Bein Inn, Glen Farg, Perth, 18 Aug 2001

Kirby, Perth and Edinburgh

Edinburgh, 20-22 Aug 2001

RATTAN AND RUSH, KIRKBY STEPHEN, 17 AUG 2001

IT'S AN ILL WIND - Review by John Graham Smith

This was the first Strawbs gig I've been to which was sold out. I was really lucky to have been able to buy "music only" tickets (the real deal included a sit down meal). Having said that, there were only about 50-60 people in the Rattan and Rush, which is a tea room/wholefood shop in a Cumbrian market town. It was slightly bizzare to be watching the concert on a large video screen (my view of the stage was restricted to say the least) surrounded by groceries. The set list was pretty much as that posted for the White Bear but starting from "Benedictus" - presumably there wasn't enough space on stage to do the DC/DL and DL/BW sections which would have involved swapping over.

What do the acoustic Strawbs sound like? It shouldn't work - can you imagine "Ghosts" and "Down By The Sea" without keyboards bass and drums? And yet the sound created by those three acoustic guitars is incredible. Les Cotton knows more about guitars than I do and can possibly explain it, but it works really well. "You and I (When We Were Young)" is actually better than the Ghosts version. I could try to pick out personal highlights from the concert - but would be in grave danger of reproduucing the set list. Suffice to say I was really disappointed to hear them start "Lay Down" - not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I knew it would be the last number. I was wrong though - they were persuaded back for "The Man who Called Himself Jesus".

All that remained was to buy the Baroque & Roll CD - and to thank Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Brian Willoughby for a great night. Dave Cousins told me that they started the concerts with the three of them because he had sprained his wrist so badly he couldn't hold a guitar and he had had to ask Dave Lambert to help at a concert he and Brian had arranged. From that we have had this mini tour, a new album and a UK tour next January/ February. It's an ill wind....

Had the pleasure of meeting Witchwooder Graham Smith and friends at the R&R, I agree completely with Graham's review, absolutely spine chillingly great music! We watched on a big video screen in the smaller of the two rooms there. Can't add much really, the two Dave's vocal harmonies were perfect, "The Flower And The Young Man" is astounding vocally, on the tech side guitar-wise, Dave Lambert played some great acoustic slide on some tracks, along with some brilliant Hendrix-esque double-stops (think Little Wing, Hendrix/SRV) on "Josephine", and Brian's beautiful country-tinged multi-finger runs on "Ghosts" and "The River"/"Down By the Sea".

BEIN INN, GLEN FARG, PERTH, 18 AUG 2001

PARTY ATMOSPHERE - Review by Les Cotton

After the splendid Friday gig at the Rattan & Rush, it was off on the long drive to Glen Farg, near Perth, Scotland for the second gig. The venue, the Bein Inn, is to say the least isolated. We had tried to book a room to stay there, but as they were full, we settled for two gig tickets and booked in a Hotel in Glen Farg, three miles (?) up the road. To cut a long story short, the only local Taxi firm wanted EIGHTEEN POUNDS for the less than three mile trip! As I certainly fancied a beer or three, driving was a no-no.....so a great thanks to Glen Farg Hotel owner Steve, who took us (free) in his own car to the Bein Inn......and (what a great list we have..) even better, we met fellow Witchwooder Nigel and partner at the venue. Nigel was in his car, and staying in the same hotel as us! So, safely back too, what a good do.

The Bein Inn concert room is a 60 seater, very relaxed complete with Candles and soft lighting, with a very compact stage. There was a great party atmosphere, and the band were clearly having a great time, Dave's customary narrative as hilarious as ever ("The Zimmerframe Tour"..). Sound was impeccable, vocals crystal clear, all guitars equally mixed. The capacity audience were all silent and spellbound. As my wife pointed out, the opening chords / harmonies to "Witchwood" give you goosebumps everytime, stunning even after a thousand listens. The acoustic setting gives all the songs enormous emotion...I was lucky enough to speak with all the band individually after the gig, they kindly signed my CD Cover. Dave Lambert said they were all greatly enjoying the acoustic sets, but stressed the "Electric" band would remain as a separate project.....and you heard it here first, Brian said 2002 should see some full band gigs in the latter half of the year, as that's the earliest they can all get together. I asked why "Alice's Song" was not in tonights set, they decided its a bit too complex, missing the banjo etc. of the recorded version. Also no DL songs tonight, probably easier for all three to play together for the full set.

Dave Cousins tell me he is delighted with Baroque & Roll, "best we've recorded for some time" so he should be, it's magnificent. We had a laugh about the inspiration for the album name....(see my Strawbsweb Derby Flowerpot review from May 2001..!!)...and I can confirm they ALL read the Website. I praised the excellent live mix of tonight's gig...DC said it's down to Dave Lambert, adjusting levels as he plays!....and so he was. Highlights for me, the truly haunting "Witchwood", and "Flower and the Young Man", with an excellent acoustic "Ghosts", Brian taking the keyboard riff on the top strings, upper frets, and some great duelling twin lead and harmony guitar from Dave L and Brian on "River/Sea"....and if anyone knows what "Golden Salamander" is about, tell Dave C, cos he says he hasn't a clue!

Dave Cousins' brother was at the gig, thoroughly enjoying it, and by the end of the night, modelling the splendid "Baroque & Roll" teeshirt!

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, followed into the early hours by more drinking at our Hotel, with Nigel and some unnamed local fans we met.

KIRBY STEPHEN, PERTH AND EDINBURGH, AUG 2001

AND I WOULD WALK 1200 MILES .... - Review by Nigel Bennett

Have just returned from a trip to the North to see the acoustic version of the Strawbs and in the course of the trip established two personal firsts, more of this later.

