Good As Gone

Lost Recordings Of The Incredible String Band

This page lists recordings and television appearances that do not circulate among fans and are presumed lost, as well as recordings that are only rumoured to exist or to have once existed. These were previously part of The Live, Unreleased And Rare List but have been moved to a separate page to clarify what is and isn't in circulation. A few recordings are featured in both lists, for instance where an audio only recording of a television appearance exists, or where more songs were believed to have been recorded but are now presumed lost.

Red text denotes a song not officially released on an original ISB album.
Green text denotes a version considerably different from that officially released.
Asterisks ****** denote an unconfirmed guess at the titles of a set of jigs or medley, based on similar set lists from the time.
All dates use UK/European DD.MM.YY format.

[ Pre-ISB ] [ 1966 ][ 1967 ][ 1968 ] [ 1969 ][ 1970 ][ 1971 ] [ 1972 ][ 1973 ][ 1974 ]

1967

Julie Felix 'Once More With Felix' Pilot Show, Summer/Autumn 1967

  1. Little Cloud (Heron)
  2. ****** Unknown Title ******
Source : BBC Television

Notes : Issue 8 of 'Be Glad' included a picture of Robin and Mike being filmed for 'Once More With Felix', taken from the pop music section of the 1967 Grolier Year Book. By the look of the instrumentation (guitar and hand drums) and the capo position, Raymond Greenoaken surmised that they were playing 'Little Cloud'. This picture of the band has subsequently been found to have appeared on the cover of the October 1967 edition of Wireless World magazine. The 'Tech Ops Nostalgia' site states that the show was an advance proving test for the BBC's first large colour studio. The 'Music Pictures' photo library has another photo from this session with both of them playing guitars, so at least one other song must have been performed.


'Late Night Line-Up', Autumn 1967

  1. Chinese White (Heron)
  2. The Hedgehog's Song (Heron)
  3. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : BBC Television

Notes : Possibly still exists in the BBC vaults. From the memories of ISB list members, the usual format of this late night BBC2 arts/current affairs programme was for the musical guests to perform a song each night Moday to Thursday. If this was the case, then the band must have performed two more songs, which we can guess may well have been Robin's compositions. It's thought that these appearances most probably date to around September 1967.

1968

Julie Felix 'Once More With Felix', 3.2.68

  1. Three Is A Green Crown (Williamson)
  2. Geordie (Trad.) [ Lyrics ]
  3. See All The People (Heron)
Source : BBC Television

Notes : An audio only recording of this appearance is on the 'You Get Brighter' bootleg tape, but no video footage has surfaced as yet.


Royal Festival Hall, London, 30.3.68

  1. Noah And The Dove (Williamson/Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  2. Mercy I Cry City (Heron)
  3. See All The People (Heron)
  4. Three Is A Green Crown (Williamson)
  5. The Head (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  6. A Very Cellular Song (Heron)
  7. Douglas Traherne Harding (Heron)
Source : Be Glad For The Song Has No Ending Film

Notes : 'A Very Cellular Song' was filmed but doesn't feature in the film, whilst of the other tracks, only 'See All The People' (as featured on the 'Be Glad For The Song Has No Ending' album) and 'The Head' (the poem included as an insert to 'Wee Tam And The Big Huge') are featured in their entirety.

According to Peter Neal's interview, included as a bonus on the DVD, they filmed around 40 minutes of concert footage, most of which was televised within a few months of the concert (as an edited rough cut). Presumably this is the folk music documentary shown on the BBC that he mentions in an interview in 'Be Glad' magazine.

Further information from Raymond: The film was premiered at the Tyneside Film Theatre in Newcastle in November 1969 as part of the Pop Goes TFT season. There were two showings, one in the afternoon and the other (which I attended) in the evening. At that stage the final editing had still to be made: there was neither title sequence nor credits sequence, and we were warned there might be occasional intervals of blank screen (there weren't). I remember the Cellular Song "intercut" sequence, which memorably featured Robin playing bongoes and puffing a kazoo simultaneously, and making lascivious noises into the microphone for the amoeba squelch effects. Presumably the Cellular Song sections were deleted before general distribution.

