Music / folk

Spirit of love


Reviews (4)


AllMusic

20??

By

By

Richie Unterberger

20??

"It's no surprise that this album can be recommended to Incredible String Band fans, as it features singer-guitarist Clive Palmer, who was part of the ISB on their debut LP. It's less expected, however, that the album can also be recommended to British folk-rock fans who might not necessarily be enamored of the Incredible String Band. It's low-key, almost to the point of being subdued, and melodic British folk with that quasi-psychedelic mystical tinge characteristic of ISB. Yet the vocals are more tuneful and soothing - if, undeniably, less adventurous ... The embellishments from John Bidwell's dulcitar, Indian hand organ, and recorder - as well as occasional cello, haunting vocal harmonies, and the clever a cappella trio vocals of "Wade in the Water" - play a large part in the record's modest triumph".


Folk radio UK

d. 12. Apr. 2021

By

By

Richard Hollingum

d. 12. Apr. 2021

"For an imperfect perfect glimpse into the past, and for its paradoxical timeless quality, succumb to the spirit of love, either, like me, again, or for many of you, for the first time. Excellent".


Folking.com

d. 4. Apr. 2021

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By

Bill Golembeski

d. 4. Apr. 2021

"Spirit Of Love sings with sadness; it sings with aged folk barreled John Barleycorn ale; it touches deep forest fears; and it conjoins the beauteous colours of an agrarian past with modern folk song tunes that still worship the weather, sing love songs that simply want the sacred crops to continue to melodically grow, and then dance under all the stars in the sky that spin like a really nice record from long ago that still, somehow, manages to bewitch with aged and worn tapestry magic - even after all these years".


Record collector

521 (2021 August)

By

By

Michael Heatley

521 (2021 August)

"The late Clive Palmer owed his fame to co-founding the Incredible String Band. Having fled to India after their first album, he returned to play with Wizz Jones, the Famous Jug Band and, in 1971, COB. This sought-after release was produced by Ralph McTell and certainly has Incredible overtones - the dulcimer-laced "Music Of The Ages" in particular ... The unfocused tracklisting veers from wacky instrumental "Banjoland" to the gospel-like, a cappella "Wade In The Water", yet under McTell's guiding hand the "loose and undisciplined" studio atmosphere yielded magic. Rarity may have added lustre to this album, revered by Damon & Naomi and Johnny Marr among others, but its reissue confirms its classical status".