Part 1 - First US leg - up to 29 June
Part 2 - Canada - 30 June to 4 July
Part 3 - Back to the US - 6 July to Nearfest
Photo galleries from North American tour
Features on North American tour.
JOHNNY D'S, BOSTON , 29 JUNE 2004
It's been three decades since this version of the British rock band the Strawbs last played together, but time has hardly taken a toll on the eclectic quintet that played to a houseful of loyal fans at Johnny D's Tuesday night.
"I'd better introduce the guys, just in case you think we're some kind of tribute band," quipped Strawbs founder and leader David Cousins, who guided the way through a pair of 40-minute sets. No introductions were necessary here. Cousins, the group's primary singer, rhythm guitarist and dulcimer ace, along with lead guitarist/singer Dave Lambert, bassist Chas Cronk, keyboardist John Hawken, and drummer Rod Coombes left no one disappointed with the trademark sound featuring the unmistakeable voice of Cousins, Lambert's powerhouse guitar and the always-present mellotron. Most of the evening's material came from the mid-1970s albums Hero And Heroine, Bursting At The Seams and Ghosts, but there were selections from other 70's disks such as Burning For You, Deadlines, and Grave New World. Also included were two new songs from their new CD, Deja Fou, on Witchwood Records, which is due out next week.
After opening with Hero And Heroine standards "Out In The Cold," and "Round And Round," the Strawbs took on another song from that album which had never been played live before this tour -- "Shine On Silver Sun." The somber "New World," which has taken on new meaning for Cousins after Sept. 11, followed, then came "Burning For Me." The longing for home Cousins writes of in the song was evident with his delivery.
Cronk then took to the 12-string guitar for "Simple Visions," followed by the Hero And Heroine trilogy of "Autumn," "Deep Summer's Sleep," and the romantic "The Winter Long," where Lambert's vocals were as passionate as they've ever been.
"Benedictus," featuring Cousins on dulcimer, opened the second set. A strong, slightly shorter version of "Ghosts," followed, where Lambert received a hearty ovation following his blistering guitar leads and blood-curdling delivery of "Children, are you sleeping ... Are you innocent like me?" on the "Guardian Angel" segment.
The obscure "You and I (When We Were Young)," and Lambert's "Heartbreaker," led into "This Barren Land," which Cousins wrote 18 months ago in the hospital while recovering from a fall from a ladder. "The River" then flowed into the warmly received "Down By The Sea." A powerful version of "Hero And Heroine" and a revival of "Round And Round" closed out the regular set.
For an encore, Cousins, accompanied by teardrop piano playing from Hawken, somberly delivered "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" from the new CD. "Lay Down," with lyrics based on Psalm 23, started with hearty a cappella harmonizing from Cousins, Lambert, and Cronk, and built into a powerful electric experience to close the show.
This lineup of the Strawbs -- and many fans -- waited nearly 30 years for this show. However long the Strawbs take to do this again, there will be a collection of loyal fans waiting. Count on it.
I'm still singing "Lay Down".
Last night I drove down to Sommerville to Johnny D's. restaurant and music club. I was early, anticipating seeing the Strawbs again after 30 years. I was shown to one of the four small tables on the dance floor, a mere 6 feet from the stage. As I sat sipping a cold beer I looked around at some of the other diners, and wondered if the Strawbs had played as big a part in their musical lives as they had in mine, or were they here only to see some live music. (If so, they weren't disappointed.)
Getting closer to show time I noticed that everyone being seated would glance at the stage with a determined look to see whether these were the seats they had hoped for, and for many being seated off to the side that wasn't the case. (Glad I made the reservations as soon as the show was announced.)
Finally the boys made their way to the stage and started right in with "Out In The Cold/ Round and Round". Wow, they sounded great. David's voice was perfect and Dave's guitar just screamed. The song set was a wonderful mix from "New World" thru "Burning For You" with three songs from the soon to be released CD. My favorites, "Autumn","Remebering/You and I", and "The River/Down By The Sea", resulted in a much deserved standing ovation. Rod's drums kept the band tight, and Chas' bass lent so much fullness to the songs. There was a point that I saw, and heard, how beautifully John's keyboard melody just floated above the strong driving beat. All, wonderful very talented musicians.
The crowd cheered them back for an encore that included "Lay Down" and a new song, a ballad that David sang. I'm looking forward to picking up Deja Fou asap.
