Friday 23 September 2022

Strawbs album by album

 

The Strawbs with Rick Wakeman

Folk, Folk-rock, Prog-rock, or Folk-prog?  I like the Strawbs. From The Witchwood is one of my favourite albums.  About time I took a closer look.  One thing is certain, the Strawbs are Dave Cousins. It's his voice, his songs, and his character and vision that drives the band.  

The band are best known either for the hit single "Part of the Union", or for their minor prog-rock period, starting with, and in particular the album Grave New World, or for being one of the early British folk rock bands, or for being the first significant band that Rick Wakeman worked with.  They were a prolific and flexible band for approx ten years - churning out at least an album a year from 1969 to 1978, and tending to be stylistically there or thereabouts in whatever prog related musical trend was current. Yet, apart from Witchwood, generally sounding quite minor and almost irrelevant. Their key period was '71 to '73 when they made  Witchwood, Grave New World, and  "Part of the Union". 


Wikipedia:

Strawbs (or The Strawbs) are an English rock band founded in 1964 as the Strawberry Hill Boys.[1] The band started out as a bluegrass group,[1] but eventually moved on to other styles such as folk rock, progressive rock, and (briefly) glam rock.

They are best known for their hit "Part of the Union", which reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in February 1973, as well as for "Lay Down", a popular progressive rock hit from the same LP. Strawbs toured with Supertramp in their "Crime of the Century" tour, doing their own "Hero and Heroine" tour, which drew musical similarities and themes

 AllMusic: 

One of the more unsung British progressive bands of the early 1970s, the Strawbs differed from their more successful compatriots -- the Moody Blues, King Crimson, Pink Floyd -- principally in that their sound originated in English folk music rather than rock. Their transformation from acoustic bluegrass outfit to progressive folk-rock innovators was an impressive feat, and they hit their stride with gems like 1972's Grave New World and its follow-up Bursting at the Seams. As the '70s wore on, the Strawbs' career began to falter with ongoing lineup and label changes marring their progress. They survived a breakup at the end of the decade and went on to enjoy a robust revival period in the mid-'80s that, while not quite up to the level of their peak years, helped carry them and their fans into the 21st century. The Strawbs of the 2000s were particularly prolific, delivering an array of studio albums including highlights like 2005's Painted Sky and 2009's The Broken Hearted Bride. Over the years, the group have managed to remain stylistically adventurous even on late-period outings like 2021's Settlement, released over 50 years after their debut.


Recordings

 
All Our Own Work (1967) 
Sandy (Denny) and The Strawbs 

Album recorded by Strawbs and Sandy Denny in Denmark in 1967, though not released until 1973 (on the budget Hallmark label). It's rather dull ordinary folk-rock tinged (drums, etc) folk, with mostly Denny's voice. Cousins' voice is not as impressive here as it is later, and as well as Denny, Cousins shares the singing with Tony Hooper, so there is a little too much variation across the album. It's listenable stuff, but rarely lifts into genuinely attractive or interesting. There's some quirky leftovers from the band's origins as a bluegrass group - such as the instrumental Wild Strawberries. 

Released1973
RecordedCopenhagen, Denmark, July 1967
GenreProgressive folk
Length32:56
LabelPickwick
ProducerGustav Winckler

Side one[edit]

  1. "On My Way" (Dave Cousins) – 3:03
  2. "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" (Sandy Denny) – 4:04
  3. "Tell Me What You See in Me" (Cousins) – 3:38
  4. "Always on My Mind" (Tony Hooper) – 1:51
  5. "Stay Awhile with Me" (Cousins) – 2:24
  6. "Wild Strawberries" (Cousins, Hooper) – 1:32

Side two[edit]

  1. "All I Need Is You" (Cousins) – 2:19
  2. "How Everyone But Sam Was a Hypocrite" (Cousins) – 2:43
  3. "Sail Away to the Sea" (Cousins) – 3:22
  4. "Sweetling" (Hooper) – 2:34
  5. "Nothing Else Will Do" (Cousins) – 2:13
  6. "And You Need Me" (Cousins) – 3:13


Additional personnel
  • Ken Gudmand – drums
  • Cy Nicklin – sitar
  • Svend Lundvig – string arrangements

Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 7 
Score: 4 

 
Strawbs (1969)

This is their official debut album, though they had recorded an album in Denmark with Sandy Denny in 1967 which was possibly not released (there is some uncertainty about this, but no album has turned up, so it appears not to have been). 

This is proper classic Strawbs. I've not heard this album before, but gosh it does sound like Witchwood era Strawbs (less Wakeman's keyboards).  I like this. I like it a lot.  Some great songs with thoughtful lyrics, such as "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus".  "Where Am I?" reminds me of  The Incredible String Band, which reveals a good influence.  There are some bloody good songs here, and an overall attractive sound. Nice job. 


