ACOUSTIC STRAWBS - JAN/FEB 2002
STARTUP - 15 JAN to 23 JAN 2002
Part 1 - Swindon (15 Jan) to Haywards Heath (23 Jan)
Part 2 - Winchester (24 Jan) to Leek (31 Jan)
Part 3 - Hastings (1 Feb) to Birmingham (9 Feb)
Photos
Contents
Swindon Arts Centre, 15 Jan 2002
Hampton Hill Theatre, 16 Jan 2002
Darlington Arts Centre, 17 Jan 2002
Carlisle Folk Club, Coach House, Heads Nook, nr. Carlisle, 18 Jan 2002
The Met, Bury, 19 Jan 2002
Guildhall, Lichfield, 20 Jan 2002
The New Roscoe, Leeds, 21 Jan 2002
Town Hall, Cheltenham, 22 Jan 2002
Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, 23 Jan 2002
CLAIR HALL, HAYWARDS HEATH, 23 JAN 2002
IT COULD HAVE BEEN KINGSLEY ROAD IN 1968 .... - Review from Paul Brazier
It was about this time last night that we finally left Clair Hall in Haywards Heath, and, accompanied by the swish of wind-driven drizzle, staggered to the railway station and a train home to Brighton.
It was a very strange occasion for me. I used to know the Strawbs back in the White Bear in the late sixties, and then I went one direction and they went off to America. Next time I saw Dave was at the Riverside Studios in 1979 or 1980 on his first tour with Brian Willoughby and asked him to launch my new folk club at the Polytechnic of North London, and he agreed, and that was an awesome night too. And since then, nothing until I found this list a few weeks ago, found out about the Acoustic Strawbs tour, and went along last night.
I made contact with Dick Greener last night -- nice to meet you, Mr Dick -- and, after the gig was over, spent a few minutes with Brian and the two Daves.
Peculiar to report, I was in a very odd mood. I originally discovered this group because I was looking on the internet for old friends from the folk club circuit in the early 1970s. Derek Brimstone is still out there plugging away, and we all know what happened to Al Stewart, John Martyn, Max Boyce, Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrot and Mike Harding.
But what of the ones who never became famous, no matter how deserving. Who now remembers Mike Absalom, Four Square Circle, Mike Silver, Dave Blosse, John James, Jeremy Taylor, Hamish Imlach, Noel Murphy, Diz Disley, Isaac Guillory (I went to see Isaac at The Greys in Brighton within the past eighteen months, but he was a friend of a friend, so I never got to speak to him, and it was very upsetting to hear he died just before last Xmas)-- these just off the top of my head, there are more I want news of -- and my personal friends -- Brillo and his wonderful double bass playing? Graham Smith and his superb harmonica, and delightfully entertaining and witty songs (last heard of playing with his girlfriend as Daphne and the Tender Spots)? Or Colin Scot and his near equalling of Dave Cousins for raw emotion in performance? Scotty was never Dave's equal as a song-writer (although I loved his songs too), but his version of "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" (on his album "Out of the Blue", arranged by Brillo) was arguably as good as Dave's own for simple affecting emotion. I used to drive Scotty everywhere in the early 1970s if he was in London, and spent most evenings with him in one folk club or another when he was in town. So my joy at seeing DC again last night was more than a little tempered by being informed that Scotty was dead. No more than that. No-one knew any more. My old mate, gone! Does anyone else out there know any more? It is such a bald statement. He's dead! What happened to my old drinking buddy? Last I knew of him he was living in Amsterdam.
Anyway, Dave and Brian and Dave were superb. It would be fatuous to try to describe this gig in detail. Listen to Baroque and Roll, and if you like it even a small bit, imagine it in spades and you have some small idea of how wonderful they were last night. It came as no little shock to discover that the banjo Dave plays in Alice's Song is one he bought in Leeds on Monday, as he hasn't owned one for twenty-five years! Wasn't Dave Cousins once reputed to be Britain's greatest bluegrass banjo player? Go and see this gig, and if you can't, buy the CD and marvel. I took a lot of pictures last night, but there was a glitch with the camera, and many of them are ruined.