I waited by the bar after the crowd had thinned out. I approached John to let him know that I enjoyed the show and thanked him for touring, and as I did this with each of the band members, they all made it a point to thank me! for coming out to see them. When I got to David, I shook his hand and told him that the last time I did that was 29 years ago. I told him I was at work listening to him give an interview at the local radio station when I decided to leave and head over there. I saw him and his wife as they were coming out of the station, he stopped and talked to me for a few minutes as I shook his hand then.
Those Strawbs shows from the mid-seventies were some of the best concerts I had ever seen, and had given me such fine memories. Now, I'll add this show, 30 years later, to those memories.
STEPHEN TALKHOUSE, AMAGANSETT, NY, 27 JUNE 2004
Saw the band last night out in Amagansett. Last I'd seen 'em w/John Hawken was when, December of 74 I reckon, I was in the 11th grade of high school. They played The Calderone Concert Hall here on Long Island as well as the old Academy Of Music on 14th Street in Manhattan, Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ.
The John Hawken Strawbs are my personal fave Strawbs ... other configurations I like just fine but that particular Strawbs hold the fondest memories and created my favorite albums and such.
12th grade was another monumental date out here on Long Island. May of 1976 the band played out here at the Commack Ice Arena with Blue Oyster Cult and Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, our Strawbs were sandwiched inbetween both of those acts ...strange bill really. That was the Mealing/Kirby band ... great show but no John! ;-)
Here's a scan of the ticket that get me in last night ...it was a brilliant gig. I'm sure there were others in attendance better to review the evening's festivities but on closing ... yrs truly was absolutely levitating!
I also had a chance to enjoy the awesome show at the Towne Crier on 6/26! We loved it soooooooo much that the next morning we called Stephen's Talkhouse out in Amagansett, L.I. for tickets to their show that very evening 6/27. That concert Rocked! It was a small intimate venue and seeing the Strawbs two nights in a row was a real treat! And to boot, I got to take pics with DC and DL after the show at Stephen's... what an experience!
After having seen almost every tour in the 70's and buying the CDs as they trickled out in the 90's, it's been a treat to see the last two acoustic tours at this location. I brought my son 19 years old and the wife to the show last night. We were simply blown away by the band. Sitting three feet from Dave Lambert and seeing him perform I was in total awe. He truly is a great guitarist with Pete Townshend moves galore. The intensity of his artistry is the perfect addition to Dave Cousins vocal and lyrical skills. The understated elegance of John Hawken's keyboards with the power of Rod and Chas' rhythm brought back fond memories of the Hero-Heroine tour.
This was a truly magical evening made even more so by the fact that all five band members graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures after the show. Having the opportunity to chat with musicians whose music I have enjoyed over the past 32 years was fantastic. My son 's favorite song is "The River/Down By The Sea" and he's now had the pleasure of hearing both the acoustic and electric versions. We've already got tickets for the October show.
See this tour - a magical and essential night is in store.
Out In The Cold/Round And Round
Shine On Silver Sun
New World
Burning For Me
Simple Visions
Autumn
Benedictus
Ghosts
Remembering/You And I
Heartbreaker
This Barren Land
The River/Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine/Round And Round (reprise)
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
TOWNE CRIER, PAWLING, NY, 26 JUNE 2004
On my ride home along I-84 in Connecticut, I passed the remains of the roof of the Towne Crier Café. The crumpled debris littered a farmer's field about twenty miles into Connecticut from the New York border. The cause of the devastation was the song "Burning For Me," in which the controlled wails Lambert nursed off his electric guitar finally proved too much for the hall…
If you were at the Towne Crier on Saturday night, you caught a piece of history. Even better, you caught a band that has so much more to give, and gave it all to the sell-out crowd in attendance. Cousins' songs revolve so much around the passage of time, mutability, and that painful and sometimes wrenching passage from innocence to understanding. Somehow the years have made those themes in the band's performance even more powerful because so much of that is now at the fore: our own memories of growing up with these songs, seeing the gray in the band's hair as well as our own, bringing life experiences to the show as deep and complex as Cousins' lyrics.
