Click for Part 2 - reviews and pictures from the second half of the November/December US tour.
Witchwood
Glimpse Of Heaven
Face Down In The Well
New World
Ghosts
Alice's Song
Shine On Silver Sun
On A Night Like This
Autumn
Tears And Pavan
The Winter And The Summer
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
The River
Down By The Sea
We'll Meet Again Sometime
Witchwood
Glimpse Of Heaven
Face Down In The Well
Hangman And The Papist
Ghosts
Alice's Song
Shine On Silver Sun
Lemon Pie
Autumn
Hanging In The Gallery
Tears And Pavan
The Winter And The Summer
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
The River
Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine
Simple Visions
THE TIN ANGEL, PHILADELPHIA PA, 23 NOV 2003
It was our 4th and 5th Strawbs show this year. Not having paid too much attention to the set-lists on the web I wasn't too sure how much would be different material from their May gigs. We again had dinner downstairs at Serrano which guaranteed us great seats upstairs at the Tin Angel for the first show. We were treated to a total of 8 songs that we hadn't heard in May, including one that Dave Cousins said hadn't been played before: "On A Night Like This". It was a great up-tempo tune with a "La Bamba" feel to the music and spirited words. The general feel reminded me of Dylan's song of the same name. The new song "Face Down In The Well" was also a great treat. The performance of this new tune was full of passion and immediacy; the band totally in sync with the songwriter singing his heart out on a song fresh from recent experience.
But that's the thing -- these guys approach every performance with that same freshness and energy -- like they had just worked out the songs last week, like they were singing about something that had just happened to them. How do they do that set after set, night after night? And how do they manage to draw us all into that world, a world where experiences are raw and feelings are still being worked through? How is it possible to listen to these songs -- even the ones that we've all heard a thousand times, and still be taken away by them? I guess that's the essence of great live performances of great songs -- they never get old.
For the 2nd set we were up on bar stools along the side of the venue. This gave us not just a good view of the band, but also of most of the audience. Adding to the impact of each song was seeing how the audience was affected -- some of whom I'm sure were hearing the Strawbs live for the first time. To see people visibly knocked back in their seat at the wrenching climax of "Hangman" or joining in on the chorus of "The Winter Long" (from "Autumn"), couldn't help but make you feel you were experiencing something truly special.
On 23 Nov 2003, I was able to attend the Strawbs latest Tin Angel show and was pleased and surprised to find that my other half and I had front row seats. So close that I think Brian could have kicked me in the head if he had the urge! LOL! I took a lot of photos and chose my 14 favorites and put them on another website. It was a great night in an intimate setting and I think the photos reflect that.
Jim's website with the pictures is at http://www.freewebs.com/jshivers/TinAngel112303.html.
Witchwood - (From The Witchwood)
A Glimpse Of Heaven - (From The Witchwood)
Face Down In The Well - (new)
New World - (Grave New World)
Tears And Pavan - (Bursting At The Seams)
Alice's Song (Brian Willoughby - Black & White)
Shine On Silver Sun - (Hero & Heroine)
Autumn - (Hero & Heroine)
The Winter And The Summer - (Bursting At The Seams)
Ghosts - (Ghosts)
Out In The Cold - (Hero And Heroine) //
Round And Round - (Hero And Heroine)
Hero And Heroine
Simple Visions - (Deep Cuts)
We'll Meet Again Sometime - (Antiques and Curios)
CLUB CAFE, PITTSBURGH PA, 20 NOV 2003
I won't try to add to the performance descriptions, Dan Fucinaro's review of the Cedar Rapids show captures almost exactly what we saw and heard in Pittsburgh from Dave, Dave and Brian, except for no break due to apparent time constraints. The Strawbs opened at 7:30, and there was another show in the facility at 10:00. So I'll give you more on the setting and reaction.
Club Cafe is a very small venue with a bar off to one side of the performing area. It's a small table and dining area type setting, so there were the obvious distractions of a server moving between the tables and patrons, and some related chatter. My rough count was around 70-90 people, but at least it was a full house for the facility. There were a few families with young children as well, even though it was an over-21 venue. As noted in another review, one group in the back of the room started to get overly boisterous during only the 2nd or 3rd song, but at least three people near them jumped from their seats and 'shushed' them down (and they stayed quiet)!
