Updated: 9 Nov 2005
Part 1 - First leg - 07 to 19 October
Part 3 - Third leg - 01 to 13 November
TOWNE CRIER, PAWLING, NY, THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER 2005
More photos from Erik
STEPHEN TALKHOUSE, AMAGANSETT, NY, FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER 2005
The Stephen Talkhouse is a very small, rustic venue on the very eastern end of Long Island. It seems every time I go there it rains but that just adds to the atmosphere - picture a pub by the sea with the misting rain and smell of the salt in the air. It's like being transported to a different era (and this was before I had anything to drink!)
The night was indeed magical - Dave C was incredibly exuberant and all were in great voice. There were a few little quirks with the sound but they did not detract from the songs. Dave C told the usual stories along with a few new ones. He is an incredible story teller. And Dave L got in a good one at Dave C's expense. (He did last time too - must be the place).
The music was incredibly full - I asked Dave L after the show if there were any musical enhancements in the background and he said "No, that's Chas on the bass pedals". And speaking of Chas, he was incredible on the bass, 12 string and harmonies. Dave L sounded the best I've seen him - really wonderful vocals. I just love his vocals on "Autumn", "Oh How She Changed" and "Ghosts"; and of course "Cold Steel".
One problem with the Talkhouse is that the bar crowd tries to intrude on us serious Strawbs junkies - talking between songs and there's always a yahoo or two you'd like to put down. But notice I said tried - they did not succeed in making a dent in the boys' good mood, nor mine either. It was a great night!
More photos from Laura
BELLVILLE OPERA HOUSE, BELLVILLE, OH, WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2005
Just got back with Pamela from seeing the guys play at the Bellville Opera House in Bellville, OH and it was nothing short of fantastic. The people that run the Opera House, Fate and Melanie, are really nice people and it's one of the nicest venues I have been to yet. The food and beverages were great and seating was really nice. If the guys ever played there again I would definitely attend..
I hadn't see the band acoustic before with Chas, I had only see them when they did the electric tour and then a couple times with Brian W. The band sounded great with Brian but without him and with Chas the band has a more full sound. With Chas hitting the bass pedals and switching from bass to 12 string the sound was so rich - I was going to say all they need is drums, but why clutter up the purity of the sound they have now.
They played two sets and the stories that Dave tells are incredible. Pam, my girlfriend, was saying that Dave could put out a CD of children's stories, or something along that line. We both loved all the stories he tells at the beginning of the songs. Dave Cousins had his wild striped socks on again...haha. Pam pointed them out to me and I said "yep there they are" - she didn't know about his fashion sense.
The show went by so fast but it was wonderful...They played "Golden Salamander" and "Antique Suite" so I got my wishes. Also "A Glimpse Of Heaven" and then I was in heaven. Speaking of being in heaven., the way Dave Lambert plays his guitar: I was watching how fast and hard he plays it, and how he hits the notes - I thought at one point all the strings would break. He is amazing, he is uniqiue and there aren't many that can play like him. Everyone was watching him slackjawed last night including me. Then the guys played the beautiful song "If" written by Dave I think, he sings it nevertheless. I loved the song when I first heard it and thought it had beautiful lyrics. Pam my girlfriend loves the song as well and feels that "If" should be a top 40 hit. And she also wants to use it as our main song to dance to at our wedding. Now we can't wait to see the Strawbs play again.
So began another wonderful concert by the Acoustic Strawbs last week at the Opera House in Bellville, OH. Three voices in perfect harmony, three guitars sounding like an orchestra. The evening was cold, the Strawbs beginning to show signs of fatigue on their faces from the hundreds of miles, 5-6 shows a week, but they played with strong voices and stronger spirits.
Highlights of the evening for this listener were "Golden Salamander", "Ghosts", "Autumn" (always a favorite), "Antique Suite", "If" and "A Glimpse Of Heaven", although each and every song was a highlight. The only disappointment was they didn't play "Hero And Heroine" during the encore.
Bless the Strawbs for putting their hearts, souls and immense talents into every performance.
WKSU-FM, KENT, OH, SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2005
Greetings from WKSU-FM in Kent, Ohio. The Strawbs came in on Thursday 27 October to play exclusive live songs for us along with an interview. The guys couldn't have been nicer. In fact, we were all blown away by not only their performance but general attitude and vibe. No egos, no rock and roll mentality, just three normal guys (along with their great road manger Neil). It's always great when you meet such a classic band, only to discover how genuine they really are.
WKSU hosts a 24-hour folk music internet radio station-- www.folkalley.com. Soon, in a month or so, you will be able to hear and download the four songs the Strawbs performed live in our studios and hear the exclusive interview.
