Early dates - from the Turks Head warm-up gig to Maidstone
The middle leg - from Liverpool to the QE Hall
Finishing in style - from Worcester to Newark
Strawbs 2000 Tour Dates
HAZLITT THEATRE, MAIDSTONE, 29 APRIL 2000
Saw the lads at Maidstone in May 2000 nearly 25 years after the last time I saw them. They were a class act then and still are, have maintained a faultless live performance, memorable and exciting. What a contrast to the insipid overmarketed teenage groups that infest today's charts.
After many years of meaning to see them live I actually got round to it and saw them at the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone. I thought they were brilliant and even my wife who normally hates them thought that live they were exellent. I just wish I had seen them earlier in my life. Met Dave Lambert after the show and he seems a really nice bloke. We hope to see them again sometime
Saw the Maidstone gig, two hours of sheer magic, long may it continue. Love the new look site.
My dad a fan of 30 years, and me a fan of 3 (I'm 16) were thrilled that the Strawbs came to play in our own home town (Maidstone). I had the greatest time of my life! (so far :-)) We had such a great time that we're going to try and catch them again at Burgess Hill.
MARINA THEATRE, LOWESTOFT 28 APRIL 2000<
I could not believe the tour date list when it included my home town of Lowestoft, the first visit by the Strawbs and not the last I hope. The show started with Hud and John and a song by Dave Lambert, then came an absolutely stunning acoustic set, it was flawless, masterful and was indeed supreme musicianship, with Dave Cousins singing at his best. My sister in law said after the first half had ended, anyone coming in off the street and seeing the Strawbs for the first time would think 'world class'.
I feel that how Dave Cousins was telling everyone to go and see Fairport Convention's acoustic show ( I have and it's good) its time Dave the Strawbs did one. However I do not wish to take anything away from the second half because it was the Strawbs at their very best: it was excellent in content especially with the inclusion of "Simple Visions", "The Winter and the Summer" and the wonderful "Burning For Me" - Dave Lambert's haunting guitar playing on "Burning" was superb. It was great to see Dave back in the line up, linking up in fine style with Brian Willoughby.
I have never heard Dave Cousins sing so well. He gave an outstanding performance and to me he is one of the finest singers around, simply because he is a singer with an actor in his voice, who can go from softest tones to highest drama with such ease. He has always surrounded himself with the finest musicians and this was much in evidence during this excellent evening's entertainment.
Hi, I went to your gig in Lowestoft Marina Theatre and I loved it. Afterwards we went into the bar and I personally got all of your autographs - thanks a lot guys!
[The Lowestoft concert] was superb and took several of us back to 73 at the Theatre Royal Norwich, (one guy even brought his old programme)! Dave Cousins voice is as good as ever. Talking at the interval, there were reservations about the first two songs. It was lovely to talk to Hud after the show as well. I'm afraid I probably ran on a bit in front of Dave though, as I live in awe. Spent LOADS on CDs to save my albums, It's a pity the words are not there as well. It was always a nice thing about the albums.
We enjoyed the gig at the Marina Theatre on the 28th April. The set was just right with a mix of old songs and newer ones.I last saw the Strawbs in 1975 and hope it will be sooner before I see them again.
Keyboards: Blue Weaver
As for Kings Lynn except for the acoustic set:
Live Inside Your Hell Tonight [Lambert]
Heavy Disguise [Ford and Hudson]
The Winter And The Summer [Lambert with Ford,Hudson, Weaver and Willoughby]
Witchwood [full unplugged band and same acoustic set hereafter]
And the main electric set closed with Hero And Heroine (no Round And Round reprise)
THE NEW STABLES, MILTON KEYNES - 27 APRIL 2000
Dave Cousins commented that the Strawbs were honoured to be the first band (other than the proprietors who opened it) in the New Stables at Wavendon. The old Stables venue was never a favourite venue for - the stage was cramped, much of the audience sat on either side of it, and many had their view restricted by huge concrete pillars. The acoustics may have worked fine for jazz, but they did amplified bands like the Strawbs no great favours. The new Stables is a spectacular improvement - they've knocked down most of the old building, which now forms a corridor from the bar to the huge high open auditorium, with a stage at one side. There's still seating to either side, offering side views only (apologies to the lady sitting opposite who caught the brunt of some of the photography going on) but it's raked so everyone gets an excellent view; and the sound is spectacularly improved.
