Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Shine On Silver Sun
New World
Burning For You
Simple Visions
Autumn
Ghosts
Remembering/You And I
Heartbreaker
The River
Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round (reprise)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
CRICKET PAVILION, NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY, TEDDINGTON, THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2005
First of all, a word about the venue, the National Physical Laboratory. Although I have been listening to and loving the Strawbs' music for 30 years, I'm not that clued-up about their history. I assume that the NPL has some relevance to the band, and I'm sure Dick will be able to fill us in on this! But the fact is, this is the most wonderful, intimate venue you could ever imagine, with all the feel of an old-fashioned folk club. I had been at the Half Moon in Putney the previous week, where the reformed Hero And Heroine line-up turned in a performance that swooped and soared through their back catalogue, evoking cries of joy, roars of appreciation and, on occasion, reducing grown men like me to tears. ("The Winter Long" - it does it every time!) It would have been impossible to better that performance, but the NPL gig came extremely close.
Dick only suggested I write a review after the gig had ended and I couldn't get hold of a set-list, so hopefully he'll be able to supply one to go alongside this review. This leaves me free to concentrate more on the emotion of seeing this ultimate Strawbs line-up playing live.
The band looked great - much better, in fact, than the publicity photos being displayed in the foyer! They have all stood the test of time extremely well, but Rod Coombes must get a special mention for looking about 35, whereas he admitted to having played with Juicy Lucy at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon (where I live) in 1970, so I guess he can't be! He is certainly a power-house drummer who can be stunningly flashy when a song requires it, and then moments later provide the rhythm to a fragile ballad with breathtaking sensitivity.
John Hawken was hugely impressive behind his stack of keyboards, with a look of intense concentration occasionally giving way to a smile of satisfaction after a particularly tricky piece had gone exceptionally well (Which was always).
Chas Cronk, perennially smiling and frequently acknowledging the audience with grins and one-liners, played faultless, intricate bass throughout. He has the unusual knack of having a real stage presence which in no way detracts from the 'front man.' And he is also a stunningly fine bass and acoustic guitar player.
The two Davids were, as you would expect, just perfect.
Mr Cousins sang and played with his usual quirky, slightly aloof style, never giving too much away, which of course makes the audience want it more! He is the consummate front-man, cool, confident, note-perfect.
And Mr Lambert....well! Has anybody ever made a Les Paul sing in quite the way that he does? His face displaying the agony and the ecstasy that he seems to feel with every note that he wrings from his guitar, I have never seen a guitarist so full of passion. Just perfect.
David Cousins made several references to the fact that this might be the last time that this line-up ever plays together. All I can say is please, please, please, don't let it be. My wife and I brought 6 friends along, all of whom are now Strawbs converts and will come to all possible future gigs. Let's all do the same and make it worth their while to keep the band together. It is their living, after all!
And thanks to all of them, and to Tony at the NPL, for a really fantastic evening.
AXMINSTER GUILDHALL, AXMINSTER, WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE 2005
Dave and Chas, caught just going shopping before the gig at Axminster
Photo from Shirley Simm
I`d seen a couple of the acoustic sets in the last year or so and very pleasant they were too, with Dave C chatting about the story behind the songs, the intimate feel being as if the three of them had dropped into your living room and just happened to have brought their guitars along.
Now, they`ve dug out the keys and the drum kit, got Hawken and Coombes out of storage and connected the whole lot up to the mains.
Reader, it was great.
All the voices and fingers seemed to be on top form as we dipped into the back-catalogue, the pace moving smoothly between the fairly gentle - "When We Were Young", for instance - and the more bulgy-eyeball stuff; "Heartbreaker" say, a live first-timer for me. There was the best "Ghosts" I've heard, a solid "New World", and just when you though that it couldn`t get much better, somewhere during a brilliant extended instrumental ending to "The River" someone hit the full-out-stonk button. "Hero and Heroine" and "Round and Round" came at us like a, like a... well, one of those things.
My ears are very happy.