The crowd was, overall, very immersed in the music, and this built throughout the set as the intensity of the musicians increased (including those few who did not seem to come specifically to "hear" the Strawbs). I was pretty amazed that one patron standing down at the end of the bar, who exhibited the most body language enthusiasm, seemed to be no older than 30 - I don't think it was (entirely) a few too many pints, he seemed to know the songs as well as or better than us older folks who were listening when they were new.
The musicians were consistent throughout. Brian's coolness and calmness made his playing look effortless, Dave Cousins' vocal power was constant and his playing strong, and Dave Lambert's intensity, at the appropriate moments, was awesome (plus I have not heard that many sounds extrapolated from a guitar since I last saw the late Michael Hedges). The sound was amplified a little louder than optimal for at least some of the gentler selections and passages (mainly due to the bar/pub type of setting, I suppose), but this worked to their advantage on the higher energy parts. The overall intensity and energy of this show was quite a surprise after being lulled into an expectation of an acoustic show in a coffee house like setting, and I feel that some of their acoustic renditions here rivaled or bettered the usually more electric originals in this regard.
This club is small, and the bands enter and exit right through the audience. The Strawbs all shook hands and exchanged greetings with patrons as they exited the set, and re-entered for the encore. They received Standing O's after the main set and the encore. Both Daves were graciously signing many Strawbs LP covers and CDs at the bar after the show (I saw several carrying "Hero and Heroine" LPs, one guy brought his whole stack of Strawbs LPs), and all three of them talking and posing for pictures with many of the patrons after the show.
I wish that this show could have been held in this area's Carnegie Music Hall, with a superb acoustic environment that can seat around 2,000 - and also that there was a full house there to hear this outstanding performance by the Strawbs. On the other hand, the intimacy of the close setting and interaction of the band with the small crowd was a nice dimension that may have been lost in a larger, more formal setting.
I absolutely loved the show! Unfortunately, another group was coming on so they only got to do one set which was, of course, disappointing. But they were in fine form and I loved every minute of it. I brought with me my mother, sister, sister-in-law and friend.
After the show I introduced David C. to my mother. He took both her hands and kissed her on both cheeks. She was delighted and so was I. My friend, Lynn, took photos of me with Dave C., Dave. L., and Brian, separately. My mother said to me "they're not what I expected, they really get to you!" I think she's a convert!
The Strawbs were in fine form and despite some idiots in the crowd who just would not shut up, we showed them a heartfelt response to their great singing and playing. Afterwards, all three gents made themselves available for autographs and photos, which allowed the chance to thank Dave Cousins for coming to Pittsburgh and compliment them on the inclusion of so many great songs. Thanks for the opportunity to add to your site; it really is nicely constructed and a major asset for Strawbs fans.
Witchwood
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Face Down In The Well
Hanging In The Gallery
New World
Tears And Pavan
Alice's Song
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Lemon Pie
Winter And The Summer
Ghosts
River
Down By The Sea
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Hero And Heroine
Simple Visions
We'll Meet Again Sometime
JOHNNY D'S, BOSTON MA, 18 NOV 2003
I had the pleasure of seeing my third Strawbs show this year on Tuesday and it was a dandy. Approximate setlist - the order may be a bit off.
I had along a couple of friends, one of whom had never heard the band, but who made several comparisons to The Who when Lambert was strumming hard. She also loved "Lemon Pie" which came off very rock'n'rollish to her. It was great to hear it again after so many years. "Lemon Pie" really is a neat sort of gypsyish fun tune.
The other friend remarked on Cousins' sense of place and connection to the land. The religious connection was acknowledged but it was more of a man seeking and open to what may come.
The harmony between the vocals of Cousins and Lambert has really reached new highs...I never remember it sounding so spot on and heartfelt. Willoughby as always maintained the strength beneath the surface.
I have been listening to mostly progressive rock from the 70s thru the present in the last few months, from many countries. Sometimes I have wondered how strictly progressive the Strawbs are, if indeed that matters, but to me one of their attributes that fits this genre so well is their sense of contrast, of juxtaposing the gentle with the harsh, the delicate with the ragged, and they demonstrated their feel for moods better than ever on Tuesday.
I can't help wondering where everyone other than the 100 odd die-hards were that night. I don't think the average listener can handle the sheer intensity of an acoustic Strawbs performance. Next stop, Capo's in Lowell, MA Dec 9, about as close to my place as the Boston show was.