The set list (already supplied by Joe Langer - great to see you again by the way!) reinforced these ideas and showed quite clearly a carefully orchestrated selection. The band both opened and closed the night with "Out in the Cold/Round and Round", slipping into a reprise of "Round and Round" as a coda to the final song of the set, "Hero And Heroine." Thirty years on, the band had come round full circle, the American line-up not recreating the past, but playing with a more deft and mature power. Lambert truly shined, hammering the power chords in "Round And Round" like a locomotive's wheels. He seemed the most happy to be off the stool used in the Acoustic Tour and steam-powering his way through the songs again.
When the harmonies kicked in on "Shine On Silver Sun," backed by Hawken's rapid runs up the keyboard and Coombes adding solid rhythm, it was clear the Strawbs brought more sound to the room than it could handle. If there was one regret it is that the mix diminished the vocals, a problem not so much on the familiar songs but unfortunate during the two tunes from the new album.
"New World" gave Cronk and Coombes both a nice opportunity to showcase their talents- it would have been nice to see what they would have done with "Tomorrow" off that same album. The next song was the previously mentioned "Burning For Me." This song has always been one of my favorites, and to hear it live, and with this arrangement, was exquisite. The song featured Hawken's haunting, ethereal piano work, and the emotional strains of Cousins vocal cut through the room like a beacon. Behind it all was Lambert, adding to the strain and tension of the earlier verses, and letting loose with Cronk and Coombes for the song's climax. It was perfect.
Next was "Simple Visions," one of Cousins most openly and unabashedly romantic songs. I've always admired the imagery Cousins evokes at end of the song, and the band really matched the passion and joy of the lyric, the feeling of being swept away by Lambert's swirling lead, or torn by the passion of Cronk's dancing bass notes.
The band then slid into "Autumn /Deep Summer's Sleep / The Winter Long." This song is the first I had heard by the Strawbs - my room mate in college had stolen his brother's copy of Hero And Heroine (sorry guys, no royalties from that one), and played the album while we were ostensibly studying for our midterm exams. Cronk's initial bass work pulled me in, the modulated build-up to Cousins' nice fretwork and vocal in "Deep Summer's Sleep," and by the time Lambert made his emotional plea over Hawken's sweet and evocative piano, I was hooked for life. That was 26 years ago, and I can't think of too many songs that have stayed with me, and still resonate with me to that degree, all these years later.
After a brief break, the band came back with another crowd pleaser (aren't they all though?): "Benedictus", with Cousins on dulcimer, before moving into "Ghosts," which was one of the highlights of the Acoustic tour. Few bands can move so effortlessly from the romantic poetry of "Simple Visions," to the somber, brooding "Autumn," the folk-based hymn of "Benedictus," to a rock-oriented epic like "Ghosts," and be so convincing and accomplished at every turn. Cousins has always been more chameleon than salamander, and the set list really demonstrated that the band is right there with him, changing with the mood each step of the way. And if anyone arrived at the show doubting Lambert's credentials as a rock guitarist, worthy of his place among the pantheon, listen to him perform "Ghosts" live.
One of the waiters at the Towne Crier joined our table and since he was privy to the set list, I asked if "Remembering/You And I" was included. I couldn't imagine a concert at which Hawken was playing and not have the Strawbs perform the song. Luckily, I wasn't disappointed. Cousins' lyrics of quiet resignation and fond remembrance, Hawken's keyboard evoking the melancholy that often accompanies nostalgia, the harmonies of Cronk, Cousins, and Lambert ringing the changes of a love affair – do you get the picture yet that if you're debating about driving an hour or two to catch this tour you would be wrong to miss it?
Lambert took center stage for "Heartbreaker," upping the tempo again as the show approached the end. This was followed by one of the new tunes off "Deja Fou," and for me, made clear what this Strawbs tour was all about. The song emphasizes in the chorus that "you can't hold back the march of time," but Cousins' performance proved the lie behind his own words. There's an artistry here, a technical skill, linked to a heartfelt passion that makes time itself immaterial. It was clear in the interplay of the band on stage, in the professionalism of the performance, the care taken in the order of the set list- playing emotion, idea, and tempo off each other throughout the night. Let no one be fooled, I didn't feel young again, it was just that being young or old didn't matter. The performance mattered. Time blew away with the roof.
"The River/Down by the Sea" brought the crowd to their feet (though they had been up before that as well). "Hero And Heroine" put them on their feet again immediately after. I've heard various live versions of this song, and I liked Cousins' vocal this night best of all.