1969

Live In The Studio Recordings, Sound Techniques, Chelsea, Early 1969

  1. All Writ Down (Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  2. The Iron Stone (Williamson)
  3. A Very Cellular Song (Heron)
Source : Be Glad For The Song Has No Ending Film

Notes : A live in the studio 'A Very Cellular Song' was filmed but doesn't feature in the film, although it is heard as backing to the interview sections. The other two songs are featured in full.


Julie Felix 'Once More With Felix', 15.2.69

  1. All Writ Down (Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  2. Fine Fingered Hands (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
Source : BBC Television

Notes : An audio only recording of this appearance is on the 'You Get Brighter' bootleg tape, but no video footage has surfaced as yet.


Woodstock Festival, Bethel, New York, 15.8.69

  1. Invocation (Williamson)
  2. The Letter (Heron)
  3. Gather Round (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  4. This Moment (Heron)
  5. Come With Me (Williamson)
  6. When You Find Out Who You Are (Williamson)
  7. The Half Remarkable Question (Williamson)
  8. Sleepers, Awake! (Heron)
Source : Woodstock film out-takes

Notes: Videos in circulation on line include full versions of 'The Letter' and 'When You Find Out Who You Are', plus partial versions of 'Invocation' and 'This Moment'.

'The Letter' and 'When You Find Out Who You Are' are included on the 2009 Rhino six CD boxset 'Woodstock - 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm', the booklet of which confirms they also performed 'Gather Round' and 'Come With Me'. 'Gather Round' was initially mooted to be included on the boxset, but was sadly left off, though thankfully it now circulates on line in mp3 format.

Previous reports that David Nigel Lloyd, a long time friend of Robin's, was shown film of a partial version of 'The Half Remarkable Question' by David Helfand, have now proven false - it was actually 'This Moment'. However, Robin himself has since said they performed one of their best ever live versions of the song at Woodstock, without using the sitar...

The Bethel Woods Center For The Arts web site has a set list for the ISB that includes 'Sleepers, Awake!', though no further evidence for it's inclusion is given.


Texas International Pop Festival, Lewisville (near Dallas), 31.8.69

  1. Waiting For You (Williamson)
  2. Black Jack Davy (Heron)
Source : Soundboard Recording

Notes : These two tracks appeared on the 'Let The Universe Roll' bootleg tape, sourced from a bootleg 3-CD boxset of the festival, believed to have been issued by the Luxembourg-based 'Oh Boy!' label. These were the only two String Band tracks included. After extensive enquiries, original 'Be Glad' editor Andy Roberts tracked down the bootleg manufacturer, who confirmed that they had the full ISB set and were willing to come to an 'arrangement' with it. Unfortunately they were shut down shortly afterwards, so this arrangement was never made. Hopefully the tapes will surface again one day. Film of this performance is known to exist, Lisa Law, then a member of The Hog Farm commune, shot around eight minutes of silent film of the band. A bootleg video from the festival, Got No Shoes, Got No Blues, released by Whoopy Cat Records, mentions the ISB in the opening credits but they are not seen or heard in it. This is not believed to be the finished version of the film, which was withdrawn before completion, so the producers may have intended to include footage of the band in the final cut.


City Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, 26.10.69

  1. ****** Untitled Instrumental (Possibly a long instrumental introduction to 'Maya') ******
  2. Maya (Williamson)
  3. Come With Me (Williamson)
  4. The Letter (Heron)
  5. This Moment (Heron)
  6. Black Jack Davy (Heron)
  7. Big Ted (Williamson)
  8. Pictures In A Mirror (Williamson)
  9. Waiting For You (Williamson)
  10. Gather Round (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  11. Queen Juanita And Her Fisherman Lover (Heron) [ Lyrics ]
Source : Previously said to be catalogued as existing in the vaults of Island Records, but currently appears not to be

Notes : This information was posted to the ISB mailing list by 'Be Glad' editor Raymond Greenoaken, who describes it as the best String Band concert he ever saw. The track listing is purely from Raymond's memory, which he admits maybe incorrect. The untitled instrumental was introduced as a short instrumental, but may be the extended instrumental introduction to 'Maya' as heard on some other contemporary shows.

1970

U, The Roundhouse, London, 8 to 18.4.70

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : TVX Video Co-Op

Notes : According to Radical Software (specifically PDF pages 1 and 2), an experimental video magazine from around 1970, the TVX video co-op filmed the ISB and Stone Monkey performing 'U' at the Roundhouse for two hours over three reels of 1/2" Sony 625 tape. The man behind the camera was none other than John 'Hoppy' Hopkins, who, amongst other things, had previously played piano on 'The Mad Hatter's Song' on the band's 'The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion' LP. Unfortunately Hoppy has no idea where the tapes are and presumes they are long since lost.


