Bye & Bye (Purple Vinyl 12")

British folk-rock group Heron was formed in suburban Maidenhead in 1967, when guitarist/pianist Roy Apps and singer Tony Pook began playing with guitarist Robert Collins, inspired by Dylan and the Incredible String Band, with Collins soon replaced by the guitarist and mandolinist Gerald T. Moore. The rare 12-inch 'Bye & Bye' featured Moore's wistful wish for the romance of travel, his heart-broken 'Through And Through' and an unusual reading of Dylan's 'Only A Hobo,' plus Pook's contemplative 'I'm Ready To Leave.' Airplay was considerable, but a delivery strike rendered the release unjustly obscure; this long overdue reissue ably emphasizes the band's musical excellence and their unique take on folk-rock.