For the first encore, Cousins, Cronk, and Lambert performed the second of the new tunes, the highly appropriate, "Here Today (Gone Tomorrow)," bringing out again that sense in Cousins of constant change, the passing of the moment. Somehow he always balances regret at the loss against joy in the moment, and thoughts of that sort must have been in each member of the audience's mind.
The final encore, "Lay Down," began a capella but built to a rousing finale- as welcomed a finish as it appeared obligatory. A great night, a real pleasure.
My wife and I saw the 6/26 show at the Town Crier. I can't tell you how happy I am that this Strawbs line-up decided to tour. What an amazing show!! It was one of those shows that you knew very early on you just didn't want it to end. An excellent set list (see below). "Out In The Cold/Round And Round is a great way to open the show; "Simple Visions" featured Chas on a beautiful twelve string acoustic. As I remarked to each member of they band afterwards in the bar, it was hard to believe it had been 25 years or so since this lineup last played live. When Dave C remarked that they'd only had a handful of rehearsals you had an even greater appreciation for what you'd just heard.
My wife and I were at the table right in front of Dave L, he was brilliant, great to see him on the electric guitar again, and the look on his face seemed to say that he was enjoying what was happening as much as the audience.
Dave C was in excellent voice and his new red Gretch had a beautiful sound, Rod and Chas were in excellent rhythm and John Hawken made it all whole.
It was a packed house and if they continue to get the type of reaction that they got at the Crier, I sincerely hope that they continue to do this and not "see us in 30" or as Dave C joked, maybe "only 20 years" again.
I'm catching them on 7/9 in NYC and I can't wait.
Just got back...set list the same as Towne Crier..all I can say is DON"T MISS THIS SHOW!!!! Best live line-up since the Nomadness tour. Can't wait to see them in a proper venue: the Strand and Joe's Pub next week (maybe Kroghs). Can't wait!!
Just got back from Pawling NY: Town Crier gig: for all those going to shows, count yourselves among the blessed. They were so fantastic it exceeded my expectations. I'm not one to keep track of set lists and all but there were some surprises, songs I thought I'd never hear them do. I don't want to ruin for you, they did do DBTS..they were in top form all around.
For the guitar heads out there Dave L. played a tuxedo Les Paul through a white tolex Marhall JCM 800 combo: a tuxedo Paul.. Make no mistake Dave L is an absolutely gifted musician . I went with a friend who's a major Yes head, he loved Dave L's playing and said it was reminiscent of Steve Howe. Dave was on . Chas Cronk just adds so much. vocally all three.. a stellar vocal mix.
Chas bass: a Fender Jazz bass through a G&K head with 4x10 aluminum cone drivers...killer tone.. Just what you want. Rod Coombes: tasteful,precise, and powerful..John Hawken: always loved JH .it was all there. no real mellotron.. had a Moog multi-synth as one key and what looked like a Korg master sound module/sampler ..apparently with mellotron patches.
Dave Cousins.. perfect voice,.hitting it all..playing his Gibson acoustic and yes, the dulcimer for "Benedictus".
Just got in from the show at the Towne Crier In Pawling, New York. Had a great time. It's been about 30 years since the last time I saw them - that was the Hero tour. The band got a very good reception and came back for several encores. When Mr. Cousins came back on he stated that we made four old men and himself very happy. As I was leaving the Cafe I let him know he made this old man very happy.
The Towne Crier Saturday night was just amazing. It so far exceeded my expectations - I was actually moved to tears! We have some great pictures and we'll get them to you at some point. Mike G. was working hard - he did an amazing job coordinating the stage stuff - did the work of 5 people.
Out In The Cold/Round And Round
Shine On Silver Sun
New World
Burning For Me
Simple Visions
Autumn
Benedictus
Ghosts
Remembering/You And I (When We Were Young)
Heartbreaker
This Barren Land
The River/Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round (reprise)
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
THE WINCHESTER, LAKEWOOD, OH, 25 JUNE 2004
Shortly after I discovered the Strawbs live in Tokyo dvd in an area mega-media store last month, I noticed a small ad in the local alternative paper for an appearance by the Strawbs at The Winchester, a small venue in a Cleveland Ohio suburb. Further research revealed the line-up would be the same as the one I saw in Houston, Texas in 1976! What a great opportunity to catch up with a band I have loved for many years.