Lyrics 

ReleasedMay 1969
Recorded1969
GenreProgressive folk
Length38:04
LabelA&M
ProducerGus Dudgeon

All tracks written by Dave Cousins, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" 3:53
2."That Which Once Was Mine" 2:49
3."All the Little Ladies"Cousins, Tony Hooper2:18
4."Pieces of 79 and 15"Cousins, Hooper3:00
5."Tell Me What You See In Me" 5:01
6."Oh How She Changed"Cousins, Hooper2:54
Side two
No.TitleLength
7."Or Am I Dreaming?"2:25
8."Where Is This Dream of Your Youth"3:06
9."Poor Jimmy Wilson"2:37
10."Where Am I? (I'll Show You Where to Sleep)"3:27
11."The Battle"6:34
A&M 2008 release bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Interview / That Which Once Was Mine"3:41
13."Poor Jimmy Wilson"2:28
14."The Battle"6:09


Strawbs
Additional personnel


Wikipedia 
Score: 7 

 Dragonfly (1970)

 Pleasant, though doesn't really grab the attention. I was very impressed by the debut album, but this one doesn't quite work for me. I recognise the cover - I may have had the album at some point, and then sold or traded it, or perhaps heard it at a friend's house. But as with the listening now, there was nothing to stick in the memory. It's not a bad album, but lacking in impact and memorable songs. Some of the ideas and themes are familiar from other Strawbs albums, and some almost work, but nothing really gains traction. 

Lyrics 

ReleasedFebruary 1970
Recorded1969
StudioIvar Rosenberg Lydteknik, Copenhagen; Morgan Studios, London
GenreFolk, folk rock
Length36:44
LabelA&M
ProducerTony Visconti

All tracks are written by Dave Cousins, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."The Weary Song"3:50
2."Dragonfly"5:34
3."I Turned My Face Into the Wind"2:42
4."Josephine for Better or for Worse"3:17
5."Another Day"3:16
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."'Til the Sun Comes Shining Through" 3:34
7."Young Again"Tony Hooper2:51
8."The Vision of the Lady of the Lake" 10:44
9."Close Your Eyes"Hooper0:56
A&M re-release CD 5302680 bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."We'll Meet Again Some Time" (Recorded at Trident Studios, London, June 1969) 3:13
11."Forever" (single release)Cousins, Hooper3:32
12."Another Day" (John Peel, September 7, 1969) 3:03
13."We'll Meet Again Sometime" (John Peel) 3:09

Strawbs
Additional personnel
  • Tony Visconti – Recorder on "Dragonfly and "Young Again"
  • Rick Wakeman – Piano on "The Vision of The Lady of the Lake"
  • Paul Brett – Lead guitar on "The Vision of The Lady of the Lake"
  • Bjarne Rostvold – Drums on "The Vision of The Lady of the Lake"


Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 6 
Score: 5

Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios  (1970)

Recorded during a concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 11 July 1970, and consisting (in the original release) of all new material, including a flamboyant display piece by new full time member Rick Wakeman. It works, and the harder, rockier line up is more arresting and commercial, and is the future of the band; though the band are not quite there yet. Wakeman has yet to be fully integrated into the folky essence of the band, though there are parts where he and the band do blend and work well, which points clearer to the next album, From the Witchwood. 


Released1970
Recorded11 July 1970
GenreArt rock, folk rock, progressive rock
Length40:44
LabelA&M
ProducerTony Visconti

Side one
  1. "Martin Luther King's Dream" (Dave Cousins) – 2:53
  2. "The Antique Suite" (Cousins) – 12:12
    "The Reaper"
    "We Must Cross the River"
    "Antiques and Curios"
    "Hey It's Been a Long Time"
  3. "Temperament of Mind" (Rick Wakeman) – 4:50
Side two
  1. "Fingertips" (Cousins) – 6:14
  2. "Song of a Sad Little Girl" (Cousins) – 5:28
  3. "Where Is This Dream of Your Youth" (Cousins) – 9:07
Bonus tracks

The following tracks are offered as bonus tracks on the A&M re-issue CD.

  1. "The Vision of the Lady of the Lake" (Cousins) – 10:03
  2. "We'll Meet Again Sometime" (Cousins) – 4:17
  3. "Forever" (Cousins, Tony Hooper) – 3:32 (studio) 



Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 6 
Score:  5 

  
From the Witchwood (1971)

One of my favourite albums. Apparently it was a difficult recording process with uncertainty over which tracks to include on the album, and with Rick Wakeman being absent for most of the recording with other work, having to add his keyboards later.  Cousins was keen to have Wakeman on board to broaden the sound of the Strawbs, and it works. 