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Shine On Silver Sun
New World
Burning For You
Simple Visions
Autumn
Ghosts
Remembering/You And I
Heartbreaker
The River
Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round (reprise)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
ROBIN 2 CLUB, BILSTON, TUESDAY 28 JUNE 2005
It's strange how life works, sometimes. Years ago we met Dave Cousins – courteous, sociable, entertaining and modest – and by accident discovered The Strawbs though, by then, sadly, the band was no more. The records and CDs have, however, provided a wealth of pleasure over the past twenty years (we were very young when we met him). From time to time we managed to get to see him play with Brian Willoughby in various folk clubs: enjoyed the songs, the banter, broken strings, pauses for re-tuning, Brian's ability to spin the illusion that some-how he was playing two guitars simultaneously and we recall - by someone's shouted request - a mesmerising "Blue Angel" at the Red Lion, Kings Heath.
It's been quite a while since that last gig but my sister (bless her) gave us tickets for the Robin 2 Club, Bilston gig on Tuesday as a birthday gift and what can I say? Storms and floods to one side: Wow! With a back catalogue that must make putting together a show as much a nightmare as a pleasure we were presented with a succession of gems. It's no consolation but he has to be one of the most under-rated singer-songwriters of his generation. After the opening sequence of "Out In The Cold" and "Round and Round" driven by Rod Coombes drumming and Chas Cronk's superbly controlled bass work, both major features of the set, Dave Cousins looked exhausted – a reminder, perhaps, that none of us are getting any younger. That said, as the night went on his voice got stronger as he lived rather than merely sang his way through some of the very best Strawbs material.
Briefly, highlights of an evening to be remembered: a powerful, blistering, emotional "New World" and "Simple Visions"; beautifully realised "Autumn" rounded off by Dave Lambert's vocals and guitar; the tender, heartfelt "You and I" in spite of the poignancy of its closing lines. Then, as a climax, "The River", "Down By the Sea" and "Hero and Heroine" - on record they're good, on CD with the amplifier turned up you have to join in, live on Tuesday you were pinned against the wall: Rod Coombes and Chas Cronk's rhythms and timing underlying every song, John Hawken's 'wall of sounds' moving from textures suggesting frustration and pain, through symphonic rock to a full-on jig, Dave Lambert's power chords and delicate solo work drawing out every nuance of emotion or mood and Dave Cousins' heart-felt vocals and acoustic guitar firmly at the centre. Oh, and they rounded off the night with a version of "Lay Down" which, dare we say it, made the original sound a little muted, restrained even – this soared: we thought at one stage that Dave Lambert was about to take off! Great music. Great lyrics.
P.S. Like the new guitars Dave but we did miss your distinctive 12-string Ovation!
Where do I start, to describe this incredible evening? I suppose I should begin with the enormous stroke of luck which enabled me to be at the Robin 2 Club in the first place. For more years than I care to remember, it has been my ambition to see the Hero & Heroine line-up perform live, so the announcement on Strawbsweb that they would be doing a (very!) short tour in June was initially cause for celebration. This soon turned to frustration when I realised the nearest venue was over a hundred miles away, in the middle of a working week. Then, joy! My employers had the good sense and foresight to send me on a residential seminar to their Head Office in Stratford on the very week of the Robin gig. Stratford is only an hour from Bilston...!
Driving up the M6 on the Tuesday evening, my excitement was tempered by the darkening skies and streaks of lightning which appeared to be striking the ground with alarming regularity. By the time I reached the Black Country Road, the heavens had opened and for some reason, the lyrics to "Stormy Down" flashed through my mind.
The foregoing is simply to set the scene for an event for which the expectation level was already set at eleven, and the violent weather only served to complement the darkness of the material to be performed. Would the Strawbs be able to deliver? What a stupid question! From the opening bars of "Out in the cold" through to the final chords of "Lay down", this was a performance of passion & power, played by musicians of the highest calibre. It is a further tribute to the writing skills of Messrs Cousins et al that the songs which work so well in stripped-down acoustic form still blow the mind when cranked up and let off the leash.
Highlights? How long have you got? John Hawken's introduction to "The Winter Long", still one of the most beautiful melodies; Lambert rocking out on "Heartbreaker"; ensemble playing on "Burning for me", "Ghosts", "Hero & Heroine", "Round & Round", etc, etc, etc!
Needless to say this is a gig I shall never forget. Chatting to John Hawken afterwards he said how much they have all enjoyed this tour, but it is unlikely they will be able to repeat it. That would be a real pity as this band encompass all that rock music should be about. Please, please reconsider!