NIGHT EAGLE CAFE, OXFORD NY, 16 NOV 2003
Couldn't ask for much better - a small club that is perfect for acoustic music. It can only hold about 100 people and everybody there is really excited to see them. Again, word of mouth advertising pays off. On a cold, quiet Sunday night, the die hards come out - ready for more of what they got a taste of in May.
The set list was the same as in Rochester a few nights prior. This was the most relaxed of the four shows I saw this year. As I left, I saw David Cousins walk on the darkened street in the little village square to their SUV after the show- his guitar in one hand and his banjo in the other, I recalled what he said during their show - that the songwriter's life is sometimes a lonely one. I wonder if he knows or realizes that for middle aged folks to just jump in the car and drive almost two hours to come see them after they have been off the radar screen here in the US for so long really says something.
To hear these great songs, "A Glimpse Of Heaven", "Autumn", "Out In The Cold/Round And Round", "River/Down By The Sea", "Lemon Pie", "Tears And Pavan", "Ghosts" and the others is like a sensory overload. C'mon back anytime fellas! Can't wait until July to see the electric band again.
Ken Millet, owner of the Night Eagle, who is a big supporter of acoustic music in the area
TOWNE CRIER, PAWLING NY, 15 NOV 2003
Just back from the show, some technical difficulties, Dave L and Dave C both broke strings, Dave L's guitar was giving him problems also. There was one idiot in the crowd. But wow what a great show!
Dave C finally looks like the broken hip is healed. He looked so much more comfortable and was having a great time. "Face Down In The Well" is worth the price of admission. The changes in "Round And Round", "Hero And Heroine" work well. "Witchwood", "Glimpse Of Heaven", "Alice's Song", "Simple Visions", "Ghosts", "Autumn" and "Tears And Pavan", PLUS "We'll Meet Again Sometime", "Hanging In The Gallery", "Shine On Silver Sun" and "Winter And The Summer" added to the set list. The shows are getting better and better. Both Dave's were in fine voice. Brian makes it look so easy. How does Dave L make all those sounds come out of an acoustic guitar? An all around fantastic night. Also got to visit with Mike G. and I finally got to meet Bill and his lovely lady.
Just checking in with some thoughts about last night's show, as well as a bunch of photos my husband Matt took.
So it finally occurs to me after 30 years that there never was nor will there ever be a version, live or otherwise, of "Down by the Sea" that doesn't reduce me to a mere puddle and last night was no exception. Especially since it had been preceded earlier in the evening, as a matter of fact at the opening of the set, by "Witchwood," a song that I'd been waiting to hear live for as long as I'd been going to Strawbs concerts - it couldn't have sounded more beautiful, with three wonderful guitarists and Dave L providing the haunting vocal harmony in the third verse. It was later followed by two other old songs I'd never heard performed live, "Shine on Silver Sun" and "The Winter and the Summer," along with a new song which was introduced with a story about a girl's body that was found in a well in Dave C's small town in France (I think I'm getting this right) ["Face Down In The Well" - DG] , and a bunch of old favorites that, no matter how many times I hear them, offer something different every time. That's the beauty of hearing live music as it is being made. (As an aside, my mother once asked me why I bothered going to concerts when I could easily just stay home and listen to recordings, to which I responded with an astonished expression and a shake of my head, and let's just say the acorn fell pretty far from that tree.)
Dave, Brian and Dave always put on truly wonderful shows no matter what the set list, but it occurred to me last night that although it took 25 years for the band to return to the US earlier this year, the time between these last two tours has been only six months, and now we American fans are maybe going to be expecting regular visits - an analogy being people who quit smoking cigarettes for years and years and then they take that one little puff and BOOM, they're addicted all over again and love every subsequent puff like dear old friends. However the good news is that a US tour is planned for next summer, so this little junkie knows when her next fix will be!
BODLES OPERA HOUSE, CHESTER NY, 14 NOV 2003
The Acoustic Strawbs at Bodles Opera House on 14 Nov 2003 was my fourth time seeing the threesome and BEST YET! (I saw them three times last May) The boys seem tighter, and more passionate then last time around, if that's possible, and they've added some great stuff to the set list. "Lemon Pie", "Shine On Silver Sun" and "Hanging In The Gallery" were tremendously performed, and new and surprising to me. Cousin's new song "Face In The Well" was really, really good. An epic in the vein of "Blue Angel".