U Rehearsals, Fillmore East, New York, April 1970

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Jackie Cassen video footage

Notes : According to Radical Software (specifically this PDF), an experimental video magazine from around 1970, Jackie Cassen filmed the ISB and Stone Monkey rehearsing 'U' at the Fillmore East on 1/2" Sony tape. As they were performing this at the Roundhouse in London between the 8th and the 18th, and then at the Fillmore East between the 23rd and 26th, the rehearsals are likely to have been some where between these dates. It is not known whether this footage still exists.


WMCA, New York, 25.4.70

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : WMCA Radio, NYC

Notes : Page 37 of the New York Times from this date carried the following listing - "Radio - Talk, Sports, Special Events 11-1 am WMCA: Alex Bennett. Mike Heron of the Incredible String Band and Mike Jahn, rock critic and others, guests". What music, if any, this featured is unknown as it is not in current circulation.


'I Looked Up' US Radio Advertisement, June 1970

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Elektra Records advertisement produced by Hastings Baker

Notes : The Google Books Billboard issue for 13.06.70 mentions Hastings Baker producing six 60 second radio spots for Elektra Records. One of these was for the ISB, presumably for their latest LP of the time, 'I Looked Up'.


NCRV-TV, 25.09.70

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Dutch Television Station NCRV-TV

Notes : The Google Books Billboard issue for 10.10.70 states that the band appeared on (Dutch) NCRV-TV on 25th September, though the 22.08.70 issue states that they'd be doing a concert and TV show in Holland on 1st October. The 'Be Glad' site diary section lists 'Holland. Gigs and television' on the 1st, whilst Wolfgang's site's concert list has 'Netherlands, gigs and television ??? (Beglad)' on the 4th. In all cases no further information is known.


'Beat Club', 24.10.70

  1. Everything's Fine Right Now (Heron)
  2. Empty Pocket Blues (Palmer)
  3. ****** Jigs - Chief O'Neill's Favourite (Trad.)/The Mountain Road (Michael Gorman)/Rags And Tatters (Trad.)/Unknown Reel (Possibly Appalachian) ******
Source : German Television Station Radio Bremen

Notes : 'Everything's Fine Right Now' is officially available on the 2007 Orange DVD 'Beat Club Progressive Times Vol. 3 1970' (Orange 28203). Information circulating online in an 'Unseen Beat Club' document, suggests versions of 'Empty Pocket Blues' and a set of 'Irish Jigs' were also recorded. These weren't broadcast at the time and are not currently in circulation, though they possibly still exist in the Radio Bremen vaults.

1971

Birmingham Town Hall, 8.10.71

  1. Log Cabin Home In The Sky (Heron)
  2. Living In The Shadows (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  3. The Sailor And The Dancer (LeMaistre)
  4. Lowlands Away (Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  5. Evolution Rag (Williamson)
  6. Adam And Eve (Williamson)
  7. You Get Brighter (Heron)
  8. Jigs - The Bird That Lives On Rain/Yellow Flames Of Whin/Jenny In The Mosshouse/Drunken Black Winter (Williamson)
  9. How We Danced The Lord Of Weir (Williamson)
  10. Play Poem Music (Unknown)
  11. The Actor (LeMaistre/Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  12. Cajun Song (Trad./Williamson)
  13. Sunday Song (McKechnie/Heron) [ Lyrics ]
Source : Audience Tape

Notes : One of Paul Bryant's long lost audience tapes. Last seen flying back to California with his ex-wife, Candy Cave, when they parted in 1974. 'Sunday Song' was the mythical lost 11 minute version with Robin playing cello.