But all in all, their performance here was great. I can't wait to get the songs mixed and posted soon for all to hear. Special thanks to Pat Garrett too for his help. More to come
THE WINCHESTER, CLEVELAND, OH, SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2005
Though I did not write down the set list this is what I remembered:
Benedictus
Simple Visions
The Hangman And The Papist
Golden Salamander
Ghosts
Cold Steel
Shine on Silver Sun
Autumn
Oh How She Changed
Antique Suite
Barcarole (for the Death of Venice)
New World
If (I Should Live A Thousand Years)
Lay Down
Hero And Heroine
I am Robert R. Rearick and with My Lady, Maggie an my old pal Tom we just saw The Acoustic Strawbs at The Winchester. The Winchester is an intimate club in Lakewood, Ohio (just outside of Cleveland). A wonderful venue somewhat akin to seeing a live band in your living room (If your living room had a great sound system and room for about 300 people).
Having seen the Strawbs three times previously when they played Cleveland I was determined to see them again. (The first time being some 30 years ago and the next the Acoustic Strawbs 3 years ago and the Electric Strawbs last year - both of the last two appearances at The Winchester.) I was first in the door. The Winchester is a tavern with a concert hall behind it so we got to cool our heels and wet our whistles in the bar during the sound check.
Opening for the Strawbs we had a comedian named Mr. Sunshine and well if I might borrow a line from "Shine On Silver Sun", the laughs were in short supply. Thankfully we were not subjected to this individual for the full 30 minutes for he was essentially heckled off the stage. We felt a bit sorry for the guy but his material was a bit uh flat.
Now eagerly awaiting the real entertainment we were not to be disappointed when a few minutes later The Acoustic Strawbs were introduced. They opened with "Benedictus" and the harmony was sublime; Chas's voice blending with the Daves voices left me grinning from ear to ear. A grin that stayed through the entire performance. The blend of instruments and voices that is the Acoustic Strawbs is by far one of the best concert experiences anyone could wish for. Amazingly wonderful, beautiful, shining, intense rapturous musical enjoyment.
After the performance we were invited to meet with the band in the bar and had not my significant honey had to work early (6am) we would have stayed longer as it was I intercepted Dave Cousins on the way to the bar and presented him with a painting I had made of the Willoughby line up (done from memory) of their performance at The Winchester 2 years (or so) ago.Ah but then the crowd closed in and we had to run. In closing I would like to say what I told Mr. Cousins after that performance "I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU DAVID. THAT WAS WONDERFUL!
Photo and picture by Robert Rearick
More photos from Michael
FITZGERALD'S, BERWYN, IL, SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER 2005
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Hangman and the Papist
Witchwood
Barcarole
Cold Steel (awesome)
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Ghosts
Oh How She Changed (highlight)
Dragonfly
New World (incredible)
If
Lay Down
Hero And Heroine
A Glimpse of Heaven
I attended the show at Fitzgerald's in suburban Chicago on Saturday night along with approximately 110 enthusiastic fans. Those in attendance were obviously familiar with The Strawbs and their work. Many came equipped with LPs for signing. This is an odd sort of venue. The boys played at the front of a long narrow room with tale chairs set in rows to the back. It was very intimate and the 4 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis paid off when my friend and I were able to latch on to second row seats for this general admission event which placed us about 10 feet from the stage. For setlist see right.
This was the first time I've had the opportunity to see The Strawbs live, so I don't have much to compare it to, but the band seemed virtually note-perfect during the show. The sound, from my perspective, was excellent except when DL briefly lost his guitar at the end of "Oh How She Changed". DC forget the words to the second verse of "Hero And Heroine" and required prompting from Chas which was rather amusing. DC's stories captivated the audience between songs and he delighted the partisan crowd by donning a Chicago White Sox tee shirt for the second set.
Afterwards, the band retired to the bar where they conversed and signed for all interested parties. Very nice fellows. In summary, the show was amazing, the band was very warmly received and it was a personally wonderful experience. Many times our expectations of things turn out to be disappointing. That was certainly not the case here. I've been attending rock shows for 30 years and this was easily the most fun I've had at any single show. Much thanks to our friend, Kate, who rushed some Witchwood badges to me last week. The badge caught DC's eye as walked past at the end of the show. He later asked where I got the pin.
Query to our English friends: was Henry VIII's body really ravaged by dogs on Eel Pie Island ?
THE ARK, ANN ARBOR, MI, SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER 2005
The Strawbs played an energetic set this evening at the Ark in Ann Arbor. Opening with a stirring rendition of "Benedictus", the band quickly won the audience over with their intricate arrangements, and near perfect vocal harmonies. A highlight of the show,was a storming rendition of "Hero And Heroine", which featured some brilliant lead guitar work from Dave Lambert. Dave Cousins was in fine voice, throughout the evening, especially on a powerful version of "New World".
The audience [which appeared to be slightly larger than on the band's previous visit to the Ark] seemed to love every minute of the 1 hour 20 minute show. Many audience members [myself included] stayed after the show, to chat with the band members,and to receive a "treasured"autograph or two. My only disappointment was that the band had completely sold out all of their CDs and tour merchandise on earlier tour dates. All things considered, it was a magical evening !