ReleasedJuly 1971
RecordedFebruary–March 1971
StudioAir Studios, London
GenreProgressive rock, art rock, folk rock
Length38:11
LabelA&M
ProducerTony Visconti

All tracks are written by Dave Cousins, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Glimpse of Heaven" 3:50
2."Witchwood" 3:23
3."Thirty Days"John Ford2:52
4."Flight"Richard Hudson4:24
5."The Hangman and the Papist" 4:11
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Sheep" 4:14
7."Canon Dale"Hudson3:46
8."The Shepherd's Song" 4:34
9."In Amongst the Roses" 3:48
10."I'll Carry On Beside You" 3:09

A&M "Remasterpieces" CD reissue bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Keep the Devil Outside"Ford3:02

with:

  • The Choir and Congregation of Air Strawb - choir on "A Glimpse of Heaven"


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 8 
Score:  8 1/2

  
Grave New World (1972)

Generally regarded as the Strawbs best album, it is also their biggest seller, and a fan favourite, liked also by prog-rock fans.  It doesn't work as well for me as Witchwood; while I like the generally lighter/poppier feel to the music and lyrics, I'm a little put off by some of the trendy at the time studio doodles (backwards music, etc) which feel out of place with the general Strawbs ethos and sound rather dated, I'm not that impressed with the new keyboard player, Blue Weaver, who feels somewhat pedestrian after the irrepressible and exciting Wakeman, and Hudson's crashing, simplistic drums are too loud in the mix, and are everywhere!  However, the album is growing on me as I adjust to this new Strawbs, and I may well  end up liking it rather more than I do now.  "Tomorrow" grabs me - Weaver managing to match Wakeman in strength and width. It's an exciting song.  Indeed, I find Side Two to be more appealing to me than the more highly regarded Side One - perhaps because Side Two is more like the old Strawbs.  "Heavy Disguise" reminds me of Jethro Tull.   

I'm revisiting this album, and seeking out reviews which might give me a way into the album. But I'm still not quite getting what others are getting when comparing it to Witchwood.  The lyrics are weak. There are some reviews which view GNW as a concept album - with a story of a wanderer, or the belief that "Grave New World is a journey of a man's life from birth to death and the hardships inbetween". I can see why people would go down that route (three or four of the songs mention a wanderer, and there's a progression though the album of age, and toward the end there are a series of songs about looking back and welcoming the end of this life with a sense of something else beyond), but there's not a lot in the lyrics to really get a grip on. Cousins is  normally very good at telling a story, or capturing a mood or a moment, but here it's mostly rather vague and not fully embedded in the physical at which Cousin's is normally so strong. The strongest song for me, both lyrically and musically, is "Heavy Disguise". 


A film was made by TV director Steve Turner to promote the album. It was shown in cinemas. 
Here are some extracts I have found: The Flower And The Young Man; New World: Ah Me, Ah My; On Growing Older; 

ReleasedFebruary 1972
RecordedNovember 1971
Genre
Length36:31
LabelA&M (UK)
ProducerStrawbs

Side one

  1. "Benedictus" (Dave Cousins) – 4:24
  2. "Hey Little Man ... Thursday's Child" (Cousins) – 1:06
  3. "Queen of Dreams" (Cousins) – 5:32
  4. "Heavy Disguise" (John Ford) – 2:53
  5. "New World" (Cousins) – 4:11
  6. "Hey Little Man ... Wednesday's Child" (Cousins) – 1:06

Side two

  1. "The Flower and the Young Man" (Cousins) – 4:17
  2. "Tomorrow" (Cousins, Tony Hooper, Ford, Blue Weaver, Richard Hudson) – 4:49
  3. "On Growing Older" (Cousins) – 1:56
  4. "Ah Me, Ah My" (Hooper) – 1:24
  5. "Is It Today, Lord?" (Hudson) – 3:07
  6. "The Journey's End" (Cousins, Weaver) – 1:46

Bonus tracks - A&M 1998 reissue CD

  1. "Here it Comes" (Cousins) – 2:42
  2. "I'm Going Home" (Cousins) – 3:14


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 5 1/2
  
Bursting at the Seams (1973)

A popular album as it contains "Part Of The Union" (which I've always taken to be an ironic song, rather than one praising unions) and "Lay Down", which were both successful singles.  

There is little of the interesting folk/folk-rock Strawbs here, this is more of a steady pop-rock band. Listenable, but not engaging or interesting. 


Released1 January 1973
RecordedOctober - December 1972
GenreProgressive rock
Length40:29
LabelA&M, (UK)
ProducerStrawbs

Side one

  1. "Flying" (Dave Cousins) – 4:49
  2. "Lady Fuschia" (Richard Hudson, John Ford) – 3:59
  3. "Stormy Down" (Cousins) – 2:45
  4. "Down by the Sea" (Cousins) – 6:17
  5. "The River" (Cousins) – 2:21

"Down by the Sea" is placed after "The River" on the 1998 CD

Side two

  1. "Part of the Union" (Hudson, Ford) – 2:54
  2. "Tears and Pavan" – 6:35
    "Tears" (Cousins)
    "Pavan" (Cousins, Hudson, Ford)
  3. "The Winter and the Summer" (Dave Lambert) – 4:07
  4. "Lay Down" (Cousins) – 4:31
  5. "Thank You" (Blue Weaver, Cousins) – 2:11

Bonus tracks - A&M 1998 remastered CD

  1. "Will You Go"(aka "Wild Mountain Thyme") (Francis McPeake) – 3:54
  2. "Backside" (Cousins, Hudson, Ford, Lambert, Weaver) – 3:49
  3. "Lay Down" (Single version) (Cousins) – 3:33


Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 5 
"Part of the Union" (1973)

  
"Lay Down" (1973)


Hero and Heroine (1974)

More Moody Blues than Strawbs, this doesn't attract me. The band have completely changed, with just Cousins and Lambert left from the previous album. Cousins appears to like the songs on this album, because many of them are among the songs most played live by the band. 

