UNIVERSAL JAPAN CD REISSUES, 2018

A splendid package of LP facsimile CD reissues of all 9 of the A&M Strawbs albums in an attractive slipcase, with all original inserts etc. included, along with a Japanese booklet with sleeve notes and lyrics and mockups of the original Obis on the original Japanese vinyl releases. Very attractive - the track listings are the same as the UK CD releases in 1998 and 2008 (apart from Bursting At The Seams and Hero And Herine (see the 2018 reissues page for details), though it looks as though the music (or at least the original album tracks) has been re-transferred from analogue master tapes and remastered by Universal Tokyo - reportedly the best sounding Strawbs CDs to date!

These releases are appearing on Ebay as individual purchases with a very few 9CD promo box sets - snap them up before they go!

For more details and comments see the 2018 reissues page

ELECTRIC GIGS

CANADA GIGS, OCTOBER 2018

Wednesday 10 October - Maison de la Musique, Le Palais Montcalm, Quebec City QC
Thursday 11 October - Club Soda, Montreal QC
Friday 12 October - Centre for Performing Arts, Oakville ON
Saturday 13 October - Peters Players, Gravenhurst ON
Sunday 14 October - Hugh's Room, Toronto ON
Monday 15 October - Hugh's Room, Toronto ON
Tuesday 16 October - Aeolian Hall, London ON
Wednesday 17 October - Cultural Centre, Midland ON

Click here for full details of venues and tickets.

UK GIGS, NOVEMBER 2018

Wednesday 14 November - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester
Thursday 15 November - Robin 2, Bilston
Saturday 17 November - HRH Prog, Pwhelli
Sunday 18 November - Corn Exchange, Hertford
Monday 19 November - Public Halls, Harpenden
Wednesday 21 November - The Pier, Worthing
Thursday 22 November - The Brook, Southampton
Friday 23 November - The Astor, Deal
Saturday 24 November - Waterside Arts Centre, Sale
Sunday 25 November - Cheese and Grain, Frome
Monday 26 November - Under the Bridge, Chelsea

UK ACOUSTIC GIGS, 2018

Friday 9 November - Baptist Church, Emsworth
Saturday 1 December - GB Folk Festival, Skegness
Sunday 2 December - GB Folk Festival, Skegness
Monday 3 December - Arts Centre, Barnoldswick

ON THE BLUE CRUISE, FEBRUARY 2019

10-15 February 2019

Visiting Nassau/Paradise Island, The Bahamas and a private island Labadee.

As well as the Strawbs, bands include:
* Justin Hayward
* The Zombies
* Todd Rundgren
* Dave Mason
* Steve Hackett
* Alan Parsons
* Procol Harum
* Al Stewart
* Wishbone Ash
* Poco

For more details:
http://onthebluecruise.com.

US ELECTRIC GIGS, APRIL 2019

Friday 12 April - YMCA Boulton Center, Bay Shore NY
Saturday 13 April - Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair NJ Sunday 14 April - TBA
Monday 15 April - TBA
Tuesday 16 April - TBA
Wednesday 17 April - Lovin Cup, Rochester NY
Thursday 18 April - TBA
Friday 19 April - Towne Crier, Beacon NY
Saturday 20 April - Sellersville Theater, Sellersville PA

50TH ANNIVERSARY

Friday 26 April - 50th Anniversary weekend, Lakewood NJ
Saturday 27 April - 50th Anniversary weekend, Lakewood NJ
Sunday 28 April - 50th Anniversary Weekend - Sunday Brunch, Lakewood NJ (VIP tickets only)

Further details of what is planned for the weekend will be released in due course - plans look impressive, with a number of line-ups and guests - I'm certainly going to be making the trip, as the Strand is one of my favourite venues in the world.

VIP tickets

This from Ray Coles who is organising the 50th event at the Strand Theater in Lakewood NJ:

Celebrate 50 years of Strawbs and be a part of history during this three-day celebration of the folk/rock/prog legends, hosted by founding member Dave Cousins. For this epic festival, Strawbs past & present are joined by special and surprise musical guests, including a full symphony orchestra for a gala event that will showcase every era of Strawbs music: folk to Ferryman; acoustic to electric; the subtle to the symphonic.

The Strand is offering a limited Strawbs Golden VIP Package, ultra-deluxe access to this once-in-a-lifetime 50th Anniversary experience. Included is:
choice premium seating for both performances at the historic Strand Theater;
drink vouchers good for four free drinks (two per day) from The Strand's full Gallery bar;
exclusive souvenir laminate lanyard;
Sunday brunch with Strawbs and their guests on April 28, 2019 at Ramada Hotel in Tom's River, NJ.

With fans from all over the world expected to attend Strawbs 50th Anniversary Weekend, this VIP package will sell out quickly!

You can buy VIP tickets at:
https://strand.org/get-tickets/.

OTHER LIVE SHOWS

Check out the tour dates page for upcoming gigs for Hud, John Ford, Dave Bainbridge and Craig & Willoughby.

HUDSON FORD - DAYLIGHT CD

News that the fourth Hudson Ford album will see the light of day on CD - Daylight was released by CBS after Hudson Ford parted company with A&M. More news as I get it.

CHERRY RED RECORDS TAKING OVER WITCHWOOD MEDIA CATALOGUE

After licensing new album "The Ferryman's Curse" to Cherry Red Records for wider exposure, the Witchwood Media directors have finalised a transaction with Cherry Red where the label takes over the WML back catalogue for further exploitation in the future. Dave will be liaising closely with Cherry Red to make sure future releases

Chairman of Cherry Red Iain McNay marked the signing last Thursday with a post on his Facebook page alongside a picture of him and Dave. Dave also attended as a guest at Cherry Red's 40th anniversary party a week or two ago, where Howard Jones was performing.