Smiling Men with Bad Reputations

Updated on Nov 26, 2024

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Released April 30, 1971 Artist Mike Heron Producer Joe Boyd		Length 45:39 Release date 30 April 1971 Label Island Records

Recorded December 1970, Sound Techniques, Chelsea, London Smiling Men with Bad Reputations(1971) Mike Heron's Reputation(1975) Genres Rock music, Folk music, Folk rock Folk music albums Rise Up Like the Sun, Wee Tam and the Big Huge, Changing Horses, No Ruinous Feud, Earthspan

Mike heron 1971 smiling men with bad reputations

Smiling Men with Bad Reputations is the 1971 solo debut album by Mike Heron of the Incredible String Band (ISB).

Listeners of The Incredible String Band can look here for what would be Heron's influence on future ISB albums. The trademark folk and Celtic style remained intact, but Heron added his own influences of progressive rock to the repertoire. This, more or less, was his attempt at creating a commercialized sound to his music. Tracks like "Feast of Stephen" are clear evidence that Heron desired to create rock-orientated pieces. Still, Heron had folk pieces with tracks like "Flowers of the Forest". Heron's output would continue to show a trend in this direction for much of his solo career, and his remaining time with the ISB.

"Warm Heart Pastry" finds Heron backed by Pete Townshend, Keith Moon of The Who, and Ronnie Lane of Small Faces (as Tommy & The Bijoux).

The 1991 reissue features two bonus tracks, with Jimmy Page guesting on "Lady Wonder" and Elton John on "Make No Mistake".