I like "Shine On Silver Sun", quite a pretty song.  "Hero and Heroine" is quite a ballsy song, but not quite up to the early Strawbs song stories, such as those on Witchwood.  

A listenable album, but it all feels rather second rate compared to the earthy, attractive and interesting early Strawbs, particularly Witchwood.   Side Two, which is the Cousins' written side, is the more attractive, and partly saves the album. 


ReleasedMarch 1974
RecordedNovember 1973, Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen
GenreProgressive rock[1]
Length39:36
LabelA&M, (UK)
ProducerDave Cousins, Tom Allom

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Autumn"
  • I. "Heroine's Theme"
  • II. "Deep Summer Sleep"
  • III. "The Winter Long""
John Hawken, Dave Cousins8:27
2."Sad Young Man"Rod Coombes4:09
3."Just Love"Dave Lambert3:41
4."Shine on Silver Sun"Cousins2:46
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Hero and Heroine"Cousins3:29
6."Midnight Sun"Chas Cronk, Cousins3:06
7."Out in the Cold"Cousins3:19
8."Round and Round"Cousins4:44
9."Lay a Little Light On Me"Cousins3:27
10."Hero's Theme"Lambert2:28

The following tracks did not feature on the original vinyl release, but were included as bonus tracks on the A&M reissue.

Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Still Small Voice"Cousins2:28
12."Lay a Little Light On Me (Early Version)"Cousins2:20


Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 4 

Ghosts (1975)

A robust album which, though very rocky, has a lot in keeping with the early Strawbs.  I'm liking this rather more than I thought I would. 


ReleasedJanuary 1975
RecordedJuly - September 1974
GenreProgressive rock
Length41:04
LabelA&M, (UK)
ProducerTom Allom

Side one

  1. "Ghosts" (Dave Cousins) – 8:31
    "Sweet Dreams"
    "Night Light"
    "Guardian Angel"
    "Night Light"
  2. "Lemon Pie" (Cousins) – 4:03
  3. "Starshine/Angel Wine" (Chas Cronk) – 5:15
  4. "Where Do You Go (When You Need a Hole to Crawl In)" (Cousins) – 3:02

Side two

  1. "The Life Auction" – 6:52
    "Impressions of Southall from the Train" (Cousins, John Hawken)
    "The Auction" (Cousins, Dave Lambert)
  2. "Don't Try to Change Me" (Lambert) – 4:28
  3. "Remembering" (Hawken) – 0:54
  4. "You and I (When We Were Young)" (Cousins) – 4:04
  5. "Grace Darling" (Cousins) – 3:55

Bonus track - A&M remastered CD

  1. "Changes Arrange Us" (Rod Coombes) – 3:55

Rod Coombes sings lead vocals on this track and plays guitar.



Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 6 

Nomadness (1975)

 Lambert leaves, and the band continues without keyboards, apart from a guest appearance by Rick Wakeman on "Tokyo Rosie".  There's nothing distinctive about this album. Some country music feel to it, but otherwise a fairly middle of the road Seventies band.  Listenable, but unremarkable, and rather run of the mill.  "Little Sleepy" sounds like The Wombles, and that's not meant as a put down. 


ReleasedNovember 1975
RecordedJune – July 1975
GenreRock
Length40:27
LabelA&M, (UK)
ProducerTom Allom

Side one

  1. "To Be Free" (Dave Cousins) – 4:17
  2. "Little Sleepy" (Dave Lambert) – 4:10
  3. "The Golden Salamander" (Cousins) – 4:57
  4. "Absent Friend (How I Need You)" (Cousins) – 4:42
  5. "Back on the Farm" (Cousins) – 2:42

Side two

  1. "So Shall Our Love Die?" (Cousins) – 3:39
  2. "Tokyo Rosie" (Cousins) – 2:48
  3. "A Mind of My Own" (Rod Coombes) – 4:33
  4. "Hanging in the Gallery" (Cousins) – 4:32
  5. "The Promised Land" (Chas Cronk) – 4:07

Bonus tracks - 2008 reissue CD

  1. "Still Small Voice" (Cousins) – 2:27
  2. "It's Good to See the Sun" (Cousins) – 4:05


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9 
Score: 5  

Deep Cuts (1976)

 A new record contract - Cousins has moved from A&M to Oyster Records. Some decent songs and overall inoffensive, but nothing really special. This does sort of present as rather average. Actually it has grown on me. Sweet songs. Not quite classic early Strawbs, but close! 