Meantime, if anyone knows of anyone who knows of anyone who knows of anything (small congratulations to anyone who spots whose song this is quoted from) I would be very pleased to hear about what happened to my erstwhile friends. No-one ever warned me that middle age would be so wrenchingly emotional. We should be glad Dave is still around, and still putting the alcohol away in a resolute manner. He had a bacardi breezer last night. for which he allowed me to buy a bacardi top. We invented a new drink -- the bacardi breezer top! He says he is still writing, and I am looking forward to hearing those songs sometime. Dave Lambert confessed to being quite exhausted by the concentrating he has to do. These are nice guys. Go and see them if you can.
Out of the door, into the drizzle and the driving wind, the street lights gleaming off the wet tarmac, it could have been Kingsley Road in 1968, except that now I don't drive after an evening drinking -- I have a beautiful wife to consider.
TOWN HALL, CHELTENHAM and CLAIR HALL, HAYWARDS HEATH, 22/23 JAN 2002
NEW CONVERTS FOR THE CAUSE - Review from Dick Greener
Well, round about this stage in a Strawbs tour, any rough edges there might have been in earlier gigs have been smoothed away and the act has settled down into a smoothly delivered and accomplished performance. And that's what we were treated to for two nights running at the above two venues.
Both halls were exactly right (in my view) for the Strawbs: I'm not a big fan of smoky music pubs, where you have to stand up all night to be able to see (often not much), and the Pillar Rooms at Cheltenham Town Hall in particular (apart from one aspect - see below!) is my ideal venue, especially for this acoustic version of the band: marble pillars, high ceilings, good sound and visibility. Simple black cloth behind the band, stage built along one side of the room - reminscent of good Edinburgh festival venues. Unusually at Cheltenham, Brian's guitar was louder for much of the time than Dave Lambert's (as Brian's brother was in the audience that night, I suspect a clandestine deal with the sound man though Brian assures me no money changed hands).
Clair Hall has hosted the full band in previous years, and I did wonder whether the three-man version might look a little lonely up there on the stage, but not, they had room to breathe and relax, no danger of Dave Cousins striking either of his cohorts during his evocative vocal pyrotechnics. Sound not bad, but not quite up to Cheltenham - the hall is a big venue and a bit boomy, and Dave Lambert's vocal mike was a little indistinct, even during his lead vocal pieces.
This far into the tour, it's clear they are already so comfortable with the material they can begin to add new instrumental flourishes as the tour develops. I'm pretty certain Brian had a new bit in the instrumental duetting which closes "Down By The Sea" - short choppy chords to balance Dave Lambert's "Crowded House" riffing. Lambert's double-strummed guitar thrashes are becoming more pronounced and dramatic in e.g. "Soldier's Tale" and "Simple Visions", which for me are in some ways the outstanding songs of this tour so far (the "deepest cuts" of all
That's not to downplay the rest of the set, of course. Dave's new banjo sounds far better than the borrowed instrument which he started the tour with, and "Alice's Song" is a real pleasure to listen to. I for one would like to see both banjo and dulcimer feature more in the set - shame just to bring them on for one tune each, Dave - what about considering "Flying" for the next tour and maybe something else on the dulcimer. Harmonies from Lambert are tight and strong and "Flower And The Young Man" continues to draw appreciative noises as the last notes of the acapella coda die away. And the rumbustious reworking of "On My Way" is always a particular pleasure.
Of the newer songs, "There Will Come The Day" has benefitted from a tighter delivery and now well deserves its place just before the epic "River/Down By The Sea" suite. And it's only because we're used to hearing such quality gems as "Witchwood", "Glimpse Of Heaven", "Benedictus" (oh that fuzz dulcimer solo!), and a note-perfect "Tears And Pavan" that they aren't worthy of comment in this review.
Tee, my wife, Lois, my sister in law and her daughter Victoria (who joined Tee and I for the Edinburgh gig last year) came to this one and all enjoyed it very much indeed. New converts for the cause.
But, Cheltenham! No bar after a Strawbs gig ? Are you mad ?