1972

Southampton Guildhall, 25.2.72

  1. This Moment (Heron)
  2. El Ratto (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  3. Banks Of Sweet Italy (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  4. Down Before Cathay (LeMaistre)
  5. Restless Night (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  6. Untitled Instrumental In Three Movements (Heron)
  7. Sea White Horses (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  8. Jigs - The Bird That Lives On Rain/Yellow Flames Of Whin/Jenny In The Mosshouse/Drunken Black Winter (Williamson)
  9. Flowers Of The Forest (Heron)
  10. Oh Did I Love A Dream (LeMaistre) [ Lyrics ]
  11. Moon Hang Low (Williamson)
  12. Antoine (Heron)
  13. Secret Temple (McKechnie/Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  14. Feast Of Stephen (Heron)
  15. Long Long Road (Heron) [ Lyrics ]
Source : Audience Tape

Notes : One of Paul Bryant's long lost audience tapes. Last seen flying back to California with his ex-wife, Candy Cave, when they parted in 1974.


Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham, 10.3.72

  1. This Moment (Heron)
  2. Banks Of Sweet Italy (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  3. Down Before Cathay (LeMaistre)
  4. Restless Night (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  5. Sea White Horses (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  6. Flowers Of The Forest (Heron)
  7. Moon Hang Low (Williamson)
  8. Secret Temple (McKechnie/Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  9. Feast Of Stephen (Heron)
  10. ****** Jigs - The Bird That Lives On Rain/Yellow Flames Of Whin/Jenny In The Mosshouse/Drunken Black Winter (Williamson) ******
Source : Audience Tape

Notes : One of Paul Bryant's long lost audience tapes. Last seen flying back to California with his ex-wife, Candy Cave, when they parted in 1974.


Bickershaw Festival, Lancashire, 6.5.72

  1. This Moment (Heron)
  2. Black Jack David (Heron)
  3. The Circle Is Unbroken (Williamson)
  4. Jigs - The Bird That Lives On Rain/Yellow Flames Of Whin/Jenny In The Mosshouse/Drunken Black Winter (Williamson)
  5. Everything's Fine Right Now (Heron)
  6. Won't You Come See Me (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  7. Secret Temple (McKechnie/Heron) [ Lyrics ]
  8. Feast Of Stephen (Heron)
  9. Medley: Job's Tears (Williamson)/Koeeoaddi There (Williamson)/A Very Cellular Song (Heron)
  10. Weather The Storm (Williamson)
  11. Jigs - Eyes Like Leaves/Sunday Is My Wedding Day/Drops Of Whiskey/Grumbling Old Men (Williamson/Trad.)
Source : Tape and/or film probably exist

Notes : This famously wet UK festival was organised by the later to be British TV personality Jeremy Beadle. In order to recoup some of the money he lost on it, a documentary was made in conjunction with Granada TV. 'Secret Temple' was apparently heard over the closing credits, though whether the band made any further contribution is unknown as the programme has not been retransmitted since then - it may well still sit mouldering in Granada's vaults. In addition, a local TV news report, from either BBC NW or Granada ITV, featured a reporter's voice-over about the festival with footage of the band in the distance, again performing 'Secret Temple'. This is believed to have been shown on the Monday following the festival (8.5.72). The BBC's on-line programme catalogue lists another programme about Bickershaw, part of the documentary series 'A Day In The Life', which is believed to also feature 'Secret Temple', both during footage of the band and as background music. Ozit Records 2007 'Bickershaw Festival 1972' DVD (OZITDVDNO6) includes grainy black and white footage of the String Band performing 'Weather The Storm'.


Ultrasonic Studios, Hempstead, NY, Early October 1972

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : WLIR-FM Radio, NY

Notes : The Google Books Billboard issue for 30.09.72 mentions upcoming live concert broadcasts on WLIR-FM, sponsored by Dr Pepper, including one by the ISB. This may or may not be a different show to the 'Warner Brothers Month' one on the 24.4.73. However, we know the band were in New York in early October 1972 as they played the Carnegie Hall on the 9th and My Father's Place on the 10th, 11th and 12th.


Birmingham Town Hall, 10.11.72

  1. Cousin Caterpillar (Heron)
  2. The Circle Is Unbroken (Williamson)
  3. Everything's Fine Right Now (Heron)
  4. Wild Cat Blues (Thomas 'Fats' Waller/Clarence Williams)
  5. First Girl I Loved (Williamson)
  6. Explorer (Heron)
  7. Weather The Storm (Williamson)
  8. Jigs - The Bird That Lives On Rain/Yellow Flames Of Whin/Jenny In The Mosshouse/Drunken Black Winter (Williamson)
  9. The Old Buccaneer (Williamson)
  10. Swipesy Cakewalk (Arthur Marshall/Scott Joplin)
  11. Giles Crocodile (Williamson) [ Lyrics ]
  12. Turquoise Blue (Heron)
  13. My Father Was A Lighthouse Keeper (LeMaistre)
  14. Hangman's Medley: Witches Hat (Williamson)/Koeeoaddi There (Williamson)/A Very Cellular Song (Heron)
  15. Jigs - Eyes Like Leaves/Sunday Is My Wedding Day/Drops Of Whiskey/Grumbling Old Men (Williamson/Trad.)
Source : Audience Tape

Notes : One of Paul Bryant's long lost audience tapes. Last seen flying back to California with his ex-wife, Candy Cave, when they parted in 1974.