ReleasedOctober 1976[1]
RecordedSpring and Summer 1976
GenreProgressive rock
Length33:43
LabelOyster Records, (UK)
ProducerRupert Holmes

Side one

  1. "I Only Want My Love to Grow in You" (Dave Cousins, Chas Cronk) – 3:00
  2. "Turn Me Round" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:42
  3. "Hard Hard Winter" (Cousins, Robert Kirby) – 2:54
  4. "My Friend Peter" (Cousins, Cronk) – 2:15
  5. "The Soldier's Tale" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:15

Side two

  1. "Simple Visions" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:40
  2. "Charmer" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:13
  3. "Wasting my Time (Thinking of You)" (Cousins, Cronk) – 2:27
  4. "Beside the Rio Grande" (Cousins) – 4:18
  5. "So Close and Yet So Far Away" (Cousins) – 2:59

Bonus track - Japanese re-issue CD

  1. "You Won't See the Light" (Dave Lambert)

Additional personnel

Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 5 
Score: 6 
  
Burning for You (1977)

Somewhat naff minor popular prog-rock.  Parts of it remind me of  War of the Worlds, which would be released the following year, so the vibe was in the air. It's all quite listenable and decently done, but it's not for me.  Cousins had intended this to be his/Strawbs final album, with the last song being "Goodbye". 

Released1977
RecordedMarch 1977
GenreProgressive rock
Length36:29
LabelOyster/Polydor
ProducerJeffrey Lesser

Side one

  1. "Burning for Me" (Dave Cousins, John Mealing) – 4:01
  2. "Cut Like a Diamond" (Cousins, Chas Cronk) – 3:44
  3. "I Feel Your Loving Coming On" (Dave Lambert) – 2:56
  4. "Barcarole (For the Death of Venice)" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:25
  5. "Alexander the Great" (Cousins, Lambert) – 3:59

Side two

  1. "Keep on Trying" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:15
  2. "Back in the Old Routine" (Cousins, Cronk, Lambert) – 3:17
  3. "Heartbreaker" (Lambert) – 4:40
  4. "Carry Me Home" (Cronk) – 3:28
  5. "Goodbye (Is Not an Easy Word to Say)" (Cousins) – 3:44

Bonus track - Japanese re-issue CD

  1. "Joey and Me" (Cousins)

  • Dave Cousins – vocals (1–10) (lead vocals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10) acoustic guitar (2–4, 6–8)
  • Dave Lambert – lead guitar (1–6, 8–10), vocals (3–9) (lead vocals 3, 6, 7, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (5, 8), acoustic lead guitar (7)
  • Chas Cronk – bass (1–10), vocals (3, 4, 6, 7), acoustic guitar (7)
  • Rod Coombes – drums (1–3, 5–10)
Additional personnel
  • Robert Kirby – piano (3), synthesizer (3), orchestral arrangement (3, 9), electric piano (4, 6, 9), Mellotron (4–6, 8), clavinet (8), acoustic guitar (7)
  • John Mealing – piano (1, 7, 9, 10), synthesizer (1, 3–5, 8), Mellotron (3), harpsichord (2), tubular bells (3), organ (4), orchestral arrangement (1, 10)

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 4 
Score: 5 

  
Deadlines (1978)

Quite poppy prog-rock, reminds me of Supertramp.  This is a prolific and flexible band - churning out at least an album a year since 1969, and tending to be stylistically there or thereabouts in whatever prog related musical trend is current. Yet, apart from Witchwood, always sounding quite minor and almost irrelevant. This is (mostly) listenable, but there's nothing remarkable here. It passes comfortably under the radar, and is not distinctive enough to be cult.  "Deadly Nightshade" has something of the appeal of early Strawbs, but it's not enough to save it from the trash of tracks like "I Don't Want to Talk About It".  This was a new producer, new drummer, and record company for the band, Arista. 


Released3 February 1978
RecordedJuly – October 1977
GenreProgressive rock
Length37:51 (Original) 78:10 (Expanded)
LabelArista (UK)
ProducerJeffrey Lesser

Side one

  1. "No Return" (Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert) – 4:57
  2. "Joey and Me" (Cousins, Chas Cronk, Lambert) – 3:52
  3. "Sealed With a Traitor's Kiss" (Cousins) – 3:21
  4. "I Don't Want to Talk About It" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:56
  5. "The Last Resort" (Cousins, Cronk, Lambert) – 4:10

Side two

  1. "Time and Life" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:11
  2. "New Beginnings" (Cousins, Lambert) – 3:40
  3. "Deadly Nightshade" (Cousins) – 3:56
  4. "Words of Wisdom" (Cousins) – 5:48

Additional personnel

Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 4 
Score: 4 1/2  

Heartbreak Hill (1995)

Recorded in 1978, though not released until 1995 for uncertain reasons. Lambert only plays guitar on one track due to conflicts with recording his own solo album.  This is a decent album, and I can see why Cousins decided to release it through Road Goes on Forever. 