Obviously there's a bit more work to do outside the auditorium (interesting makeshift lighting and bare walls and brickwork),but it'll be absolkutely splendid when it's finished (another gents would be good - you normally see ladies queueing for the loo - here it's the other way round!). A small refinement, but much appreciated -the merchandise stall was in an excellent spot and was pretty busy, with boys coming out to sign stuff and chat at the end of the show. A fantastic makeover - best congratulations to the Stables.
After the Easter layoff, there are a few colds and sniffles, but the set mirrors Kings Lynn, with the welcome addition of a song from Hud and John - "Heavy Disguise" slotted in between Lambert's opener and "The Winter And The Summer". My spies tell me that Hudson-Ford might have some other surprises later on in the tour.
"Dave Cousins is in the building", quips John at the end of "Winter", and after a brief pause for effect, he's on stage to start up with "Witchwood". Dave's intro to "Queen Of Dreams" now includes an anecdote about the mime artist who accompanied the number on stage the few times they did it way back when.
Photos by Kevin West
Back in the electric set, Brian and Dave Lambert's lead duets in "Down By The Sea" and "Sheep" now seem effortless, and they've dropped the reprise to "Round and Round", so that "Hero and Heroine" now ends the main set.
Overall, a highly promising start to the main leg of the tour - slightly, but only slightly, behind Kings Lynn in polish and performance. The near capacity audience weren't however in any way short-changed and they clearly enjoyed the gig - Strawbs Y2K are every bit as good as expected.
Photos by Kevin West
Fantastic, absolutely brilliant. It's good to see the boys back and in good shape. I was lucky to be in the audience at The Stables Milton Keynes 27/4 and was so pleased to see this particular line up together. I would particularly like to commend to you Dave Lambert who's guitar and indeed vocal talents were very much appreciated by this particular fan. If you look at their most successful albums, (apart from GNW) his contribution to the overall sound of the band are nearly as important as the main man himself!
Unfortunately work commitments kept me away from QEH but I was there in spirit at least! My only gripe was that for a band that built it's songs around DC's voice and that fine 60's icon the Mellotron, I was disappointed that they weren't using one, or even apparently not even using one of the excellent sample machines that are around today. I know that there are not that many working machines around nowadays, and they are rather temperamental but I feel better effort should have been made to re-create the original sound as much as possible. I have an original machine that has been fully restored, so if you want a machine for any other special gigs boys..........
Milton Keynes gig was absolutely tremendous - one of the best gigs I have seen there. Even better than last year's tour. The addition of Brian was certainly worthwhile - not that Dave L is a slouch mind you! When they both got going it was stunning - "Down By the Sea" I think it was. These lads can really rock. Unfortunately my seat position meant I couldn't hear Blue -which is a shame as he's a great player. But it did mean getting a close up on Brian's finger playing. Keep on going lads - you get better all the time.
Keyboards: Adam Wakeman
Live Inside Your Hell Tonight [Lambert]
The Winter And The Summer [Lambert with Ford, Hudson, Wakeman and Willoughby]
Witchwood [full unplugged band hereafter]
Queen Of Dreams
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Hangman And The Papist
New World
Out In The Cold/Round And Round
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Tears And Pavan
Simple Visions
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
On My Way
The River/Down By The Sea
Heartbreaker
Lay Down
Part of the Union
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round [reprise]
Burning For Me
Sheep
CORN EXCHANGE, KINGS LYNN 21 APRIL 2000
The Corn Exchange (nice venue!) was treated to the first outing for the full scale Strawbs' "unplugged" first act set - the night before in Beverley saw a couple of numbers from Cousins & Willoughby and then Dave Lambert - nothing from Hud and John (shame!).. Of course it was only the first time round for most of the gig for Adam Wakeman, standing in for Blue again at Kings Lynn as he had at Beverley the night before. He nonetheless acquitted himself with honour.