TOWN HALL, CHELTENHAM, 22 JAN 2002
Comments from Louise Richardson
This was the second concert that we have been to so far and yet again, superb. The Pillar Rooms in Cheltenham were very tasteful,and the Strawbs seemed very comfortable there ,a perfect place to listen to some tracks from Baroque & Roll. Acoustics were very good.Daves voice filled the room, "Alice`s Song", "The Golden Salamander", "You And I (When We Were Young)" and of course "Down By The Sea" stood out in my mind. Only hope we manage to get them to do "Evergreen" before the tour ends, as it is one of our favourite songs. Next stop, Banbury on Friday, what a great week we`ve had - Louise, Bob, Nick, Lin.
NEW ROSCOE, LEEDS, 21 JAN 2002
INFORMAL AND INTIMATE - Review from Alison Brown
It was with a little trepidation that I set off alone for my second (and final) gig of this tour to the New Roscoe in Leeds. An unknown pub in the north of the city centre, so it was with great relief that I spotted Neil from Glasgow, who I had met last year in Edinburgh, standing at the far end of the bar. Thanks Neil, for keeping me company and supplying the iced water!
The venue was a large room of the pub with a stage at one end and a bar at one side in the centre. The lads didn't take the stage until after 9pm so I wondered whether we might get a shortened set to fit in with pub closing time - I needed have worried, it was 11:45pm when they finished!
Dave C had bought a new banjo in Leeds during the day and very nice it was too. The only problem was he'd forgotten to tape the words to "Alice's Song" on the back - the resulting lyrics were interesting to say the least, prompting Dave L and Brian to quip afterwards to Dave that they thought they heard him get a couple of lines right.
The highlights were an excellent "Hangman" that raised the hairs on the back of my neck, "Simple Visions", which didn't stand out on first hearing at Darlington, another storming "The River/Down By The Sea" and once again "The Soldier's Tale".
A much more informal and intimate venue than Darlington, plenty of background noise from the bar but just as enjoyable an evening. I arrived home at 1:30am after a 60 mile drive, tired but elated after witnessing another magnificent performance from "two old men" and Dave C.
GUILDHALL, LICHFIELD, 20 JAN 2002
ORIGINAL YET REFRESHING - Review from Adrian the Rock
Just a quick few words about the Lichfield gig, I can't say too much because I'd had fairly nasty indigestion on Saturday night/Sunday and nearly didn't go. But in the end I decided I was not going to miss a gig I'd obviously been looking forward to.
The venue was a nice, traditional town hall with all the decor and trimmings, comparable in some ways to Huntingdon Hall in Worcester for those that know it. Perhaps the ideal setting for "Baroque and Roll" music!
The set list was pretty much the same as before, though I'm not sure if it was the same song Dave L and Brian played while Dave C nipped off - it wasn't anything I could immediately recognise. Having heard B&R, I was expecting the music would be tight and the sound clear, and I was not disappointed. It really is marvellous the way they've managed to arrange so many songs to sound at the same time both true to the original versions and yet in refreshing new interpretations. But my overall perception was the quality of Dave C's singing, which I thought was the best I've heard at any of the gigs I've been to over the last few years.
Looking forward to Derby tremendously...
Comments from Graham Eyres and Lyn Booker
Just a short note to say how brilliant the concert was. I have followed the band for 30 years and have never heard them better. Dave C. in fine voice ("Simple Visions" was a real treat) and great musicianship from all three. Lyn was very impressed as she has only seen the electric version. Best bits ? "Ghosts", "Down by the Sea", "Benedictus" (first Strawbs' song I ever heard) "The Winter and the Summer"....I could probably quote the setlist !! Suffice to say we are hoping to go to Birmingham or Derby to relive it all again. They even signed my CD sleeve to make our night complete.
Comments from Louise Richardson
Great night at Lichfield - everybody enjoyed the show - Dave's voice was superb and Brian and Dave L were excellent. Yet again Down By The Sea nearly had a standing ovation, only sad thing was that the evening went by so quickly - hope to see you at Cheltenham. Regards Louise, Bob, Nick, Lin.