Returning to my hotel room in Stratford (I don't remember the actual journey, so if I cut you up on M40, I'll apologise here!) I reflected on what had been an almost impossibly perfect evening, and looking at my now signed copy of Hero & Heroine, a solitary tear fell from the corner of my eye...
Third gig in 3 days. Brilliant, but difficult to review because I'm running out of superlatives.
Mrs M didn't feel up to a third trip due to her swollen face, but No1 daughter Ella (19) nobly substituted. Down to the Black Country and Bilston. The sun shone all the way. After arriving we had a curry next door to the Robin 2. We then set off for the box office to get our tickets when a huge thunderstorm created a deluge.
Inside met with Witchwooders. Adie (talking to a relaxed DC), Alison, Nigel, Lindsay, Carole, Bob and Louise. (I hope I haven't left anyone out in this or previous reviews: they have all been written after driving home and before going to bed: It's now 3.45am).
The support was John Young who played keyboards and sang accompanied by a recording of his band. He was a bit of a curate's egg: good in parts. Some songs were average, but some were excellent. Ella insisted we buy the CDs (my money) and in the car home they are improving with familiarity.
Then the Strawbs.
The set list was the same as the last two gigs.
Ella (who has been to many gigs of various natures but mostly spotty youths in popular beat combo's) had 2 comments. Firstly, one of the best gigs she'd been to (NB check out my review of BATS + Brian last year). Secondly, several members of the band needed to pay more attention to their hair care products (noticeably conditioner).
The Robin 2 is a standing venue, and I was at the front by JH and CC. For the other gigs I was either at the right or in the centre. To see Chas and John up close was a real privilege. The mellotron synth was louder, and where I was was perfect. Lindsay later told me she felt it was too loud: I still like her even though she's wrong. IMNSHO the Mellotron can NEVER be too loud. It was nice also to be reminded how intricate are the bass parts Chas plays.
All band members played wonderfully well, and seemed to be enjoying themselves more than at the Arc.
The last three days have gone by all too quickly. I've never followed a band like this before and I've enjoyed them and the camaraderie of Witchwood immensely. But.... now it's back to the day job. The soundings for a future electric tour are not good. I hope for the future, but if not, it's a bloody good way to go. Now it's time for my haircut.
Out In The Cold
Round And Round
Shine On Silver Sun
New World
Burning For You
Simple Visions
Autumn
Ghosts
Remembering/You And I
Heartbreaker
The River
Down By The Sea
Hero And Heroine
Round And Round (reprise)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
ARC, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, MONDAY 27 JUNE 2005
The last time I remember seeing this line up was at the now demolished Mayfair in Newcastle in about 1974 so when an opportunity to catch up with the band presented itself I had to go.
The venue was visited earlier this year by the acoustic line up so its location was known to me and for once I didn't get lost.
On arrival we popped into the bar (just to be sociable of course) and met up with one or two other regulars who just happened to be there.
The gig started and at once it was evident that this was a special event. The set was played straight through with no break which really suited the atmosphere in the auditorium. There's no point in singling out any songs for particular praise, all were delivered exactly as I hoped and expected. The sound quality was excellent and enhanced every song. These five guys "gelled" in such a way that you would have thought they had played together for many years. Rod Coombes' drumming was inspired, John Hawken exceptional, and the acoustic trio lived up to all expectations.
After what seemed like five minutes it was all over. Two encores and they were gone.
As usual many of the audience stayed back to thank the lads in the bar afterwards. This is greatly appreciated by everyone and allows for personal mementos to be signed.
What else can be said …..five exceptional musicians, songs that touch the heart by one of the foremost folk/rock song writers, and "Simple Visions" blasting throughout the Arc.
I enjoyed that!
Outstanding, brilliant, etc., etc.
Yesterday at the Farm it was a Witchwood event. Meeting up in the day and sharing a half of bitter shandy between 9. There was the intimate atmosphere of the gig...and THAT sound system. The band played superbly, but were always fighting a rearguard action against the sound.
Today at the Arc in Stockton-on-Tees it was the Witchwood concert. The sound system was superb, and brought out every subtle nuance. The band were obviously much happier, and were clearly enjoying themselves.
John Hawken's keyboards shone through, although to my ears, the mellotron simulator was too low in the mix. When I spoke to him after, he promised that the sound of the mellotron tomorrow would "rip my ears off".