The unplugged set opens with just Dave Lambert, decked out in white suit, with his acoustic guitar, singing a new composition "Live Inside Your Hell Tonight" - he explains at Milton Keynes that it is in part inspired by the Sunday Sport. The audience takes a moment to recognise the opening sequence of "The Winter And The Summer", whilst the rest of the bands (sans Cousins) take up their places to provide tastefully restrained backing for the rest of the song. A welcome return.
Dave Cousins joins the band to introduce the arrangement of "Witchwood" which was introduced to the set back in '98. A lengthy introduction for the next piece: some numbers were difficult to do live back in the 70s - lots of effects and strange noises which relied on road crew playing tapes at the correct time (or otherwise!). "Queen Of Dreams" follows - I like very much what they've done to it - a mimimalist guitar figure by Cousins to start, the first verse almost accapella. The guitar riff which on record finishes the song off occurs between verses, on the second riff Lambert picks up the ebow to mimic the Cousins electric dulcimer solo. The last verse IS accapella, with only organ to pick up the closing line of the verse. The bit at the end ("I had no head for heights") moves to the end of the second verse before the riff. Lucky they're not used to playing it the "album" way round! Back to the Witchwood for "A Glimpse Of Heaven", and then the set closes with "Hangman and the Papist".
Back in the bar, after class is dismissed by Cousins, the general view is that the acoustic set is a great success. It's great to hear the vocals coming through so loud and strong without being swamped by the electric instruments, especially Lambert's which are particularly clear throughout the set. A groundswell of opinion (particularly from my wife!) that "Heavy Disguise" would be nice and that the lack of a spot by John and Hud was a glaring omission.
Back for what Dave referred to as "the noisy parts", the Strawbs have obviously conquered any hesitancy on the new numbers which might have been apparent at the warm-up gig - an impressive achievement in the circumstances. "New World" is slotted in as the opening number, followed by "Out In The Cold/Round and Round". The other "new" songs (well, new to this incarnation of the band anyway) have been spread around the set, with "Heartbreaker" moving down the setlist to come after "Down By The Sea" and before "Lay Down" rather than being tacked onto the end of "Out In The Cold/Round And Round" (at the Turks' this made for a very long intro number indeed!).
Photo by Kevin West
"Simple Visions" was even more polished and offers a nice change of pace between "Tears and Pavan" and "Josephine". "On My Way" remains mid-set, and is fast becoming a favourite of mine. Lambert comments that the audience might spot a few differences between this treatment and the Sandy Denny version, and recalls the Twickenham heckler a couple of nights before who declared he could spot four! "Burning For Me" which needed kickstarting at Twickenham, is promoted to be the first of two encores, the other being "Sheep", a pairing which works well. "Burning" once again features the haunting Ebow sound and Dave's vocal soars above the simple but effective keyboard backing.
Thoroughly enjoyed the King's Lynn Concert. Have spent the day listening once again to all my Strawbs albums. Thanks for the memories. You were as good as ever.
Photos by Kevin West
Keyboards: Adam Wakeman
You Never Needed Water (Cousins & Willoughby)
Beat The Retreat (Cousins & Willoughby)
Framed (Lambert)
Live Inside Your Hell Tonight (Lambert)
Hangman And The Papist (Cousins, Willoughby, Lambert)
New World
Out In The Cold/Round And Round
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Tears And Pavan
Simple Visions
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
On My Way
The River/Down By The Sea
Heartbreaker
Lay Down
Part of the Union
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round [reprise]
Burning For Me
Sheep
PICTURE PLAYHOUSE, BEVERLEY - 20 APRIL 2000
Just got back from Beverley, where we had a marvellous time. The gig had everything - quaint venue with no dressing rooms, seats on the stairs, ladies toilet behind the stage, Yorkshire hecklers, the gorgeous Adam Wakeman (not just reducing the average age of the band Dave!), new T-shirt, and absolutely wonderful music. Four concerts now in 2 years - I'm in seventh heaven!