Setlist
Benedictus
Witchwood
Tears And Pavan
Remembering/You And I
The Hangman And The Papist
Alice's Song
The Winter And The Summer
The Soldiers Tale
Ghosts
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Not All The Flowers Grow
The Golden Salamander
The Flower And The Young Man
Simple Visions
Live Inside Your Hell Tonight
There Will Come The Day
The River/Down By The Sea
Lay Down
On My Way
THE MET, BURY, 19 JAN 2002
TREMENDOUS GIG - Review from Les Cotton
A capacity audience at the splendid Bury Metro main theatre were treated to a great night out. A super mix and sensible sound levels ensured a clearly audible show, both Dave's in fine voice, and Brian as ever providing mesmerising but subtle harmonics and fluid upper neck runs. A laid back performance clearly enjoyed by the lads, knowing smiles swapped at regular intervals, interrupted in spectacular fashion during Ghosts, when Dave C's Bass E string let go in an enormous crack, hitting his vocal mic, prompting a halt and change of guitar, Dave commenting it was becoming a real nightmare!
A nice version of Brian's "Alice's Song", Dave C on vocal and banjo, with the words taped to the back! Unusually on Dave Lambert's gorgeous "Winter and the Summer" Dave C contributed rhythm guitar, with Brian's gentle lead and chiming harmonics blending perfectly.
Dave C left the stage at one point, Dave ("quick, whilst he's gone..")and Brian launched into a fast brief blues, then into a super "Live Inside Your Hell Tonight", Brian providing perfect harmonics in the background. Dave Lambert was in fine vocal form, even singing the high octaves in "River/ Down By The Sea" where he has recently sung the easier lower note instead. Nice slide playing from DL on this too.
A storming "Lay Down" was the last official song, though to rapturous applause the lads returned to do "On My Way" as a final encore. As always, all three were on hand to sign autographs and chat in the foyer (the bar was SHUT!!...surely a first at a Strawbs gig?), they were gracious enough to pose for a photo for me too.
As has been said by many others, see this tour if you get chance, its a tremendous gig.
photos by Les Cotton
CARLISLE FOLK CLUB, 18 JAN 2002
OUTSTANDING - Review from Ian Stobbs
After Darlington we drove over to Carlisle expecting another great performance at the Carlisle Folk Club. The venue was a large room above the The Coach House,with its own bar (music and beer what a combination). We managed to get front row seats just to the left of the small stage.The room soon filled and the atmosphere was brilliant.
The set list was identical to the previous evening starting with "Benedictus",continuing with "Witchwood", the passionate "Tears and Pavan", through to "Ghosts". Personally, two songs stood out in the first set; "Alice's Song", a beautiful number written by Brian and sang with sensitivity by Dave Cousins (great to hear the banjo again) and "Ghosts", the interactive guitar playing between Brian Willoughby and Dave Lambert was outstanding. After a short break, just enough time to refill the glass, the second set began with "A Glimpse Of Heaven", the moving "Not All The Flowers Grow", the evocative "Golden Salamander", through to "Lay Down". Again, two songs shone out, Dave Lambert`s "Live Inside Your Hell Tonight" and the powerful song "Simple Visions". "On My Way" was, again, the encore and all too soon the evening ended.
With this venue being much smaller than Darlington Arts Centre, the combination of the audience being close to the lads and the rapport they have with each other and the audience made this, personally, a much more enjoyable evening.
It was great to meet fellow Strawbs fans throughout the evening and in particular a couple from Essex, whose names I didn`t get (sorry), who made the gig special. Miss this tour "at your peril". These guys are special !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments from John Graham Smith
I was at the Coach House too, and I agree. it was great. An absolutely storming version of "Hangman and the Papist" was the highlight for me, along with the point at which Dave Cousins put down the guitar, had a drink from his pineapple Bacardi Breezer and then sang "Simple Visions" - which sounds great with just one voice and TWO guitars.
Comments from Sylvia Morris
I happened to bump into a Mr Greener at the show and he told me that I should send in a review!. Well here it is .......The show was GREAT!! And that's all I have to say really.. A little bit of trouble with the sound initially but that was soon sorted out. Set list later if necessary but similar to the Swindon set list, the order was a bit different [NO, DG got the order WRONG at Swindon as he was doing it from memory]. It's surprising how good the songs sound with just two voices and three guitars.