The whole performance was immense, and to single out one song is harsh to the rest, but "Burning for Me" was a sublime moment. This represented a perfect blending of all 5 members of the band.
During "Heartbreaker", while Dave L was striking a guitar hero pose, Dave C and Chas looked at each other and jumped into a momentary guitar hero pose themselves, clearly enjoying themselves. During the reprise of Round and Round, all 5 Strawbs looked at each other smiling. Their obvious enjoyment increased that of the audience.
Post gig, there were Witchwood photos: this chap who said his name was Chas insisted on being included, but he wasn't wearing a badge.
A brilliant experience.
Last night's show at the excellent Arc venue in Stockton really was something else....ace sound, truly electric (in every sense) performance, the guys had an absolute blast, and didn't their enjoyment shine through in the music? The best electric sound and tone, from mellow creamy bass thru take-your-head-off treble, I've ever heard from Dave L...clearly having great fun with some awesome pick slides and power chords, and Townsend-style leap in the air. A special mention for truly fab drumming from Rod, wow, he makes it look so easy ....the bass drum sound on "Autumn" was sensational, also a great keyboard mix mostly, and fantastic to chat to John Hawken, he had us chuckling in the bar, and I didn't realise he is a superb caricaturist...he sketched some brilliant stuff as we watched, but threw them away, saying he could do better!
Just to say thanks for the excellent gig last night at Stockton. Really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one, whether 'electric' or 'acoustic'.
Photo from Lynne Madeley
Out in the Cold
Round and Round
Shine on Silver Sun
Grave New World
Burning for You
Simple Visions
Autumn
Ghosts
Remembering/You and I
Heartbreaker
The River
Down by the Sea
Hero & Heroine
Round & Round (reprise)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
THE FARM, CHAPEL-SAINT-LEONARDS, SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2005
What a good day!
The Witchwood moved to the Admiral Benbow at Chapel-St- Leonards. Apart from yours truly and Mrs M, there were Les and Sue; Andy; "new, young Pete"; Nigel; Lindsay and Carole. Basking in the sun and alcohol, we solved the major issues of world poverty, who is the best keyboard player in the Strawbs and Lindsay and Carole's misspent youth (by Nigel: yes he is keeping a list of quotable quotes). Then "Back to the Farm".
The Farm is an interesting venue. There was an open music session happening: allegedly. The food was (eventually) met with comments of "great" to "OK". While at the Farm we met another Witchwooder, Neil from the Beeb.
There was (to me) a surprise support band. This was a dilemma: stay in the bar or show willing. I willed, and what a good decision this was, as "Dead Like Harry" were the best support I have seen since I saw Dr Feelgood support Hawkwind XXXX years ago. I bought their CD, but have not yet had the chance to listen to it. Certainly live they are well worth a listen.
Then came the Hero And Heroine line-up. Overall this was a great experience, but the sound quality detracted from a potentially great band performance. To my ears, the system was not up to the volume at which it was being played resulting in distortion: but this was not the distortion that a very powerful sound system will give (as it is treatable by ear plugs).
It was clear that despite the sound difficulties, every member of the band was giving his all.
Individual highspots:
DC singing and waving arms with feeling (especially "Simple Visions").
JH's keyboards on "Round and Round".
DL's guitar on (esp) "Shine on Silver Sun" (due to subtlety) and everything else due to over enthusiasm.
Chas playing every bass line perfectly with gusto and (seemingly) effortless precision.
RD's playing everywhere. On recordings I've wondered if he uses too much cymbal, but tonight "wow". During "Hero And Heroine" his playing was precise, full of enthusiasm, and from the grins he kept giving he was obviously really enjoying himself.
Overall score: Band 10 Sound 5
Photo from Lynne Madeley
My personal highlight:
Finally getting to see John Hawken play. I came rather late in their life (but early in mine: honest) and had seen all the others live before.
Overall assessment:
Best left to Mrs M. She accompanied me to this gig, but was leaving me on my own to attempt the next two. Immediately after the band finished she rang our 19 year old daughter to ask for permission to come again tomorrow.
SEE this line-up!