They played all the best classics that they were playing in spring-- "A Glimpse Of Heaven", "Tears And Pavan", "Ghosts", "Autumn", "Out In The Cold/Round And Round", "River/Down By The Sea".
I walked in late during Glimpse and Dave Lambert gave me a nod and big smile as I sat down immediately in front of Dave Cousins, close enough to unplug him. I was so into it...one of the best musical experiences of my life, and I was not alone. The boys got four standing ovations, a few right in the middle of the show after a particularly great tune. After the show Cousins joked that there wasn't enough Southern Comfort in the place to ply him up enough to tell me the electric line up slated for July. Can't wait!!!!!
MILESTONES, ROCHESTER NY, 13 NOV 2003
Well, word of mouth advertising pays off. More folks here on a blustery night than there were in May. Lots of familiar faces in the crowd. Many people reported driving a considerable distance to come and see the show.
They offered the classics that they were playing last time through- "A Glimpse Of Heaven", "Autumn", "Out In The Cold/Round And Round", "River/Down By The Sea", "Tears And Pavan", "Ghosts". Sounded great! Added "Hanging in the Galley", "Lemon Pie" and "Shine on Silver Sun".
New song "Face Down In The Well" came with a colorful story from Dave C. Other stories told were good but it seemed they were told with more detail on the last tour. His story of the origin of "A Glimpse Of Heaven" was so much more animated last time. People like to hear the stories.
No question that the hip problems that were evident last tour have healed considerably. This is one of only a handful of bands I would travel hours to see. To see them several times this year after not having seen the band since 1976 is quite a story in itself. I sure hope they had fun doing these shows. We sure enjoyed seeing them.
BELLVILLE OPERA HOUSE, HIGHLANDS OF OHIO, BELLVILLE OH, 12 NOV 2003
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Ghosts
Face Down In The Well
Alice's Song
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Lemon Pie
Hanging In The Gallery
The Winter And The Summer
Tears And Pavan
The River/Down By The Sea
Out In The Cold/Round And Round
Hero And Heroine
Simple Visions
LEGION ARTS (CSPS), CEDAR RAPIDS IA, 9 NOV 2003
Last Sunday night, I had the rare opportunity to see Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert & Brian Willoughby - the Acoustic Strawbs - in a truly wonderful concert at CSPS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I had been a fan of the band for about 15 years when a friend of mine introduced me to their music...but I had not been able to see the band in concert until this night. The fact that I live in Omaha, Nebraska (265 miles away) did not deter me, nor did the fact that I'd be driving back after the show to get to work the next day. I actually wish I'd gone to the show the previous night in Dubuque, Iowa as well, because I'm still REELING from how GREAT a musical event that night in Cedar Rapids was!!
The actual CSPS venue was a very nice listening environment - it was an art gallery with a lovely stage behind the gallery with great acoustics which seated about 100 people comfortably. A nice couple from Lincoln, Nebraska sat with me at my table up front...also met another kind couple from Kansas City, Missouri - so I was not the only traveler for the show! The crowd can either make or break a good concert - in this case everyone in attendance was very polite and totally quiet during the songs...with rapturous applause in-between songs. Dave Cousins had stories before most of the songs, which were interesting and gave a perspective on how they were written & conceived.
"A Glimpse Of Heaven" - a strong start, featuring solid guitar work from the three men plus Dave C and Dave L singing the first of many harmony vocals of the evening. "Ghosts" is one of my very favorite Strawbs songs because the composition works very well musically & lyrically - going from a peaceful night to a chilling nightmare and then back again...Dave C. strummed the open tuned rhythm guitar, Brian took the 'playful' child-like guitar line while Dave L. played the more chilling line that led into his dark middle segment - "I hope your dreams are not like mine" - INDEED! Then we were treated to a new song, "Face Down In The Well", featuring Brian playing a gentle accompaniment on a nylon string guitar and Dave C's impassioned vocals on an ominous theme - I'm going to love to hear this when it gets recorded and I look forward to the new Strawbs CD! In the same vein, Dave C set up "New World" by recalling where he was on September 11th and how the lyrics of the song ring even more true after that terror than its original inspiration - Ireland's bloody Sunday from many many years ago.