DARLINGTON ARTS CENTRE, 17 JAN 2002
HEAVY PETAL - Review from Alison Brown
photo by Alison Brown
Arrived at a previously unvisited Darlington Arts Centre with 5 minutes to spare having got slightly lost and came in by the back entrance. Just time to say hi to a few work colleagues that I had managed to convince to come along and to take our seats. Then we were off into "Benedictus" and two hours of wonderful, time-evaporating music.
At one point Dave C remarked that someone earlier in the day has asked them to describe their musical style so he said it started out as Folk and then moved into Rock, and remembering the large vase of flowers on the table the previous evening they decided they were now "Heavy Petal"!
The whole show was superb, but the highlights for me were "The Soldier's Tale", where the sound created from just three guitars was unbelievable (also a change in the words of the last two lines "The soldier's heart is filled with pain, the soldier's tale died in the rain"), "Not all the Flowers Grow" which brought back vivid memories of the awful TV pictures of the Aberfan disaster and "The River/Down by the Sea" - just an absolutely stonking performance!
There is no-one who sings with more feeling than Dave Cousins - I guess for me that's part of the attraction - and tonight he sang as well as I've ever heard him. I'm on cloud nine again - thanks guys, you were amazing.
SIMPLY THE BEST - Review from Ian Stobbs
I`ve been an avid Strawbs fan since the early seventies, following the band at every opportunity in the North East.Over the last few years, with the band touring, I`ve been able to see and listen to, I feel, some of the greatest folk/rock music ever written. When I read Baroque and Roll had been released I wasn`t to sure whether or not to send for it but I`m glad I did. It now ranks near the top of my collection. When news of the tour was announced, the tickets were booked and a two month wait began.
We arrived to find a atmospheric theatre with a bar selling real ale...heaven. After a pint and a chat with other Strawb fans we went to our seats and waited. The lights dimmed and the evening began.
What a start. "Benedictus" played with passion, "Witchwood"....sublime, "Tears And Pavan" ... brilliant.... (I won`t go on). All the songs throughout the first half were played effortlessly, a sign of great musicians. It was obvious that these guys were totally at ease with the music and it shone through in their smiles, chats and rapport with each other and the audience.
The second half started with "A Glimpse Of Heaven" followed by the very moving "Not All The Flowers Grow". Once again the second set seemed to finish all to soon. Songs of the calibre of "Golden Salamander", "There Will Come A Day", "The River/Down By The Sea"...and the rest contributed to a absolutely fantastic evening. The last song, "Lay Down", played with passion and vigour (it really does work acoustically) and "On My Way" as the encore closed a concert to remember. Great to hear "Simple Visions" and "The Soldier`s Tale".
A pint of John Smiths, Baroque and Roll cd cover autographed, and the feeling I`d seen something special, what a way to spend an evening. Well, off to Carlisle Folk Club Tonight (18/01/02) for more of the same. If the opportunity to see any of the future gigs presents itself, TAKE IT ,"You won`t be disappointed " as they say.
Lets hope the success of Baroque and Roll and the tour prompts another album and tour next year. This WAS something special.!!!!!!!!!
photo by Alison Brown
MESMERISED - Review by Simon Carey
All I can do is echo the comments made by Ian Stobbs in his fine review of the evening. Apart from that I have a lovely story to tell.
My daughter has been a Strawbs fan since she was two and when I booked the tickets for myself and my wife I also booked one for her now aged 11 and my son aged 7. On arriving at the Arts Centre she was not sure what to expect. I had told her that we would probably see the band in the bar before the show but I guess it fell on deaf ears. Heading straight for the bar (my usual habit) I noticed Dave et al sat in the corner. I duly took my daughter over and introduced her to him as his youngest fan (she probably isn't but she once was!) and he was good enough to talk to her and shake her hand. After a brief discussion with him I wished him well with the show and left him. She was over-awed by this and even moreso when she actually saw the group's photo in some of the Arts Centre literature. Imagine how she felt when we arrived at our front row seats and she was sitting only a few feet from the band!