Arriving at the club I saw a crowd pretty much like the one I would have seen a quarter of a century ago, only everyone was now middle-aged! It was (as usual) a mostly male bunch, but boy were they enthusiastic. A band couldn't ask for a more appreciative audience. We listeners were not disappointed as the Strawbs took the stage and launched into some classic songs from Hero And Heroine. The night was full of great renditions of many favorites of the early-mid seventies era tunes. A new song or two was included in the set, making me look forward to the release of the forthcoming CD.
I was told after the show that they'd had little rehearsal time and this was only the second show of the tour, but that sure didn't effect the playing or matter to me or the crowd, the music came to life and the great songs of this group came alive again. Not having seen Dave Cousins in years I was surprised to see his clean shaven face. He was quite jovial and I liked his rapport with the audience. Everyone seemed to genuinely be enjoying themselves onstage.
I have always loved the sound of Dave Lambert's guitar playing and it was great to be able to get up close and watch as he played and sang. I was amazed at the simplicity of his set up. To hear the classic keyboard "sounds" of John Hawken and the thundering bass of Chas was terrific. Rod's drumming powered the songs along beautifully. The club's P.A. was not overly huge so their sound was not deafening, my ears weren't ringing after the show. I think the sound guy did a pretty adequate job of mixing the band. The balance of all the players and the singers was pretty clear and even most of the evening.
When the playing was over the band came out into the crowd and were very approachable and gracious with the fans. It was a most enjoyable evening and a very memorable concert! If I had taken notes I would post the set list, but I'm sure many others in attendance know all those particulars better than I can recall. I did get some great pictures though!
Brian is owner of the Renaissance-Illusion-Stairway Yahoo! Discussion Group at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/RenaissanceIllusionStairway/
Magic descended upon The Winchester Theater in Lakewood, OH (just west of Cleveland) as the reunited electric lineup of the Strawbs took the house down with a night of hall-of-fame quality prog-rock. This was the second show of the all-too-brief Strawbs US Electric tour, which is only scheduled through July 2004.
The band featured the omnipresent sage Dave Cousins (vocals, acoustic and slide guitar), and Dave Lambert (electric lead guitar and backing vocals). Others in this current touring lineup were the band members with the Strawbs in 1974-75: John Hawken (keyboards), Chas Cronk (bass, 12-string guitar) and Rod Coombes (drums). This lineup proved to be the one associated with the greatest band success in North America. The band's lineup will change when the "electric Strawbs" tour Europe, in which Hawken, Cronk, and Coombes will step aside, and Blue Weaver (keyboards), John Ford (bass), and Richard Hudson (drums) will step in. Again, the lineup with Weaver/Ford/Hudson is the lineup that was the most popular in Europe during the early 1970s (specifically the "Grave New World" and "Bursting at the Seams" classics), while the 1974-75 lineup achieved the band's chart peaks with the albums "Hero and Heroine" and "Ghosts."
After the show, Dave Lambert commented on how the band continues as a brotherhood 30 years later because the Strawbs as an entity has a heart and a soul. On stage, the band showed a friendship reflecting a recently-reunited family, and the members' interplay on stage was both well-rehearsed and wonderfully spontaneous.
After opening with Hero and Heroine's "Out in the Cold," Hawken entered with a climactic heavy-synth segue to "Round and Round," which concluded with animated spoken verse by Dave Cousins with arm gestures that would remind the uninitiated of Joe Cocker or Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson. Cousins' dramatic flair with sung and spoken word and free-form gestures was indeed spellbinding throughout the night.
Other highlights from their 1974 album included the classics "Shine On Silver Sun," the title track "Hero And Heroine," and the breathtaking "Autumn" sequence, which could have easily served as the showstopper after the sing-a-long "Winter Long" coda to the Autumn trilogy. Their catalogue's earliest representatives were 1972's "Benedictus" and title track from the "Grave New World" album, while 1973's "Bursting from the Seams" was represented by the two-fer "The River" and "Down By The Sea," as well as the encore song "Lay Down." The other most audience-exciting tracks covered were "Ghosts" from 1975 and two new tracks from their forthcoming release (called "Deja Fou"), "This Barren Land" and "Here Today Gone Tomorrow."
Dave Cousins was in perfect voice for his uninhibited covers of the classics, while his 2 new songs seemed to be more reflective and restrained vocally, providing the audience an effective contrast of past visions and current views. Dave Lambert provided occasional lead vocal relief for Cousins on a few songs such as "Down by the Sea."