Brian's composition, "Alice's Song" was next up - a truly lovely piece featuring Dave C on banjo...as well as banjo on the following song "Shine On Silver Sun" - my favorite song from the "Hero And Heroine" album. I'd gotten to the venue early and had heard them rehearsing "Shine On..." in the soundcheck, so I was glad that it was included in the set. The theme of the end of summer's "silver sun" led nicely into a magnificent version of "Autumn", beginning with Brian and Dave C.'s slightly altered bass riff on the guitars and Dave L coming in on the haunting and piercing high guitar notes. Dave C. & Dave L. compliment each other nicely with their contrasting vocals - Dave C.'s foreboding tone in the "Deep Summer Sleep" segment and Dave L.'s more gentle lyrical style in the "Winter Long" segment...and when the two voices met in harmony on the ending chorus it was HEAVEN!! Also, Dave L. set up the melody of the end chorus by playing it with a slide on his acoustic--very sweet! Thus ending the first set.
"Lemon Pie" opened the second set with some great soloing from Brian and an exciting accapella vocal break from Dave C & Dave L. "Hanging In The Gallery" was an appropriate song, as the CSPS venue was an art gallery as well. Dave L. then took the spotlight by singing his composition, "The Winter And The Summer" with some nice mandolin backing from Dave C.
Brian picked up his nylon string guitar for the haunting minor key lines beginning "Tears And Pavan"...following which Dave L. came in with a harmony guitar part, and of course Dave C's emotional singing completely filled the room...the "Pavan" segment was a playful rhythmic contrast. A nice pairing--"The River" straight into "Down By The Sea" from "Bursting at the Seams" was next - Dave L. added that stunning guitar trill throughout "The River" along with some nice slide guitar work. "Down By The Sea" had a fabulous extended ending with Dave L. and Brian playing fast and complex harmony guitar lines while Dave C. held down the court with that mesmerizing aching guitar riff that starts the song.
Click on the thumbnail to see the full size flyer.
Another pairing (this time from "Hero And Heroine")--"Out In The Cold" and "Round And Round" was next up. I have to say that it was somewhat surreal for me to see Dave L.'s wonderful country-flavored lead guitar work coming to life in front of my very eyes...as well as Dave C.' s bringing out the "innocence to madness" of the character in his truly raw vocal delivery in both pieces.
Finally, the title cut of that album, "Hero And Heroine" closed the second set...a magnificent version with Dave C. furiously and flawlessly singing the complex text; Brian plucking out the insanely fast guitar chords; and Dave L. pulling double duty beginning by pounding on the 'bodhran' drum, then picking up his guitar for some powerful strumming. We all went nuts and did a cheering standing ovation for the guys to come back and encore with "Simple Visions". It was the only song of the night where Dave C did not play guitar, banjo or mandolin--he focused solely on his joyful vocal delivery; with Brian on the hypnotic guitar rhythms and Dave L. on percussion and guitar. It was a VICTORY CELEBRATION of a evening filled with wonderful music!
After the show, the guys came out and signed autographs, visited with fans and got in photographs. They were all very kind and generous with their time--they lived up to the very good reputation that I've long heard about with the Strawbs and their fans. They all signed my "Baroque And Roll" CD booklet, plus a flyer for the show. The end of the night was the kicker: mostly the three of them were talking/signing separately, but I caught the three of them together by the paintings. I'd already gotten my stuff signed and chatted with the guys--but when I saw all three together, I had to ask them if they minded a photo with me in it - they said sure! Thank heavens for the the invention of the camera!! I look forward to anytime I can see the Strawbs again!!!
THE BUSTED LIFT, DUBUQUE IA, 8 NOV 2003
I want to tell you a story or two about seeing the Strawbs last Saturday, 9th of November, 2003. I live in Rockford, Illinois, about 90 minutes or so from Dubuque, Iowa. Once one drives past Galena, Illinois, where President US Grant was born, US 20 becomes somewhat treacherous with its twists and turns. And, in my rear-view mirror, we had a lovely lunar eclipse in the US. Even the Illinois State Lottery contributed to the "magic" of the night, as the numbers in the Pick Four were: 0666! Really! Therefore, the energy of the moment needed tweaking as I drove into Dubuque. I had not been to that town for upwards of ten years, but had to make the journey to see the much-beloved Strawbs. Thirty years it has been. But more on the present and then the past story to abide in.