1973

Southampton University, 17.2.73

  1. Cousin Caterpillar (Heron)
  2. Log Cabin Home In The Sky (Heron)
  3. Dumb Kate (Heron)
  4. Raga Tune (Williamson)
  5. Circus Girl (Williamson)
  6. At The Lighthouse Dance (LeMaistre)
  7. Second Fiddle (Duke Reid)
  8. Cold Days Of February (Williamson)
  9. Elite Syncopations (Scott Joplin)
  10. Maker Of Islands (Heron)
  11. Saturday Maybe (Williamson)
  12. Tear The Silk (Williamson)
  13. Medley: Douglas Traherne Harding (Heron)/You Get Brighter (Heron)/Dust Be Diamonds (Heron/Williamson)/White Bird (Heron)/Ducks On A Pond (Williamson)/Sleepers, Awake! (Heron)
Source : Audience Tape

Notes : One of Paul Bryant's long lost audience tapes. Last seen flying back to California with his ex-wife, Candy Cave, when they parted in 1974.


'Midnight Special', 11.5.73

  1. Black Jack David (Heron)
  2. The Old Buccaneer (Williamson)
Source : US NBC TV Broadcast

Notes : Possibly still exists in NBCs vaults. Details of this show are on the TV.com web site.


US Breakfast TV, Atlanta, April/May 1973

  1. Black Jack David (Heron)
  2. ****** Unknown Title ******
Source : US TV Broadcast

Notes : In an interview in 'Be Glad' issue 11, Malcolm mentions that the band appeared on breakfast TV in Atlanta, where they performed 'Black Jack David' (or something), and following a disastrous demonstration by the resident chef, an unscheduled bad version of something else from their current set! There's no mention of an Atlanta gig in Malcolm's diary of the 1973 'No Ruinous Feud' US tour, printed in 'Be Glad' issue 13, although there is a break between the 11th and 14th of May (the end of the tour). However, on April the 10th he notes "Last day in LA was spent watching the rain, but in the morning I was on television". Whether this was a different appearance or just confusion nearly thirty years on we don't know, however, in the interview he does say that the band did lots of TV and he is surprised that so little survives.


Swiss TV, Lugano, Late 1973 Or Early 1974

  1. Dear Old Battlefield (Williamson)
  2. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Swiss TV

Notes : An ISB list member recalls seeing the band on Swiss TV, around late 73-ish. It was on the French Swiss Channel, because Robin announced the songs in French, although to confuse the matter, Lugano is in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. He remembers them playing 'Dear Old Battlefield', that Graham was on lead guitar and that a Mini Moog synthesizer was also being used. Graham Forbes said, in an interview in 'Be Glad' issue 9, that "The ISB were not banned from TV in Europe as they were in Britain and I recall one TV show we broadcast over the whole of Europe. Just us, no chat, no twee folk singers - just the band doing an hour-long session". In addition, Graham has also commented "there was a really good ISB tv show we recorded in Lugano. I think Mark (Anstey, ex-manager of both Robin and the reformed ISB) has tried to get that one without success. I am sure we also did one in Rome. A live gig.". Presumably these are different to the 2.3.74 Danish TV special.

1974

Granada TV Show, Manchester, 18.2.74

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Granada ITV Regional TV

Notes : This date appears in the 'Be Glad' site diary section with no further information to corroborate it. It's possible that this was a broadcast of the 1972 Bickershaw Festival documentary.


Danish TV Special, Copenhagen, 2.3.74

  1. ****** Unknown Titles ******
Source : Danish TV

Notes : This date appears in the 'Be Glad' site diary section and says that the band were invited back after their gig at the Falkonerteatret, Copenhagen on the 16.1.74.