Firstly Rattan and Rush, Kirkby Stephen. [For running order click here.] An appreciative and capacity audience, it was sold out weeks ago - meant I had to settle for a "music only" ticket but this did not detract from the evening's entertainment. Arrived just before the end of the second food course which allowed me to take a position side-on, to the Band and whilst not a prime position, it was good enough for a good view that was augmented, by a video projection on to the end wall for all those in the same area.

Now to the music. The evening opened with Dave C on dulcimer perched precariously on a stool (was it built for comfort?) "Benedictus" followed by the haunting "Witchwood" was a superb opening. Tremendous harmonies on "Flower And The Young Man" set the scene for "Tears And Pavan" which for me is better as an acoustic version. If I'm not careful here I will list each song and no-one will read Les's review. The real highlights were "Ghosts", "Josephine","The River"/"Down By The Sea" and "Simple Visions"the last-mentioned allowing Dave C to put down his guitar and speak with his hands (sorry that it was left out on night one at Edinburgh). The one real surprise was the inclusion of a rocky version of "On My Way" that worked really well and didn't Dave L attack that ! All in all an intimate venue and apparently, despite a problem in setting up the sound system a great start to the weekend's entertainment.

The next day was spent heading North and another venue of an equally intimate setting. In checking into the hotel 3 miles away from the venue, found that it was going to be populated by others out on a "groovy trip". (On returning from the gig at 12.30am the Bar steward seemed none too happy at having to re-open the bar, but for all those staying, just to let you know, he was really laughing the following evening, so the effect did not last for too long.)

Now I spoke of firsts and this, if you like, was the first of the firsts (where did I get that from?) Any way before Glen Farg I had never seen a performance outside of England so I was keen to know how the band would perform in the Northern climes. Before the gig the band were evident in the bar area and mixing with those around. A prolonged but casual glance by Dave C at the T.V.showing Match Of The Day (or its new equivalent) and a reminder (from my wife) that Susan George is now in East Enders was surely a cue for a song.....

What a night! [For running order click here.] Dave C was relaxed in cracking form from the start and interspersed vitually every song with a story line introduction. Brian was his usual masterful self and Dave L brought his own energy and aggression to proceedings.The playlist was the same as Kirkby except that "Golden Salamander" was restored to its place in the planned running order. The virtual capacity audience were captivated by the performance and if ever there was a gig to relive again it would be this one. Now talk about luck! I spoke to a couple who just happened to be in the area and were exiled Strawbs fans from college days. Turned up at the Bein on spec hoping to see something, only to find it hosting a performance by one of their old favourites. They were amazed at the performance and their luck.

There was one amusing moment in between songs during the performance when Dave C gave Brian a hearty pat on the back, indicating that he was making an erroneous change, only to be advised by a quiet word by Dave L , that Brian was right. Dave C announcing to the audience "Oh I seem to have made a mistake", chuckling as he went on.

Heading South and homeward now, but chance to take in the first night of Edinburgh. It was always a concern that a planned running time of an hour would put a damper on the evening with a number of songs not played. Having said that the quality was still there and everyone played and sang beautifully. This was the second of my firsts as I had never seen a gig start after midnight and this one just about did, finishing at around 1.15a.m., certainly the latest ( or is it earliest) finish, I have ever witnessed. It was really difficult to decide what time to go to the wine bar and what time to leave (advice next time please Dick) as come the hour, the trio seemed to have far more energy than me.

One moment of sublime humour at the start of the gig was when the announcer got slightly tongue tied with his introduction (glad to see it wasn't just me affected by the hour). He finally came out with "welcome to the a-caustic Strawbs". Dave C immediately remarking with humour "well we' ve been called some things, but never that" [Dave L countered with his usual dry wit, "Oh I think you have Dave " - DG]

All in all a 1200 mile round trip (well it would have been silly not to find a mountain distillery!). Fantastic performances, lots of memories and a couple more CDs to show. A few pleasant and unexpected surprises along the way made this a weekend to remember.

ASSEMBLY ROOMS, EDINBURGH, 20-22 AUG 2001

EDINBURGH NIGHTS - Review by Dick Greener

What can I say. Two nights into the Edinburgh experience, two excellent gigs. Dave Cousins in finest form chatting to the audience about the songs from the pool of pale blue light illuminating the stage as though the three of them were sitting in your living room, just running through a few songs for your personal enjoyment. With only an hour to fill, they've had to drop a few numbers, but the choice works out as a virtual travelogue, with Dave explaining which part of the world generated the inspiration for each song.

The first night saw a couple of teething problems, not least that the stools the venue had given them to perch on had been recently painted or varnished were not entirely dry and had stuck to the seat of their trousers. But the sound was excellent pretty much throughout, and the set was very warmly received. Only criticism is that Dave L's black guitar is very loud and tends to drown out some of Brian's "twiddly bits".

"Tears And Pavan", perfection as ever. "Ghosts" goes on from strength to strength – the interplay between Dave's chordal riff, Brian doing the bit which the keyboard normally takes, and Dave's lead guitar run is just perfect, and some of the slightly abrupt transitions between the segments have been ironed smooth. When they played "Lay Down" as their last number, I briefly wondered what they might do as an encore, but the rocked-up "On My Way" is a perfect closer.

The second night was fairly perfect, tight and very together, though I'd still crank Brian's guitar up a few decibels. Despite having been OK at sound check, Dave's dulcimer failed [a faulty battery, it turned out] so the second night crowd got "Witchwood" instead of "Benedictus". Otherwise the same mixture of stunning acoustic three-guitar interpretations of many of the seminal Strawbs classic tracks, which work fantastically well in a stripped down, back to basics setting.