Photo from Lynne Madeley
A great evening for any Strawbs fan, and a must see, particularly for any (like me) who first got to know them well in the Bursting at the Seams/Hero & Heroi/albtrack/ghosts era. The best performances of "New World" and "Hero And Heroine" I have ever heard/seen, and "Burning For Me", "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow", and "Heartbreaker" also stood out for me. I refer to the performances not the sound, as all this was despite a sound system which left much to be desired. There was a vibration of epic proportions somewhere about the stage (which Chas was noticeably searching for during some numbers), and this seriously afflicted some of the quieter numbers. "This Barren Land" was left out tonight.
What a strange evening in some ways though, particularly after the Putney reviews and stories of standing up, rocking out, and hips thighs and bums twisting and turning. This was like sitting in someone's front room - a row of settees and armchairs round the back of the room, with everyone else sitting on the carpet in front, whilst a greyhound and another dog (the oldest I have ever seen) wandered around looking for scraps paying no attention to the music at all. Now and again someone came out from the kitchen with a plate of food. There was something faintly reminiscent of the middle ages about it all with the performers up on stage playing their hearts out, and the squire and his guests lounging around a country manor with the dogs, quaffing ale, smoking, and generally having a debauched old time. The rocking out was converted to a kind of rhythmic twitching among those on the floor, either as a result of the great music, or in my case to try and restore the blood supply to my legs. Three hours on the floor is a long long time.
The support band, Dead Like Harry, were very good. Some but not all of them supported the Acoustic Strawbs in Sheffield a few years ago, and they have come on a lot since then. Worth keeping an eye out for in future.
Someone at Putney commented on Dave C's apparent frailty early in the gig. I thought much the same here at first. He looked rather ill at one point, swayed around a bit, put his hand to his brow leaning with his elbow on his guitar, seemed to recover, and then it happened again. Others noticed it too, but ultimately the general consensus was that he was probably "getting in part" for "Round and Round", "New World" and others.
The evening was introduced by the fabulously be-hatted host from The Farm as "our mini Glastonbury"... Overheard in the toilets just before the gig : "Are you going to watch the Strawbs then?" ... "Well I don't know, I watched it last night and thought the Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay were great. Might not bother tonight though. Have you ever been to Glastonbury yourself?". You see, that all means that to the average punter "The Strawbs" and "Glastonbury" do fit into the same sentence. Perhaps for 2007, Michael Eavis will introduce The Witchwood Tent?"
Some surreal moments like being face by a 10 foot high strawberry on entering Chapel village. Big welcome from the locals I thought, but it was actually the location of a "pick your own" (see photo). The venue was excellent in many ways. Sat outside eating next to the outdoor stage (not used) as people pitched tents gave the air of a festival and the site of 2 dogs pacing around the audience was something unique in my (indoor) concert going. Talking to the venue owners, I got the impression they really like their music.(Who needs Glastonbury?)
Badges: genius innovation. Those, along with Witchwood, leave friendsreunited standing as I've never made so many new friendships in one day.Along with those who Pete mentioned I was also approached by Steve Young and Les from Spalding. While most people stayed at the Grange I was at the Vine and shared breakfast (and Strawb related conversation) with Neil from the Beeb.
Agree with Pete about Dead Like Harry, I bought the CD and played it a couple of times on the way home and it's excellent.
Giant Strawberry Welcome.
See some happy Witchwooder photos by Andy Slack
Out in the Cold
Round and Round
Shine on Silver Sun
Grave New World
Burning for You
Simple Visions
Autumn
Ghosts
Remembering/You and I
Heartbreaker
This Barren Land
The River
Down by the Sea
Hero & Heroine
Round & Round (reprise)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Lay Down
HALF MOON, PUTNEY, WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2005
The venue is the back room of a pub on Lower Richmond Road, Putney close to the river Thames. I saw the band once before at the same venue in 1983 after their appearance at the Cambridge Folk Festival, the only survivor from that line-up being DC. The gig itself was sold out, I estimated about 150+ people.
Let me say from the outset that the sound mix wasn't the best at all times, however the band were brilliant. For me this gig compared with Trowbridge and Bloomsbury. I stayed at the back next to the bar, for purely sound purposes of course!!.
I could break down each individual song but I won't, suffice to say that "New World" was one of the best versions I've heard, "Autumn" was stunning except for the link between parts 1 and 2 and "The River/Down By The Sea" was so different, hearing it as a close to the original, that is guitar and keyboards driving it along as opposed to the previous dual guitar of Brian and DL. "Burning for You" and "Simple Visions" also stood out.