In an effective "coming full circle" of the over-90 minute set, the band concluded with another heavy-synth reprise of "Round and Round." Most every song led to a standing ovation from the appreciative sold-out audience of perhaps over 300. During the encore, Cousins deadpanned that "well, maybe we'll come back in another 20 years instead of 30…"
This fan is counting the days.
As I was driving the three hour trip north on I-77 towards Cleveland, Ohio on this Friday evening, I was fondly recalling the acoustic shows I had seen last Spring and Winter here in the Mid-West, and wondering what was in store for me with the reformed "Hero & Heroine" line-up of the '70's. I have been a Strawbs fan ever since a friend played "Hangman & the Papist" for me some 34 odd years ago, and was always a bit jealous of him because he had seen Strawbs in concert way back then in Philadelphia, Pa. Now it was my turn.
The Winchester Tavern is a typical establishment with a bar in the front and a concert stage with tables in the back. Tonight the open floor area was lined with folding chairs to accommodate the sold-out crowd that waited patiently through the opening act for the reason we were all there-to hear all those fantastic songs that have been part of my life for over 30 years, and to see these wonderful musicians who created them and continue to breathe life into them with this new electric tour.
Dave Cousins and band casually took the stage at 10 pm and, after thanking the crowd for being there, kicked off the show with "Out In The Cold/Round And Round," followed by "Shine on Silver Sun." Cousins playfully suggested that he wrote this next song on parchment paper, but when he ripped into the opening chords of "New World," he danced around that stage like it was 1974 instead of 2004.
Each band member was given a chance to shine that night, and shine they did, but it was the collective effort that created such a memorable evening. A roaring standing ovation followed each and every song, and even the new songs from the upcoming album (why do we still call them albums?) "Deja Fou" were greeted very enthusiastically.
The band ended its set where it started - with a reprise of "Round Ad Round," seeming to indicate that all endings have a new beginning. An encore followed: the new song "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow," then "Lay Down." It was almost like a religious experience....
After the show the band mingled with the crowd, talking, drinking some beers, posing for pictures and signing anything and everything the fans put in front of them. "Memorable" is a massive understatement.
Had the pleasure of seeing the Strawbs last night at the Winchester Pub on the west side of the Cleveland, Ohio area. The acoustic group had come through here to a sellout crowd (couple hundred or so) for a great show and my guess is this crowd was much the same people. Some already had Strawbs t-shirts which I assumed might have come from the prior night show in Rochester. A 4 piece progish group called I-N-T-R-A opened for an hour of fairly nice stuff littered with interesting keyboard flourishes. Various Strawbs roamed the area during this set as the club really only has what appears to be a small backroom behind the low stage, with only one entrance, so the band has to stay in there or wander out amongst the crowd for a beer or the lue as they say.
Show started at 9:50. John Hawken far to the left up against the wall really, and a little difficult for me to see. Chas next to him with Rod directly behind DC in the center and DL over on the right. Pretty good sound for the most part though the words were not as clear certainly as in the acoustic tour, though this was only a concern on the 2 new songs. Also thought the keyboards were a little difficult to discern on some pieces especially "Down By The Sea".
Set list is included though I can't vouch for the order but I'm sure other reports will be more accurate. After opening with "Out In The Cold/Round And Round", DC announced the next one as a song played acoustically last year for the first time and now electrically for the first time. I figured "Face Down In The Well" from the new CD was the one fitting those criteria but "Shine On Silver Sun" popped up--apparently for the first time electrically--vocal choruses were great. "New World" was very powerful. Highlight for me was the first ever live performance (except the night before I assume) of "Burning For Me", a song I really like and did not expect. Terrific, moody and moving with piercing guitar from DL...big ovation for this. For the most part the show had expected elements leaning on Hero And Heroine but the major albums were all represented except for Witchwood. "Simple Visons" which for me was a great encore on the two acoustic shows I saw, was also terrific in its electric form.
"Simple Visions" causes me to pause and talk about DC because he is so much fun to watch. Standing without his guitar on SV, "it was marvellous to see him again" arms flailing, passionately spouting his own words. We only got a small glimmer of that on the acoustic tour but here as the center of the group, he flailed, posed, bounced and almost jumped, directing the boys at various moments. I got a little worried for his health near the end as it looked like he was getting a bit winded. Though his voice was not as crisp as on the acoustic tour, I think that is the logistics of electric in a small club and also the choice of more powerful songs. Not much in the way of song intros this trip, few jokes about their ages. DL as always was wonderful on solos and in his clear enjoyment of this "new" Strawbs. Rod Coombes, I thought was one of the best drummers I have ever seen, very entertaining to watch, very active behind the drums and very subtle when it was called for. Chas and John were also clearly enjoying themselves, but as a non musician it is always hard to comment on the bass player. Nice to hear John's pre and post "Remembering" surrounding "You And I".