Released1995
Recorded1978
GenreProgressive rock
Length44:15
(51:38 inc. bonus track)
LabelRoad Goes on Forever
ProducerTom Allom


  1. "Something for Nothing" (Dave Cousins, Chas Cronk) – 7:23
  2. "Another Day Without You" (Cousins) – 2:57
  3. "We Can Make it Together" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:18
  4. "Heartbreak Hill" (Cousins, Cronk) – 7:31
  5. "Starting Over" (Cousins, Andy Richards) – 10:48
  6. "Two Separate People" (Cousins, Cronk, Richards, Tony Fernandez) – 2:55
  7. "Desert Song" (Cousins) – 4:19
  8. "Let it Rain" (Cousins, Cronk, Richards) – 4:04

Additional personnel
  • Jo Partridge – electric guitar, mandolin, vocals
  • Miller Anderson – guitar on track 3, vocals on tracks 3 and 8

Wikipedia  
AllMusic:  5 
Score: 6 

Don't Say Goodbye (1987)

Almost a ten year gap. This is the band's only 80s album. It doesn't appear to have been released on CD in the UK - there's nothing on Spotify, and I can only find two tracks on YouTube.  Another new band and new label, though Tony Hooper and Richard Hudson, who last played in the Strawbs in 1972, make a return. Difficult to give a score on hearing only two tracks, so defaulting to a 5. 

Released1987
Recorded1987
GenreSoft rock
Length41:05
LabelStrawberry Hill Productions
EMI Chord
ProducerStrawbs

Side one

  1. "A Boy and his Dog" (Dave Cousins, Chris Parren) – 5:06
  2. "Let it Rain" (Cousins, Chas Cronk, Andy Richards) – 4:55
  3. "We Can Make it Together" (Cousins, Cronk) – 3:33
  4. "Tina Dei Fada" (Richard Hudson) – 3:52
  5. "Big Brother" (Hudson) – 3:05

Side two

  1. "Something for Nothing" (Cousins, Cronk) – 6:35
  2. "Evergreen" (Cousins) – 4:47
  3. "That's When the Crying Starts" (Cousins) – 4:06
  4. "Beat the Retreat" (Cousins) – 5:06


Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 4 
Score: 5 
   
Baroque & Roll (2001)

This is a return to the original Strawbs approach when the band used only acoustic instruments and no drums, as on their official 1969 debut album. This is very nice. Controlled and mature, utilising what has always been the best of Cousins - his folky side.  Interestingly they also cover some older Strawbs songs, such as "Benedictus".  It's pleasant, but lacks energy and commitment. 


Released2001
RecordedJuly 2001
GenreFolk rock
LabelWitchwood Records

  1. "Tears and Pavan"
    "Tears" (Dave Cousins)
    "Pavan" (Cousins, Richard Hudson, John Ford)
  2. "Remembering" (John Hawken)
  3. "You and I (When We Were Young)" (Cousins)
  4. "Evergreen" (Cousins)
  5. "Ghosts" (Cousins)
    "Sweet Dreams"
    "Night Light"
    "Guardian Angel"
    "Night Light"
  6. "There Will Come the Day" (Cousins, Don Airey)
  7. "Not All the Flowers Grow" (Cousins)
  8. "Inside Your Hell Tonight" (Dave Lambert)
  9. "The Golden Salamander" (Cousins)
  10. "The River" (Cousins)
  11. "Down by the Sea" (Cousins)
  12. "The Flower and the Young Man" (Cousins)
  13. "Benedictus" (Cousins)
  14. "Alice's Song" (Cathryn Craig, Brian Willoughby)


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 6 
Score: 5 1/2 

Blue Angel (2003)

Lacks ambition. It feels as though Cousins has assembled some friends and musicians and is going through the motions; though I suspect he enjoyed it more than we do listening. It's not a bad album at all, just this sense of what was the point? He hasn't moved on, and he hasn't improved. His best stuff is now so far in the past it's just a fond memory. Who bought this album - and why? 


Released2003
RecordedOctober 2002
GenreProgressive rock
Length55:58
LabelWitchwood
ProducerDave Cousins, Brian Willoughby, Chas Cronk

  1. "Blue Angel" (Dave Cousins) – 11:13
    "Divided"
    "Half Worlds Apart"
    "At Rest"
  2. "Oh So Sleepy" (Cousins) – 3:44
  3. "Further Down the Road" (Cousins) – 3:25
  4. "There Will Come the Day" (Cousins, Don Airey) – 6:05
  5. "Strange Day Over the Hill" (Cousins) – 3:56
  6. "Cry No More" (Cousins, Brian Willoughby) – 3:18
  7. "The Plain" (Cousins) – 5:48
  8. "Do You Remember" (Cousins, Willoughby) – 3:12
  9. "Rhythm of the Night" (Cousins) – 3:19
  10. "Morning Glory" (Cousins) – 4:52
  11. "Sealed With a Traitor's Kiss" (Cousins) – 2:57
  12. "Lay Down" (Cousins) – 4:09

Additional personnel
  • Mary Hopkin – vocals (1,3,4,6,8,10,12)
  • Cathryn Craig – vocals (4)
  • Terry Cassidy – vocals (4)
  • Jana Heller – vocals (9)
  • Roy Hill – vocals (9)
  • Tommy Lundy – vocals (9)
  • Maddy Prior – vocals ("The King")
  • Rick Kemp – vocals ("The King")

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 5 
Score: 5 

 
  
Déjà Fou (2004)

Seemingly recognising that he has not developed, and has not moved on, Cousins firmly returns to his folk-rock past, assembling his ancient band members from the Seventies. He'd already used them, apart from keyboardist John Hawken, on a few tracks on the previous album, along with a variety of other Strawbs members, but here he is using them as a band to create a unified sound. I think at this stage he recognises that the pop, rock, prog-rock sounds he's used to expand his folk-rock sound has, on the whole, not made the Strawbs unique or significant. It's the early folk-rock, especially Witchwood, that mattered, as recognised in the name of  the record company Cousins created in 2001 to release Strawbs material: Witchwood Records. This, as with nearly all Strawbs albums, is pleasant enough and well done, but, as again with nearly all Strawbs records, it is lacking in significance, weight, and sufficient charm. 