Whilst it is great to hear the acoustic versions of these songs, there's nothing like the "original" (as in LP versions) songs. "Autumn" is SO different when keys are included.
If the band can overcome the mixing problems which I felt marred an otherwise excellent performance then UK fans out there can expect an excellent, albeit all too short, UK tour. DC was in fine voice as were DL and Chas. Enough to say I just closed my eyes sang along, played air guitar (as appropriate) and imagined the guys were playing just for me ........ and you know what ... they did just fine.
I'm now SERIOUSLY considering the last NPL gig (please can I go dear.. grovel grovel).
The sun rose into a clear blue sky and proceeded to bake the little town on the south coast. High on a windswept ridge overlooking the town, the man cowered in his house, not even daring to go to the front door to collect the milk that was fast turning into cheese on the step. It was midsummer. The sun would never be higher, the sky could never be bluer, and it was hot. What could tempt this withered soul to leave his refuge?
The answer, of course, is a Strawbs gig almost on his birthday. Abandoning all thought of a leisurely journey to Putney in the afternoon and a languid early evening spent with pie and chips by the river, he decided to leave as late as possible and rely on the railways to deliver him in time and not too exhausted by the heat.
Thus freshly showered and in a whole fresh set of clothes, he set off for the station and was indeed delivered, a mere hour and a half later, to the door of the Half Moon in Putney, although by now the fresh clothes were no longer as clean and dry as they began. Clasping a pint of extra cold guinness, he made his way tentatively into the back room of the pub to find it already well packed with grey-haired or balding fat men so was somewhat surprised to so easily identify Dick Greener [thanks Paul., much appreciated - DG].
After a mere twenty minutes of standing listening to people talking to one another in the manner of Woody Allen in Annie Hall, the band took the stage. It was the vanilla Hero and Heroine line-up – Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk (now rechristened by DC "Chas Kerrrronk"), Rod Coombes and John Hawken.
DC left the stage almost immediately – someone said he had forgotten his glasses, but I think it far more likely he had forgotten his glass, and Lambert opined that he should have gone before he came out – but when he got back they launched straight into "Out In The Cold".
Cousins looked tired and a little bit frail to begin with, but there was no sign of this in his voice which was as powerful as ever and, indeed, as the evening wore on, he appeared to be enjoying himself more and more. The band was its usual excellent self with everyone shining, although John Hawken's keyboards seemed rather far back in the mix, which some people might find disappointing.
"Out In The Cold" segued into "Round And Round" with Lampoon supplying superb lead guitar over the closing chords.
There was very little chat between the songs. DC commented it was "thirty years on" and then Lampoon began the opening notes of "Shine On Silver Sun", which they played at a stately pace. This was followed immediately by "New World" and suddenly I realised the thing I love and have always loved about Dave Cousins is this passion that he brings unfailingly to these wonderful songs. The first time I heard this, in the Shaw Theatre in 1971, I was moved to tears, and this performance was no less powerful or affecting and Chas Kerrronk even managed to play all the John Ford licks without making them sound ostentatious the way Ford does. A great song.
Dave Cousins now introduced the members of the band "in case you thought we were some sort of mediocre tribute band" and then John Hawken's keyboards and Rod Coombes' cymbals with Lambert's guitar wailing in from behind introduced "Burning FYou", a song I had never heard live before. Again, a superb performance, with Cousins' impassioned vocals beautifully set in front of the tinkling piano and Lambert's tortured guitar. Priceless.
"Simple Visions" followed, with DC's molynologist leanings clearly demonstrated, then he did his little spoken introduction to "Autumn" and there was a slight false start as John Hawken didn't get the opening riff quite right but this was soon forgotten as the full magnificence of the band asserted itself with the almost symphonic instrumental opening of the song played to near perfection. DC's gentle guitar and then his voice are a perfectly-set rough diamond in this gorgeous music.
Next up was "Ghosts" with that lovely opening riff that I have got used to Lampoon playing tinkling out instead from John Hawken's keyboard, making it sound suddenly like a fairground organ. The two Dave's voices make a great job of sounding reassuring and threatening in equal measure and I wonder if any child could really go to sleep to that exhortation.