The whole experience overwhelmed her. She took in every single minute of the show and enjoyed it immensely like the rest of us and most of the audience I guess. Secondly my son (who cannot normally sit for more than 5 minutes) sat through the whole 2 hours plus without a murmur and he has been mesmerised ever since. We have had to play Strawbs CD's non -stop since Thursday evening (which is no bad thing) and they (the kids) want me to get them tickets for the 'electric' Strawbs when they tour later this year hopefully. They are also comparing and contrasting the acoustic versions of songs with the original versions!
To round this off I would like to say thank you to the band as it is a pleasure to see such talented musicians (who gave their absolute all) in such a warm cosy atmosphere (I hate 10,000 seater arenas!) and long may it continue. Good luck to them and I hope they come back soon.
SETLIST (order may not be quite right)
Benedictus
Witchwood
Tears and Pavan
The Hangman And The Papist
You And I When We Were Young
Alice's Song
The Winter And The Summer
The Soldier's Tale
Ghosts
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Not All The Flowers Grow
Golden Salamander
Live Inside Your Hell Tonight
There Will Come The Day
The Flower And The Young Man
Simple Visions
The River/Down By The Sea
Lay Down
On My Way
SWINDON ARTS CENTRE, 15 JAN 2002
MARVELLOUS TO SEE YOU AGAIN Review from Dick Greener
Well I'll be .... "The Soldier's Tale" is the surprise "new/old" song added to the repertoire for this outing and, as often is the case, it's the ones that you'd never thought could have worked that shine out. Consider the evidence. Original version done by six piece band, including (at least) two keyboard players, lots of thrashing guitars, Chas Cronk's bass, and Rod Coombes' quite busy drumming style. Acoustic Strawbs version, three guitars one voice, but just as powerful. Lambert's lead breaks as ever virtually note perfect from the record (I listened to the original again this morning).
Only surpassed for me by "Simple Visions" (where - get this! - Dave Cousins takes a rest on guitar and that wall of sound continues unabated with just two guitarists, one voice) and "Ghosts" where the interplay of the three guitars (Willoughby recreating the keyboard part) works like a dream (rather than the nightmare which inspired the song). And I suppose I should add "Flower And The Young Man" to that list, where it doesn't seem to matter that there are only two voices, the harmonies are just excellent.
A few of the newly-recorded numbers from "Baroque & Roll" feature in the set: "Not All The Flowers Grow" (the Aberfan disaster song) and "There Will Come The Day". Nice to see Dave play the banjo live on stage for the first time in nigh on 25 years: providing both a tasteful backing for Brian Willoughby's "Alice's Song" as well as a handy place to sellotape the words!! Also used on Dave Lambert's "Live In Side Your Hell Tonight". (Now, how about "Flying", Dave ?) Nice also to see his "The Winter And The Summer" with Dave C playing (on previous acoustic sets, that's always been played ensemble before his arrival on stage).
Overall, despite a few first night nerves (Dave commented on the strain of that nerve-wracking first song), all was extremely well indeed, with the two Daves in particularly good voice. The audience went away happy - many commenting on how well the songs fit their new acoustic clothing.
Hi to various "regulars" in the audience - Dave Passmore, Kevin (broken fibia - ouch!) & Jan, Nigel Bennett, Chris Mugridge (owner of Witchwood Engineering Limited), Steve Cooper (over from San Diego - just for one gig, there's devotion!). And hello to Heather Malcolm, editor of late lamented Strawbs fanzine "Jamming", who's also promised a review of the gig.
A word too, about the venue - not much to look at (to be honest) from the outside, once you get inside, Swindon Arts Centre is a little gem - the auditorium looks as though it was an old school or church hall, with a vaulted roof, and slightly raked seating. But the acoustics and the sound were spectacularly good - I was right at the back (admittedly five rows or so behind the sound desk) but I could see well and hear every word. Congratulations to the sound engineer for intelligently riding the faders and getting the levels right pretty much most of the time - he did a spectacular job handling music with which he wasn't familiar - unlike Edinburgh, night 3 last year, where the sound guy should have been shot!