Released30 August 2004
RecordedMay 2004
GenreBritish folk rock
Length57:15
LabelWitchwood
ProducerDave Cousins

  1. "Riviera dei Fiori" (Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert) – 1:43
  2. "Under a Cloudless Sky" (Cousins) – 5:16
  3. "Face Down in the Well" (Cousins) – 5:55
  4. "On a Night Like This" (Cousins) – 2:27
  5. "If" (Cousins) – 5:07
  6. "Cold Steel" (Lambert)) – 5:07
  7. "Sunday Morning" (Cousins, Lambert) – 3:24
  8. "This Barren Land" (Cousins, Lambert) – 4:47
  9. "When the Lights Came On" (Lambert) – 5:43
  10. "Russian Front" (Cousins, Chas Cronk, John Hawken, Lambert) – 5:40
  11. "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" (Cousins) – 4:14
  12. "NRG" (Cousins) – 4:09


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 6 
Score: 5 

The Broken Hearted Bride (2008)

Surprisingly good. I wouldn't say a return to form, as Cousins has never really strayed far from the form, but there is an energy and a commitment here that was distinctly lacking from the mid Seventies onward, but which seems to have been gathering strength since 2001 with a recognition by Cousins that his real strength is in his treatment of British folk rock with some prog rock arrangements.  I've never really been that comfortable with the wholesale prog-rock tag attached to the band since Grave New World, and feel that that album was an error from which the band struggled to  recover. If Grave had never been made I wonder where Strawbs would have ended up?  I think Lambert with his Roger Daltry style voice and Who style songs is not really helpful in creating a unified image of the band as a British folk rock band. 


ReleasedSeptember 2008
Recorded2008
GenreProgressive rock
Length59:25
LabelWitchwood
ProducerChris Tsangarides

  1. "The Call to Action" (Dave Cousins) – 7:38
  2. "Christmas Cheer (Everything's Going to be Alright)" (Cousins, Chas Cronk) – 4:39
  3. "Too Many Angels" (Cousins, Cronk) – 5:55
  4. "The Broken Hearted Bride" (Cousins) – 5:11
  5. "Shadowland" (Dave Lambert) – 4:48
  6. "Through Aphrodite's Eyes" (Cousins, Cronk) – 7:26
  7. "Deep in the Darkest Night" (Cousins) – 4:38
  8. "You Know as Well as I" (Lambert) – 3:44
  9. "Everybody Knows" (Cronk) – 4:30
  10. "Action Replay" (Cousins) – 4:54
  11. "We'll Meet Again Sometime" (Cousins) – 6:02

Additional personnel

Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 7
Score: 6 1/2 
 
Dancing to the Devil's Beat (2009)

Following the British folk rock informed by progressive rock stylings of the Seventies Strawbs this fits in well with the Strawbs output, though doesn't advance anything. When you first painted the bedroom pink and purple, 40 years ago, it looked fresh, pretty, and exciting, but repainting it the same shade of pink and purple every year since has not made the room any prettier, and the freshness and excitement have long since gone. I like this album - it has the strengths of a a good Strawbs album, but I can't see myself returning to it as I will to Witchwood. 


Released18 August 2009
RecordedApril 2009 – May 2009
GenreBritish folk rock
Length45:19
LabelWitchwood Media
ProducerChris Tsangarides

  1. "Revenge (Can Be So Sweet)" (Dave Cousins, Chas Cronk)– 5:18
  2. "Beneath the Angry Sky" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:29
  3. "Copenhagen" (Cousins, Cronk) – 4:46
  4. "Pro Patria Suite" – 7:44
    "Back Along (We Were Young) (Cousins)"
    "All for Each Other (Cousins)"
    "Home Is Where the Heart Was Ever" (Cousins, Oliver Wakeman)
  5. "Where Silent Shadows Fall" (Cousins) – 5:45
  6. "The Man Who Would Never Leave Grimsby" (Dave Lambert) – 5:01
  7. "The Ballad of Jay and Rose Mary" (Cousins) – 4:17
  8. "Dancing to the Devil's Beat" (Cousins) - 3:38
  9. "Oh How She Changed 2009" (Cousins) – 4:21


Wikipedia  
AllMusic: 7 
Score: 5
 
The Ferryman's Curse (2017)


An indifferent album. 