Dave only threw in 2 new songs but both were excellent. "This Barren Land" built nicely with a low key DC vocal and it feels like one of those songs that will sound great on CD with extra production. The first encore was DC, DL and JH only, on "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" a beautiful sad song that DC sang with real feeling and the crowd loved even when we might have been expecting something we knew. They finished with "Lay Down".
Great Show, about 1 hr 50. Unfortunately the new CD was not ready yet so that was a missed opportunity for us and for the boys to make some cash. T-shirts were selling though. Multiple standing ovations throughout the concert, so I think the electric Strawbs would have to be happy even with this admittedly very biased crowd.
It was great to see the Electric Strawbs on Friday night...My ladyfriend Pam and I drove from Cincinnati to Cleveland which is a 3 plus hour drive...it was well worth the trip :-)
When we arrived it was standing room only. Nothing like Thursday night when Pam and I checked the place out.. There was a guy with a cowboy hat on at the bar picking his tooth with a pic....and he was about it...a few in the back bar where the stage is.
First problem we knew there would be a parking problem...so I negotiated a parking space from the Dairy Queen owner next door from the Winchester Tavern....she said she said it was ok to park there....long as the were closed..and they closed when we pulled in after 7:30. Pam and I walked into Winchester Tavern around 8.....it was face to face with people.....they were not letting people into the back of the bar. I felt like I was at a Who concert reinactment. Everybody safely made it to their seats....Any wounds I would have have would be self inflicted :-) We got some fairly nice seats, sitting on some bar seats...high up ones......there wasn't a bad seat in the house...
The opening band was called INTRA, they put out some great music. I bought their CD after the show: well worth the investment. It's called Ear to Mind; their website is www.i-n-t-r-a.com. I believe they are a local band.
Then Strawbs came out....they played some songs from Deep Cuts and just about every song off Hero and Heroine. Seeing them acoustic and electric, well it's like a dream come true. I thought their sound was excellent...just thought the vocals could have been brought up a little louder; the bass was great - on that one part in Autumn I felt the bass in my stomach, when you can feel it right in your bones. Chas really had the place vibrating with his excellent bass playing.
It was great to meet everyone after the show, espcially Chas who recognized my name from the list (plus he saw my photo on the Americans Most Wanted). Chas was very cordial and I enjoyed talking to him. Really great see him not only on this list, but in the band now and in the past, Chas it was a pleasure to meet you.
I only wished I had written the set list. I don't want to say much more for those who haven't see them yet, I don't want to spoil anything :-). This time around the guys get a real sweating to the oldies workout, a lot more then sitting on the stools all night. They all must have been worn out after this, all that moving around the stage and they actually played for about 2 hours straight, with an inbetween set break, like when the did the Acoustic Tour last year. John Hawken was exceptional on keyboards, really nice sound - we just wished he was on Dave Lambert's side on the right: where he was on the far left, he appeared to be in a little pit....at least at this venue...