STRAWBS IN SWINDON - Review from Brian Carter
It was interesting to read your review of the Strawbs' Acoustic performance in Swindon last night. My wife and I were also there and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I have been a Strawbs admirer for many years, this was the first time I had seen them live, and I was even more impressed than I had expected. I have always considered Dave Cousins to be one of the most under-rated composers and (more significantly) lyricists of all time, and it was a great pleasure to see him in Swindon last night.
I got the impression that both Daves and Brian enjoyed themselves very much too. I enjoyed the final photo in which Dave C was apparently reading the lyrics from the back of his banjo during Alice's song - I had never heard this one before: what a beautiful song!
Dave Cousins made mention of the "30 decades" as mentioned in the local paper. I read this at home later. The article, written by Flicky Harrison in the Evening Advertiser does indeed quote Dave as having spent 30 decades in the business. It also mentions that well-known Strawbs hit "Heart of the Union"!
Strawbs performed in both 1972 and 1973 at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre. I know this because my sister was Wardrobe Mistress at the Wyvern Theatre at the time and her husband - a big Strawbs fan and responsible for introducing me to the band - was a stage hand. Not surprisingly, he was very pleased to meet them!
Although I said that I had not seen the Strawbs perform before, that isn't strictly true. I was in the audience for one of what I have just read on your site were only two performances of the Strawbs without Dave Cousins in the summer of 1980. This took place at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon. It was a disaster. My brother and I had persauded about eight friends to come, expecting to convert them all to the Strawbs' music. Unfortunately, we learned a few days before the day that Dave Cousins would not be in attendance! We tried to warn everyone but it was worse than we had feared. The large leisure centre was almost empty (maybe a total of 20 in the audience).
The stage was set up with a noose on the lead microphone, so we thought that we could at least expect an attempt at the Hangman and the Papist. Instead the noose was ceremoniously discarded half way through the set. I should have gone out there and then, but I stayed to the bitter end. And I do mean "bitter".
At last, I can now honestly say that I have seen the proper Strawbs perform live. Congratulations on a truly excellent website. I really enjoy looking through it. I discovered it some years ago and return to it from time to time. Off now to order a copy of the CD....
NOT TO BE MISSED - Review from Phil Gregory
Tuesday night was the first night of the tour and luckily Swindon is only 20 minutes from where I live, so it's the closest Strawbs gig I have ever been to. It's sort of a Birthday present to myself as well as it was exactly one week ago that I passed the dreaded 40 landmark. Anyway I arrived at the arts centre and proceeded to finally buy Baroque & Roll and the Strawberry Sampler (B&R is exceptionally good if your are delaying buying it). Then I noticed Dick and said hello, I also had a chat with Steve Cooper from San Diego. Found my way to my seat, excellent position 5 rows back on the centre isle.
The show started more or less on time with what is probably my favourite Strawbs number, "Benedictus". Sadly first song of first night made this not quite as strong as I would have liked as the sound levels weren't quite right and the chaps hadn't quite got going. Still immensely enjoyable however! The boys were in extremely good humour, with Dave C joking about an article about his "30 decade" career! Also they all wore sensible shirts! The night then progressed with a very nice rendition of "Witchwood" another of my most favourite songs (I'm going to say this a lot). Then a superb "Tears And Pavan", not really missing the keyboard parts. Then an excellent "Hangman" with the usual DC introduction.
Next up came "You And I When We Were Young" (all about Richmond where incidentally I was going on business the next day). I first heard Alice's Song on the CRS CD with Catherine singing and I thought it was a lovely song. I was surprised to find that Dave sang it just as well (he seems to be able to sing women's parts very well whilst using his own unique style), and played a little banjo accompaniment, a real highlight. "The Winter And The Summer" followed with DL in great voice.
Then a real surprise "The Soldier's Tale" from Deep Cuts. The vocals were unbelievably powerful, Dave needed a drink before and after. Then the first half of the set closed with "Ghosts", which worked extremely well, much better I think than the full band version on the last tour.