Track listing
In The Beginning/The Nails From The Hands Of Christ
The Song Of Infinite Sadness
The Familiarity Of Old Lovers
When The Spirit Moves
The Ten Commandments
The Reckoning/The Ferryman's Curse
Bats And Swallows
We Have The Power


Dave Cousins (vocals, ac gtr, autoharp)
Dave Lambert (vocals, el gtr)
Chas Cronk (bass, pedals, 12-string, vocals)
Dave Bainbridge (keyboards, guitars, bouzouki)
Tony Fernandez (drums, percussion)

StrawbsWeb  
AllMusic: -  
Score: 4 

Settlement (2021)

Has the sound of an older band/singer making their mature album, like Bowie or Cash. Cousins voice does sound very old (he was 76 when he made this album), and a little strained. When Bowie and Cash made their mature albums, their strained, elderly, weary voices were very much part of the package. And, yes, actually, that's the case here - the lyrics are concerned with age, but - unlike with Bowie and Cash, there is a lack of profundity.  It's an OK album, but doesn't reach out to me the way that Bowie and Cash have. 


Side A
Settlement (Cousins)
Strange Times (Cousins)
Judgement Day (Cousins)
Each Manner of Man (Cousins/Ford)

Side B
The Visit (Lambert)
Flying Free (Lambert)
Quicksilver Days (Cousins)
We Are Everyone (Cousins/Cronk)
Chorale (Cronk)

OFF THE BEATEN TRACKS (CD ONLY)
Champion Jack (Cousins/Bainbridge)
Better Days (Cousins)
Liberty (Cronk) 

Dave Cousins (vocals, ac gtr)
Dave Lambert (vocals, el gtr)
Chas Cronk (bass, pedals, 12-string, vocals)
Dave Bainbridge (keyboards, guitars, bouzouki, mandolin)
Tony Fernandez (drums, percussion)

with
John Ford (vocals, gtr)
Cathryn Craig (vocals)
Shalk Joubert (bs)


StrawbsWeb  
AllMusic: - 
Score: 5 

Discography



Above average albums: 

Summary 

The Strawbs are a minor Seventies folk-rock band with prog rock aspects. They are essentially Dave Cousins with a varying group of support musicians, some of whom have given more support than others. Their most notable member has been Rick Wakeman who was present for their most significant album, From The Witchwood, recorded and released in 1971. The follow up album to Witchwood was Grave New World, which is similar to Witchwood, though inclined a fraction more toward prog-rock, and gained a reputation for being a concept album - this album gained them attention, and is regarded by many as their signature and best album. Their next album was a little shaky, though was commercially successful due to two chart singles, "Part Of The Union" and "Lay Down", and which pointed toward their increasingly unsuccessful attempts for the rest of the Seventies to find and keep a wider audience. From 1969 they released an album a year with declining sales and interest until 1978; their output since then has been random and very occasional - one album in the Eighties, one in the Nineties, and then several in the 21st century. Cousins returned to his Seventies support musicians in the 21st century, with an increasing reliance on the folk-rock sound informed by prog-rock that he had developed in the early Seventies, then lost as he tried for a more pop-rock/commercial sound.  Their most famous song is one that is not at all typical of the band, and wasn't written or sung by Cousins, "Part  Of The Union" - a somewhat ambiguous song about trade unions, that is today regarded as a song in support of trade unions, though was likely more ironic and negative in intention when written.

Pretty much all of the band's output is professional, solid, and pleasant. Most of it is folk-rock informed by progressive rocks melodies and structures. Keyboards feature prominently. 


Voice/Musicianship (15)
Always professional, the singing and playing is competent and attractive. Cousins voice is suited to British folk rock, and can be quite telling and attractive. Their most notable musicians have been Wakeman and Weaver, both keyboard players.  [8]

Image/Star quality (5) 
They are very much in the minor league. Their only real hit was the non-typical and awkward "Part Of The Union". They don't have an image as such.  [2] 

Lyrics/Music (20)
Professional and workmanlike rather than adventurous or exciting; however, Cousins can write a solid folk lyric either as a physical observation  of a moment, or as a timeless and fascinating tale. The music is always reasonably pleasant, and can at times, such as supporting the lyrics of  "A Glimpse of Heaven" and  "Witchwood", be very effective.  [13] 

Impact/Influence (10) 
Sadly, they had no discernible impact or influence. [1]

Popularity (5) 
Sadly, apart from a minor short-lived period in the Seventies, they have not attracted a decent audience. [1] 

Emotional appeal (5)
Cousins can write and sing a decent song. [3]

Authenticity (15) 
Cousins did appear to want to attract a wider audience in the Seventies, though mainly he has followed his own interest in prog influenced folk rock. [10] 

Art (5) 
Yes. [3] 

Classic albums/songs (5)
Witchwood and possibly Grave New World. [2]

Originality/Innovation (5)
Cousins blended prog-rock with British folk-rock, though this was more or less the sound a number of bands adopted in the early Seventies. [2] 

Legacy (10) 
Barely noticed. [2] 

Total: 100

Final score: 48 

Links


* StrawbsWeb 
* Discogs
* OurStage blog article 
* BestEverAlbums 
* InTheBeginning 

***


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