I arrived about 6:30PM, some three hours before the show. I had thought these guys would've sold out, and I had also assumed they had food there to consume, somewhat like a supper club. However, beer and pretzels was all there was. And, sitting down on a dilapidated couch near the small stage sat David Cousins. I went up to him with my coat still on, and asked politely, "Is this Mr. Cousins?" And he replied, "Yes, it is." I told him and Dave Lambert, after shaking their hands, that I had driven 85 miles to see them, and was just overjoyed to see them again, the second time in over thirty years. They were like seeing old friends, as their music has always resonated happiness and joy in me. And so, after putting on strings and my inquiring about the song "Ghosts," I sat at the bar and had some Bass ale, and then Dave Lambert came up and told me they didn't start 'till 9PM or so. Dave Lambert said to me I was a "hero" for coming so early. What a proud moment!
So, Mr. Cousins came up to the bar for a beer and was very relaxed and very calm. I told him I thought I might go get something to eat, and that there was an A&W Hamburger Restaurant two blocks away. Mr. Cousins replied that was a very good idea, and off I went. I walked the required steps and feasted on a double cheeseburger, fresh fries, and a large coffee. And then back to the Busted Lift. Eventually, I got up enough courage to chat with a local patron about the state of affairs in our "Sad America" (as Adrian Bellew mentions in the King Crimson song, "Matte Kudesai") and we both agreed that it is time to get President Little Ears Bush out of office. This lovely conversation enthralled me for the next 45 minutes.
Then, I went to sit at my chosen spot and waited over another hour until the Acoustic Strawbs took the stage. Unfortunately, only about 50 people at the most showed up to see them. Many people did not know how famous they were, and sadly, conversations ensued over the top of the remarkable Strawbs presence in the room. However, onward they marched, playing many songs I had not heard in a number of years. And it was wonderful. I drank another Bass Ale and topped it off with some Cutty Sark on the rocks. Soon, the concert had finished, (a little less than two hours) and they came back for one more encore. After that, I went up to Mr. Cousins and thanked him for coming, and told him I always thought he had something to say, and I admired and respected him. He was wonderful, and I "God-blessed" him and then went over to chat a brief moment with Dave Lambert.
I told him of a true story 30 years ago in Springfield, Illinois, where they had actually played in front of King Crimson. Around 1972 or so. [Actually it would have to have been 1973 for both John Ford and Dave Lambert to be in the band. -DG] They resided at the Holiday Inn South in Springfield, and I and friends of mine went to their room and spoke with Dave Lambert, [name removed] and John Ford. For 90 minutes! And Dave Lambert said to me, "That would be about right." He smiled and laughed as I told him [name removed] looked very much like Cat Stevens then, and Dave laughed and said yes he did. And so a burning question I had for Dave was this: I had always thought the Strawbs should've made it bigger and brighter in the US then. That, for whatever reason, the Strawbs fizzled out and never did return shining as brightly as now. And I asked Dave Lambert: is [name removed] was friend or foe. He said that [name removed] was one of the reasons that the Strawbs did not make it, so he is a foe, and Dave would not want to say anything further. So, this personal story for me confirmed my suspicions that it wasn't the Strawbs players per se that had the wrong idea: there were other reasons.
And so, that chapter in my life finally closed for me. And the Strawbs were fabulous, and one fellow that drove from Madison WI replied to me that the Strawbs were fabulous the night before in Milwaukee, WI. I look forward to seeing them tour this coming summer in the electric world, as I imagine crowds will pour forth and make their shows "burst at the seams." I can't wait. Hope you enjoyed this little story of mine. It's all true, and helped me see a great bunch of gentlemen.
FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN IL, 6 NOV 2003
I caught the Strawbs last Thursday at Fitzgeralds and once again their show was stellar. I attended their show there last spring and being blown away with their performance knew I'd be attending this show too. A nice sized crowd showed up and was very appreciative from start to finish - the professionalism of these three men was obvious. The set list consisted of some songs they played last tour plus a few additions and at least one brand new song (sorry, I didn't write them down). The two Daves were in fine voice and perhaps because this was the beginning of the tour, I found Cousins' voice was even stronger than the last time around. The guitar playing was impeccable all around but I found myself watching Willoughby most of all. What a great touch!
Anyway, another great show and throughly enjoyable.