Another gentle opening led into "You and I When We Were Young", again played to perfection. The mellow mood this created was abruptly broken by echoing guitar chords from the Lambert corner, and suddenly we were launched into a note-perfect version of "Heartbreaker" and for the third or fourth time this evening I felt privileged to be seeing a performance close-to that so patently belonged in a stadium with twenty thousand fans roaring along.
DC now introduced a new song from Deja Fou, and performed "This Barren Land", a song that feels as if it may grow to be as mighty as "New World".
Back on familiar territory, the tense and sinister opening chords of "The River" give way beautifully to DC's turning a new leaf in that wonderfully regretful and yet resentful tone. This song is magnificent and they did it justice here, with Hawken's keyboards filling in so delightfully behind DC's suddenly ferocious voice. Goosebumps time! The segue into "Down By The Sea" was flawless and then the long stately play-out at the end was a gorgeous tapestry of keyboards and the band and Lambert's smoking solo guitar filled in the end of the song to perfection.
Final song was "Hero And Heroine" and it was great to hear it sung in the way I first heard it, on the album. We have become used to the Acoustics jig version, but this is also stunning. And, in a surprise ending, it segued back into a reprise of "Round And Round" and a final opportunity for Lampoon to shine on the lead guitar.
They went off to rapturous applause and an audience that plainly wanted more, so after a few minutes, DC returned with just Hawken and Lambert and sang "Here Today And Gone Tomorrow". Hawken again supplied the perfect backdrop to Cousins's voice first and then Lambert's moving quiet lead solo guitar. This may be a new song, but it is every bit as accomplished as the other older songs they performed this evening.
Finally, the rest of the band came on and the now obligatory a cappella opening led into a magnificent closer, "Lay Down".
When they finished, DC said he would see us all in the bar so I knew he meant it and fled for the door. I was first at the bar and got my second extra cold guinness of the evening and eventually other witchwooders showed up. It was nice to see everyone, but tomorrow is my birthday – today now – and I wanted to get home and to be as early as possible so I made my excuses – only to meet Chas on my way out of the door. I opined it was too loud for me and he said it was for him, too – his ears had closed up half way through and he had been playing by numbers. He could have fooled me.
Back in Brighton, the baked town on the south coast, and walking home from the station, the full moon beamed down from a cloudless sky. From Half Moon to full moon in an hour and a half is not bad going. I hope to see you all in Teddington next week.
Reading back over this, I have used the word "perfect" rather a lot. Hmm. Does anyone know a good synonym for "perfect"? No? Then I'll stick with the repetition, because it was a perfect night.
Last Strawbs gig I went to, I only had to drive 5 minutes to enjoy the Somerset leg of the all too short Bursting at the Seams line-up tour from a year ago. This time it was 180 miles on what must have been the hottest day of the year so far.
It has been just over 31 years since I saw this line-up and to be fair, on that occasion it was just "The Strawbs". I wasn't educated in the history of all the personnel changes and as long as they played Part of the Union and Lay Down, it all seemed jolly fine to me. Having seen Blue Weaver, Richard Hudson, John Ford and the lovely Brian Willoughby so many times over the previous 5 years, this time it felt a bit like accidentally catching your best mate with his mistress! A slight guilt but good for him if he gets away with it. (That all made sense in the car coming back this morning but now I've written it down, I may be the only one who knows what the hell I'm talking about!).
Here was a line-up that had almost completely severed any remaining folk roots and had evolved into a pretty hefty, heavy duty rock band. And what a set! Wonderful to hear "Heartbreaker" from Dave Lambert and the Hero and Heroi/albtrack/ghosts period songs but also a stunning rendition of "The River" and "Down By the Sea". I'm sure many left the Half Moon composing excuses as to why they need to go to other gigs on the tour. I'm working on a couple of good ones for Axminster and the NPL. So would love to write more but there's a huge pile of ironing which could earn me so many concert points that I really must get on with it.
I second, third and whatever else everyone's comments about last night's gig. Great to see so many die-hards rallied together on a night like that, the Half Moon was full and even the real moon was full.
"Out in the Cold"/"Round and Round", "Burning for Me", "Heartbreaker" and, as ever, "Simple Visions" were stand out tracks for me. Sound was fine where I was standing too, about third row back. I remembered from last time that the Half Moon seemed to be the meeting place for the stilt-walking society so couldn't bear the thought of staying at the back (EVEN THOUGH THAT'S WHERE THE BAR IS) as I wouldnt see a lot, so I fought my way through the packed crowd to the front.
