's dead / He was a great old pig," sings Robin Williamson. "He'd eat most anything / Never wore a wig." Although the Incredible String Band had always been delightfully ramshackle, 1969's Changing Horses found the innovative folk-rock duo of Williamson and his mate Mike Heron becoming almost a slipshod stoned parody of themselves--with assistance from their girlfriends Rose and Licorice. Of the six tracks, two ramble on at such length (over 14 minutes) that even such exotic instruments as sarang, gimbiri, Chinese banjo, and the inevitable sitar fail to maintain much interest. Bob Dylan's "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" had, no doubt, convinced them that quarter of an hour wasn't too long to go on about "messengers with sharpened heels" and an "amethyst galleon out on the rolling sea." But it is! Committed Incredible fans will hug this to their bosoms, but the casual listener is advised to check out the 1967 classic The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter. --Johnny Black

Album Description

Changing Horses is Mike Heron and Robin Williamson at their most adventurous. Includes the songs 'Dust Be Diamonds' and 'Big Ted'. Warner. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

More Myths from Hippie Central. Great Stuff........2005-06-05

`Changing Horses' is the fourth / fifth album by the four member Incredible String Band with Robin Williamson and Mike Heron being joined for the third time by Rose and Licorice on base and guitar respectively. As with every previous album, the lion's share of the songwriting is done by Williamson, whose songs also tend to be far more deeply steeped in myth, both traditional and created. One gets the feeling that Williamson was baptised with a copy of `The Golden Bough' rather than the `Holy Bible'. I also tend to prefer Williamson's songs over Heron's in general, but this album contains `White Bird', which may very well be Heron's best effort. It is certainly his best song on TISB albums up to this point. It is almost a shame that a great song of the same name by Linda and David LaFlamme of `It's A Beautiful Day' came out about the same time. I checked my old Columbia LP of `It's A Beautiful Day' and can find no copywrite date, but I recall hearing the LaFlamme's version first.

In looking at the original release dates of the first five TISB albums, I'm surprised at how close together they are for a group which I'm sure had only a fringe audience at best. On the other hand, I'm sure they and their handlers at Elektra believed that it was best to get the releases out there while the audience was buying.

After all these years of listening to TISB on vinyl and CD, it has finally dawned on me as I reviewed `The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' that practically all their work can be seen as a musical analogue to `The Hobbit', `Alice in Wonderland', and `Winnie the Pooh', all stories nominally written for children but probably enjoyed much more by adults, especially adults with a countercultural persuasion. These are all songs from hippie central!

Aside from `White Bird', the most outstanding number on this album is `Creation', Robin Williamson's version of Genesis for the `New Age'. In structure, the song is very similar to `Maya', the first cut on `Wee Tam', where there most lines in the song lay out a series. In this case, it is the days of the week as they were created by a distaff diety.

My impression when I originally bought this album in 1969 was that this The Incredible String Band was giving us more of the same high quality tunes and performances, but that there was not a lot of development in evidence. This was in the days when two years separated the Beatles `I Wanna Hold Your Hand' and `Please Please Me' from Eleanor Rigby' and `Yesterday'. Strong progression of style was `de rigeur'.

In retrospect, we know that The Incredible String Band' never did develop much beyond their style established in these half dozen or so albums between 1967 and 1971. Robin Williamson has retreated to doing old Celtic storytelling and covers of traditional songs which served as his original inspiration. We can give thanks to the fact that we have these on CD after all these years.

Highly recommended for all unrepentant hippies everywhere.

I'm still amazed.......2003-08-25

If there ever was something that change my life. It was definily this band. How modest they are to call themselves the Incredible Stringband when in fact they are/were the Incredible innovators of 'my thoughts' in all my early years, that is from the age of 13 well, until now. If anybody had an impact onmy life Robin certainly did. For many years ago, in Copenhagen, I meet licorice in a park, I wasgoing the same evening to a concert with the I.S.B. And there I was..... together with Licorice.. what a thrill... Until this day I remember that day. And the concert was great. There was light everywere and I mean light,because wereever the ISB played, there was light. I love these persons I know that they loved me. If ever you should listen to music, and offcourse you are, DO'NT MISS THIS. I love you but the maker he loves you the best.

THE BEGINNING OF CHANGES..........2003-03-12

CHANGING HORSES was originally released in 1969, not that long after the ISBýs WEE TAM/BIG HUGE double-LP release (separated into two individual albums for release in the good olý USA). Some of the gentle mood of WT/BH carried over into this recording, but for the most part it feels like the growth process that it is ý the band was extending its instrumental reach into electric guitars (included on 3 of the 6 tracks). The listener could almost ýfeelý what was to come with future releases ý the bandýs personnel would change and expand, and they would become more of a ýrocký outfit by the time EARTHSPAN was released in 1972. The changes were welcomed by some and dreaded by others.