As I said my goodbyes to all at the Winchester Tavern, Chas Cronk ran up and said "sneaking out so soon Tom"? I said yeah we needed to get back to the hotel. Chas I really enjoyed talking to...only wish I wasn't so tired that night....or maybe I got a little overmotivated:-)
I was eating couple of those little White Castle burgers with Pam at the hotel room (we got too much food so i brought food out to the hotel clerk to see if he wanted them), then a young guy comes running in (maybe Mike Gebhart?) saying that a car is blocking the parking lot - he had a Strawbs shirt on and I asked if he had gone to the show - he looked familiar. He said the Strawbs were out in the car waiting. I went back to the room to tell Pam, and when I went back I only saw Dave Cousins come through the front door. I said "It's an honor to stay in the same hotel as Strawbs". Dave just walked on and said he was feeling kind of weary. I wanted to ask him to sing and play his banjo to "Oh So Weary" in the lobby, but somehow I didn't think he would find it amusing....so I figured I'd better not joke. I must have either missed the other guys, they must have used another entrance. My ladyfriend Pam said not to try to hunt them down because they will take me for a stalker and I am already on Americans Most Wanted....that is how Pam met me...but I am managing to stay two feet in front of the law :-)
The Electric show was excellent..Only one thing that Pam mentioned she liked more about the Acoustic Strawbs. With the Acoustic Strawbs the harmonizing was much more prominent. It is really nice the way Dave Lamberts joins in with Dave Cousins on some songs and harmonizes with him; some of this delicate harmonizing is lost on the electric show, in "Down By the Sea" to name one. The acoustic show is more sutble sounding ....and the electric show kind of changes that. But it was great to hear them done both ways. To see the Strawbs play electric was my dream come true. Than you guys and I hope you don't become strangers to us here in the US, we love you guys. Maybe sometime they could do unplugged with Chas on acoustic bass [highly likely later in the year Tom - DG] ...or standup like Ron Chesterman used to play...I think with a little percussion and keyboards, it would be a great idea..
Strawbs area like fine wine, they mellow with age; but with each year they taste better and better to my ears!!! Everytime I hear them they always sound fresh...what a great band they are....
MILESTONES, ROCHESTER NY, 24 JUNE 2004 and THE WINCHESTER, LAKEWOOD, OH, 25 JUNE 2004
England's Strawbs are currently touring the States, and they have put the jolt back into their shows...literally. This incarnation of the band has plugged in, and fans have been as electrified as the instruments. Toss the Feathers had the good fortune of catching the group's first two performances: in Rochester on the 24th and in Cleveland on the 25th. The line-up is a classic straight from "Ghosts": Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk, John Hawken and Rod Coombes.
The setlist ranged from audience pleasers like "Out in the Cold", "Round and Round", You and I (When We Were Young)", and "Ghosts" to more obscure numbers like "Burning for Me" and "Heartbreaker" to brand new material that will appear on the Strawbs' latest CD "Deja Fou". The expanded electric band allowed more diversity of arrangement than its acoustic counterpart. While Cousins and Lambert still provide the heart and soul of the group, Hawken, Cronk and Coombes provide the backbone. And you can dance to them.
Principal songwriter Cousins has always been the master of the anti-anthem. This band puts more drama into the delivery with guitarist Lambert leading the way. The best example was found in the performance of the harrowing "New World", an explosion of fury and menace that one hopes not to experience in reality until Judgment Day rolls around. On a less biblical note, the band finished both concerts with the medieval "Hero and Heroine" and treated the crowd to an encore that concluded with the hit "Lay Down". The electric Strawbs will continue to tour the east coast through July 12th.
MILESTONES, ROCHESTER NY, 24 JUNE 2004
First sighting of DC's shiny new Gretsch guitar
more of Warren's photos from the Milestones, Rochester gig
After nearly a 28 year gap of not seeing the electric Strawbs live, here comes a reunion of the band with the same guys who recorded the music that I still rate among my favorite to listen to. Since I saw the electric band last, so much has changed in all of our lives. Now here they are again and it was very clear they were enjoying this. To say Dave Cousins was beaming would probably be an understatement. He said to the crowd, "you've made 4 old men and me very happy."
After the show, it appeared they were in agreement the show went well (after two days of 4 and 5 hour rehearsals). As they engaged the crowd who brought collectibles to sign, it was clear that for many fans, it was hard to begin a conversation because nobody really knows these guys in any other way but their recorded music. Most people felt the same way, they wanted to share their experiences with the band but you just know the guys have heard stories over and over. Then you stop and say wait a minute, you only live once and you'd be kicking yourself if you left without saying anything to them. The fans are absolutely loyal to this band.
When asked about a possible electric reunion last Fall, David Cousins had this look of uncertainty about him. I'm sure this was in his mind but it would take some doing to make it happen. Now it has turned into a reality, and with the original band members that recorded Hero and Heroine and Ghosts. How neat is that?!!! Like Christmas in June! Well, Rochester was the first gig and the guys did not disappoint. The place was packed, everyone came with their memories and were ready to have a good time.
There were some in the crowd who came there uninitiated. A woman came in with her older brother who drove from Chicago to see this. She was told this is what we're doing tonight!!! Sure looked like she left a believer!!! There are so few dates- if you're thinking about checking them out, do it. You will thank yourself after the first song.