Keep up the good work.A really impressive site with so much information. I saw The Strawbs at the Picture Playhouse Beverley on the 20th April, they were fantastic, they sounded just as I remembered them on the Bursting at the Seamsand Hero and Heroine tours all those years ago. I look forward to seeing them again in the near future.
Just got back from a great gig. A really surprising and unusual setlist. Lambert is incredible!! They're all incredible!! Another case of post Strawbs gig euphoria! The only downside was that some drunken cretin got up and left shouting at the band "I saw you in Harrogate in 73...**!!!!!!" and carried on shouting obscenities. John Ford and Brian seemed rattled but played on. It was during Josephine which was perhaps too sensitive for the likes of that guy. Adam Wakeman played instead of Blue, but you probably already know that. He was great and received rapturous applause.
I'd be grateful if you'd mention to the band how much my Dad and I enjoyed it - despite the cretinous heckler!! My only disappointment was that Hudson & Ford did not do any numbers other than Union & Tears & Pavan. I dearly wanted to hear Heavy Disguise or some of the Hudson Ford stuff.
I had the pleasure of seeing the lads perform last Thursday at Beverley. Absolutely brilliant performance, one of the best I've seen. Had a very interesting chat to Brian at half time and after the concert. Please pass on my congratulations to all the Strawbs and add Beverley to your list of future tour venues, it was much appreciated.
Photos by Alison Brown
Keyboards: Blue Weaver
Guest appearance: Tony Hooper, gtr, vcls *
Out In The Cold/Round And Round/Heartbreaker
Burning For Me
Sheep
Tears And Pavan
Simple Visions
The Winter And The Summer
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
On My Way
The River/Down By The Sea
I Only Want My Love To Grow In You
Lay Down
Part Of The Union
Hero And Heroine/Round And Round [reprise]
A Glimpse Of Heaven *
Oh How She Changed *
TURKS HEAD, TWICKENHAM, 19 APRIL 2000
After a slightly shaky start, Strawbs opened proceedings for the 2000 tour in fine style at their favourite warm-up venue, the Turks Head in Twickenham. Owing to time restrictions they were only playing one set, which missed out a few numbers (no time tonight for "New World" and "Hangman") to be included in the two sets they will be playing on the rest of the tour. Nevertheless, we were promised that there'd be some changes rung on the repertoire for this tour and they started to deliver on that promise as soon as they stepped onto the stage. Dave Cousins was resplendent in a black shirt with huge scarlet sunflowers on it: he confessed later that he'd been swindled into buying a ladies blouse and, as the buttons did up the wrong way, he'd had to ask Dave Lambert to do him up.
Opening, unusually, with a black Gibson acoustic rather than his trusty Ovation, Dave started with "Out In The Cold" which after an almost note-perfect rendition on lead guitar from Dave Lambert, segued into "Round and Round" slightly hesitant keyboard-wise, but Dave nevertheless in fine vocal form. That in turned segued into a Dave Lambert showcase the high-energy "Heartbreaker", proving that Strawbs' front vocal line works just as well with Lambert leading and Cousins providing backing vocals.
Another surprise followed "Burning For Me" certainly new to this line-up and still to bed down fully Lambert creating the long drawn-out wails using an e-Bow on his trusty black Les Paul. (Both guitarists are truly men in black both Dave and Brian in black from top to toe with black guitars, in Brian's case a Fender Strat).