The set opens with ýBig Tedý, a Robin Williamson composition devoted to the life and death of a pig ý done up in his inimitable style, and including some great, gently humorous lines. ýWhite birdý, a 14-minute-plus Mike Heron opus, follows ý the booklet reproduces Mikeýs artwork as well as his calligraphy accompanying this song. The song goes through some nice, interesting changes, and overall works very well. ýDust be diamondsý is next ý the first collaboration between Mike and Robin to appear on any of their records ý with Robin taking the lead vocal. ýSleepers awake!ý follows ý a Mike Heron composition, sung a capella by the four members of the band in their beautiful sounds-like-a-rehearsal style. The voice blend into a lovely mix, and those of the girls are particularly effective in this setting. ýMr. & Mrs.ý is next, another Robin Williamson composition. The arrangement here is the closest to a ýrocký band that appears on this record ý but itýs not at all overbearing, and seems to suit the song well. The lyrics are a bit hard to understand ý itýs always been a disappointment to me that only two of the songs (the aforementioned ýWhite birdý and ýCreationý) were included in print. The swirling Leslies on the organ played by Licorice on this track are a great touch. ýCreationý ends the album, a long (over 16 minutes) work composed by Robin. Itýs an ambitious track, working elements of several creation myths into the lyrics, and itýs successful overall. My only problem with this track (and this is a personal peeve, not a serious criticism of the bandýs work) is the inclusion of the ýmegaphoneý effect on Robinýs vocal near the end of the piece ý itýs a little too self-consciously vaudevillian for my tastes (he resorts to it again on a later album).

Robin and Mike were amazing prolific writers ý thus the frequency of the ISB releases, 12 (13 if you count WEE TAM/BIG HUGE as two) releases between 1966-1973. This is an astonishing output that doesnýt even include compilations. There are more, recordings from early in their career and recordings made since they got back together a couple of years ago. They went through a lot of changes in a short period of time ý but their work was generally of high quality, and always interesting, always pushing whatever envelope in which they imagined themselves ý much to the listenersý delight. This is one of their better efforts, close to their best ý definitely a great asset to my collection.

overall Incredible String Band rating.......2001-03-01

This album being a personal favourite, for its extended transcendental meditative trance numbers, White Bird and Creation, only gives you an idea of the ground Robin Williamson and Mike Heron are capable of breaking. Its interesting for me to look back and see how I got turned on. It wasn't immediate acceptance, me being only 21,it was over my head--I wasn't at that level yet. Couple years later, I started to see(mostly for the lively blend/fusion of eastern influence and folk-rock including innovations on the sitar). Williamson's lyrics are beyond reproach from even Bob Dylan as is his completely unique and supplemental singing style--East is as far as music goes. And the Incredible String Band is as far as Eastern goes. I now acclaim Robin Williamson as the greatest music artist(and least acknowledged) perhaps in all of history. Accompanied by Mike Heron, on any of a half a dozen instruments, this is the most farthest reaching experimentation and exploration of the ultimate limit in music. But most people we'll never even come close to "seeing". I'm deeply effended when uncultured/uneducated individuals insult their genious with rude, negative verbal insults and unsubstantiated, uneducated comparisons to the Bealtes who , of course, is probably the only band this person ever heard of(And this sorry excuse for anything claimed to be from and "know" the 60's-don't make me sick. The Beatles never had what these guys do. The comparison to me is ludicrous. Assists from Licorice and Rose are more than just whip creme and a cherry. The Incredible String Band recorded many great albums. Whether or not you listen to them depends on what you're looking for. But do you know genious when you see it?

A Classic never fades.......2000-08-19

This cd is a classic ISB cd. It is not as good as previous releases but it is still a must have for all ISB fans. Mr. and Mrs. are and Creation are among my favorites. This cd is a departure from the norm and is a nice change of pace from the everyday folk singers releasing cd's now. ISB music still remains original and cutting edge, 30 years after it was released.

Average customer rating:

Changing Horses
Paul Cotton
Manufacturer: Curb
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002B9AFI
Release Date: 1990-04-03

Average customer rating:

Changing Horses
The Incredible String Band
Manufacturer: Elektra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000GUK51I
Release Date: 2006-10-02

Tracks:

Big Ted
White Bird
Dust Be Diamonds
Sleepers, Awake!
Mr. and Mrs.
Creation

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. Strange. 2006.

Album Details

2006 Issued Japanese Digitally Remastered Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Average customer rating:

More Myths from Hippie Central. Great Stuff.
I'm still amazed
THE BEGINNING OF CHANGES...
overall Incredible String Band rating
A Classic never fades

Changing Horses
The Incredible String Band
Manufacturer: Elektra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000257OT
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Big Ted
White Bird
Dust Be Diamonds
Sleepers, Awake!
Mr. and Mrs.
Creation

Amazon.com

Album Description

Changing Horses is Mike Heron and Robin Williamson at their most adventurous. Includes the songs 'Dust Be Diamonds' and 'Big Ted'. Warner. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

More Myths from Hippie Central. Great Stuff........2005-06-05

I'm still amazed.......2003-08-25

THE BEGINNING OF CHANGES..........2003-03-12

overall Incredible String Band rating.......2001-03-01

A Classic never fades.......2000-08-19

Average customer rating:

How Beautiful she is....

Changing Horses
The Incredible String Band
Manufacturer: Elektra
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004U90N
Release Date: 2000-05-29

Tracks:

Big Ted
White Bird
Dust Be Diamonds
Sleepers, Awake!
Mr. and Mrs.
Creation

Album Description

Fourth single off the Italian/Icelandic alternative vocalist's Roland Orzabel produced debut album 'Love in The Time of cience'. Tracks 'Easy In The Sunshine' (Acoustic), 'Easy In The Rain' (Acoustic), 'Easy' (Video Version) and the CD-ROM video for the title track. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

How Beautiful she is...........2004-01-11

IF you didn't realize what a beautiful voice she had on Merman and Love in the time of Science, one should have by now realized the passion and depth within her upon listening to Gollum's song. Stop comparing her to Bjork and Emiliana will gain the notoriety she so deserves.

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