Second set opened with a change of shirts into "nice" flowery ones and "A Glimpse Of Heaven" (another favourite with me). Then the Dave introduced "Not All The Flowers Grow" - I'd never heard this before but I shall be listening to it a lot now I have B&R. Then a fantastic "Golden Salamander", I was really hoping for this and was not disappointed. I'd heard DL's "Live Inside Your Hell Tonight" a couple of times on the last tour and is a great song. Then another new song "There Will Come The Day" which I first heard in the 90's in a pub in Devon - I forget the town's name - but the song had just been written and I remember thinking it was quite strong, and now at last it's been recorded. Then another great "Flower And The Young Man" which Dave L has really made his own, singing particularly well. A superb "Simple Visions" with Dave having a drink during the into and wishing Brian luck with it. I just couldn't imagine "The River/Down By The Sea" acoustically, but it was fantastic. The set closed with an excellent "Lay Down" during which DL seems to be able to make his guitar sound exactly like the electric break on the album, incredible!!
The crowd were pretty overwhelmed and the band came back with "On My Way" which rounded the evening off nicely. All in all one of my favourite gigs but with this line up I say this every time I see a new show as they just keep getting better and better. The sound was excellent as was the atmosphere, all the band get on so well together and Dave's rapport with the crowd is incredible. I am going to Worcester in a few weeks time and am looking forward to that very much. If you haven't decided to go because this isn't the full band, then go, it is not to be missed!
OH HOW WE'VE CHANGED - Review from Heather Malcolm
It's been a long time since the demise of Jamming, and since I put finger to keyboard about Strawbs, and a longer time since I've seen them play. The Acoustic Strawbs gig in Swindon on 15th Jan 2002 was very different from the old days of slightly shambolic but enthusiastic performances. This was certainly the clearest, cleanest and tightest Strawbs set I have ever seen.
This, I think, is in no small measure due to Dave Lambert, who seems to have taken on the role of onstage manager, counting in the songs, checking Dave C's tuning, as well as contributing much to the depth and emotional veracity of the performance. I hadn't seen him before, and I was hugely impressed. His voice is beautiful, clearly more mainstream – less folky than that of his predecessor Tony Hooper, and providing just as clear a contrast to Dave C's. His guitar style is equally appealing and has great immediate impact, mixing classic riffs and patterns with less predictable, clever sidelights.
In the days when Dave and Brian toured as duo, Brian Willoughby's presence was more apparent. Nowadays, the audience has to work a little harder to appreciate his fabulously intricate, knowledgeable and melodic playing. He is noticeably more relaxed these days, and is solid and calm and contributes a rich background to the fireworks of the other two. His solos are no less powerful for this, however, and the passion comes more clearly through these beautifully thought out, complex melodies. Alice's Song is a beautiful piece of writing, straight from the heart, sounding deceptively simple and straightforward.
Fabulous and contrasting as they are as individuals, players, Brian and Dave L playing duet (a la Steely Dan) is a delightful exciting experience. I'd love to see them going for it like Hotel California - (only better).
I feel much less comfortable about reviewing Dave Cousins' performance. In the first half it felt flat and routine: clear, if a little muted but certainly never short of committed. He seemed tired, and even nervous at times, with only occasional glimpses of the passion I remember. The second half was much more like the old Dave C, and I'm sure that the stage set-up was carefully measured to ensure that Dave didn't smack the others with the few more expansive gestures he made. I'm not sure that the "three geezers seated" staging suits Dave's style. Dave seated is Dave robbed of some of the power of his voice. That said, enforced immobility may be a good thing. Fewer grand sweeping gestures seemed to concentrate Dave's mind. Perhaps we are seeing a trend towards more thoughtful performances?
During the set, Dave C acknowledged that we like to hear the old songs, and with such a back-catalogue it must be hard to select out the old favour of the new. But we want and need to hear what he thinks and feels about the world as it is today. He has always been a political writer (albeit with a small p). He has compared himself with the troubadours, and his past work shows the brilliance of his ability to recount events and detail the feelings around them, yet he said nothing of September 11th. I hope that there new thoughts and new songs provoked by these and subsequent events? Dave. You are in a privileged position – you have the means and the opportunity to move and inspire us anew, but only you can provide the motivation to fulfil your talent.