Next, back on familiar ground with "Sheep", reintroduced to the set for last year's tour, Strawbs kicked up a few gears and visibly relaxed into the show . "Sheep" just gets better and better: this is probably the best performance to date in my view. "Tears and Pavan" followed, then another welcome re-entrant to the set was "Simple Visions." In the mid 80s when they played this, John Ford used to pick up the Ovation acoustic, but, spoilt for choice for guitarists these days, Willoughby handles the acoustic chores and Ford, noticeably changed in appearance since last year having switched from blond to dark hair, delivers the punchy thudding bassline, Hud doubling up on bass drum and tambourine.
Quietening down for Dave Lambert's "The Winter And The Summer", with Lambert taking up the acoustic, Dave moves to an open tuning for "Josephine For Better Or For Worse", with Willoughby taking the opportunity for a blistering solo. Staying in the Strawbs' historic repertoire, another surprise: Dave announces that the next number was the first they ever recorded, "On My Way". On record this was a light acoustic number; for this tour, Dave has recast it (as with "Josephine", "Tell Me What You See In Me" and others) to make best use of the current line-up. It's a bouncy rocked-up version, which would make an excellent single. I caught Tony Hooper's eye in the audience, who was grinning broadly in approval. I was told later by John that Dave had told them: don't think Sandy Denny, think Rolling Stones!
"The River"/"Down By The Sea" Lambert and Willoughby effortlessly trading riffs in the closing instrumental break, was followed by the hits "I Only Want My Love To Grow", "Lay Down" and "Part Of The Union", then the last number "Hero And Heroine", which, harking back to 1975/76 tour setlists, ran in turn into a reprise of "Round And Round" to finish the main set.
Encores were demanded and deserved. Dave called Tony Hooper up to join them, John moving towards centre to make room on the Turks' crowded stage, for "A Glimpse Of Heaven". The last encore outdid even that Tony, wearing those black round shades he did on the inner sleeve of the first Strawbs' album handling the lead vocals on a stellar rendition of the Strawbs' very first single "Oh How She Changed".
An excellent start to the tour, which will delight the fans and I'm told that, with longer sets and more room to breathe, there are a few more surprises to come !
Photos by Kevin West
The set list was quite a surprise - no songs at all from Grave New World, no "Hangman", no "Grace", no "Ringing", and instead a few from the Oyster years: "Simple Visions" - I'd forgotten what a strong song it is, and "Heartbreaker" - oh dear, "Lemon Pie" would have been much better, and "Burning For You" (excellent) instead. They also played "Oh How She Changed", and all the usual suspects from Bursting and Hero.
Dave Lambert seemed to enjoy himself - I'd never seen him live before, although I have seen the band about 7 times since the early 80s. He really attacked his guitar with Townshend-ian gusto, and his presence was presumably responsible for the radically altered set list. Dave C said they'd never played "The Winter and the Summer" before - but they certainly have as I have it on an Oh Boy Live CD. It's a shame they didn't attempt the guitar solo, but allowed the keyboards to take precedence instead.
It's a shame [John Ford] didn't get to sing any more, wasn't he the original singer on "Lady Fuschia" (which they didn't play)? It would have been good to hear "Heavy Disguise" instead of "Round And Round" (for the second time!) Oh well, you can't please everybody can you?! Thanks for the excellent web site, through which I discovered the gig was on.
Just thought I'd let you know how truly excellent the gig at the Turks Head was. It featured songs from the early days right through to the Polydor period; including a two song encore with Tony Hooper. The sound set up was spot on and the set of songs was a great change to the previous set I'd heard too often before. Speaking to Hud afterwards he said that they still hadn't decided on the final set for the rest of the tour, so expect things to change; plus there is also a couple of solo/duo sets from Hud and John, Dave and Brian before the main set. Also (from another source) there may well be a surprise keyboard player at the QEH gig. Methinks I'll have to attend that one too. So if anyone e-mails about what are the band like these days, the expression "very warm faeces" comes to mind.