One from Deja Fou I'd love to hear with this line-up is "Under a Cloudless Sky", which I love, though I think with the heat making it feel like we were all cooking in the casbah maybe "NRG" would have been appropriate.
Ahhhhh, what complete MAGIC to hear a true rock lineup again last night! So many great things about this gig. The others have already told of the fine songs with which the Strawbs killed Judi :) [DG Witchwood joke!] so just a few personal comments and reflections here.
First, it was lovely to meet John Hawken at last. He came and chatted to a number of us in the bar beforehand, including telling us about his band back in the US. He said they are doing covers of songs like "Nutrocker"; as that's always been a favourite I'm now hoping they will do a CD I can get hold of.
The pub had probably a couple of hundred photos of artists who've played there arrayed up on the walls of about three quarters of the, large and fairly high-ceilinged, bar room. Before the doors to the music room were opened, I noticed a cute-looking one of Rick above the music room door; afterwards I found one of the Strawbs (BATS lineup) beside the front door. A real talent gallery on the walls of this pub.
As soon as we were allowed into the venue, I shot across to the merch stand and bought OANLT and High Seas. I was listening to the latter in the car home afterwards - mmmm, I really am looking forward to playing this a lot more!
Then, finally, Strawbs hit the stage and we were away. This lineup was more than worth the time I'd had to wait to see them. Dave sang the 'proper' words to "Out In The Cold"; "New World" was powerful indeed; lovely to hear "Burning For You"; and all the others. The various different voices John was using from his keyboards added a colouration that seems unique to this lineup. Yes, there were sound glitches and a few things, but what really stood out above all else was that they REALLY ROCKED. This was one of those gigs where your hips, thighs and bum decide they just won't stay still and insist on hurling themselves about! Undoubtedly the rockiest Strawbs gig I can remember.
My only wish was that they had also played "Cut Like A Diamond". It would have fitted just superbly with last night's powerful, hard-edged playing, and probably served as a great and fitting climax.
The Strawbs at Putney - WOW.
After spending years listening to Hero and Heroine and Grave New World over and over in secret on my portable breeze block of a cassette player, (as a teenager I wasn't allowed to listen to that "Druggie Music"! - Parents, they just don't understand - hold on a moment I am the parent of a teenager now, whoops), Putney allowed my Strawberry Wish to come alive! It was fantastic - to hear "Autumn" live and as good, if not better than a studio recorded version, and again I found myself sniggering behind my hands at the naughtiness of "Out in the Cold". Dave Cousins voice enchanted me and the real Dave Lambert - swoon! Oh dear how sad am I. It was good to discover them again, and find the years had not cramped their style or made them any less exciting.
Thank you Strawbs for giving the opportunity to enjoy A Night Like This.
Overview
Well, I admit it, didn't make Putney, but feel blessed and privileged during the rest of the tour, to have seen some classic and perhaps also the finest exhibition of music from Strawbs in all the decades that I have followed the band, throughout all their incarnations.
Now before any one gets too excited, this is not the "Tales from the Witchwood" trilogy, that will come later, once I have complete legal clearance. (DG - help they are after me !)
So what else can I say that probably hasn't already been said;
Music to the extreme edge of invention, music with loads of complex paths, put together by musicians of limitless talent, who have defeated the passage of time. Add to this, no little humour, humility and their own personal pleasure thrown in for good measure and what you get is an exhilarating mix that delighted all fans present.
Chapel St Leonards was outstanding, held back slightly by the sound system, but to see these 5 together again and in cracking form after such a long time away, was a joy to behold. By the time Stockton came and went we were all in the stratosphere, never coming down from the clouds, as the gigs just continued upwards from that high level, somehow still managing to get better and better. (Well, that high would have lasted forever, but for the drive home from NPL, when it was time at last, for reflection that this short tour was over, all too soon.)
You just cannot buy the feeling of exhilaration that this tour gave at any price. My own delight, shared by so many others as we all enjoyed this wonderful experience together. Everyone was smiling with and from their eyes.
We have been blessed; so to Chas, the two Dave's, John, Rod and of course not forgetting master of all and general good egg Neil, a huge thank you, this week will last a lifetime.
Oh, and by the way NPL was just a dress rehearsal for the next time, wasn't it?
