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Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ - Fri 6 Oct 2006

NJ Proghouse, Metuchen, NJ - Sat 7 Oct 2006

University Cafe, Stony Brook, NY (1.00pm) - Sun 8 Oct 2006

UNIVERSITY CAFE, STONY BROOK, 8 OCT 2006

A GREAT TIME HAD BY ALL - Comments from Jill Morrison

I plan to do a proper review on the University Cafe last Sunday afternoon - but, I've been quite busy! For now I can say, the venue was filled with a majority of unfamiliar faces to me (save for a few I knew), but, attentive Strawbs fans, nonetheless. It was a wonderful day and great weather and the Daves, Chas and Tour Manager Neil all looking quite happy, fresh and relaxed. The Acoustic Strawbs in fine form performed in front of a regal red velvet draped sound two sets - setlist (hopefully in correct order ). John Ford and son were there and a great time had by all!

GRAVITY LOUNGE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, 11 OCT 2006

AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT TO THE EARS - Review from Dave

It was a fairly small crowd of about 35-40 people but they were loud and appreciative of the artists.

The opening singer was Debbie Hunter. She appeared solo this year to entertain everyone. Last year she and her band started the show. She has a 'Maddy Prior' type of voice that really set the stage for the Strawbs. She sang 8 songs, but her best was the last; one she wrote as a birthday present for her husband called "Another Song". I wish she would record that. It would be worth buying.

I am always curious what beers Neil sets up on the stage for the gentlemen prior to the concert. This show it was Sierra Nevada beer (a little trivia) although I think Chas also had Becks.

It was a wonderful concert! They are an absolute delight to the ears. On "Ghosts", my brother-in-law sat there with his mouth open when Dave Lambert cut loose! After the show they hung around to relax and talk to their fans. I have been to other small venue concerts but rarely do the artists spend as much time after the show with those who attended. It is something that I have always appreciated about them.

This is the third year in a row, that I managed to finagle a business trip up to Richmond, VA in order to go to the Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville, VA to hear the Strawbs. As usual, it was a trip well worth it.

The first year I came to Charlottesville, my daughter (who lives in Richmond) came with me. She had heard my Strawbs CDs and came along to see them in person. Last year, my daughter and sister-in-law came with me to the concert. This year my sister-in-law brought her husband, and my daughter brought her fiance. I suspect, by next year, my brother and sister-in-law's three children will be in attendance...lol.

I will be going to Baldwin's Station on the 19th to see them again. I mentioned that to Dave Cousins and he asked me if I had ever been there. I said no, and he started to laugh. He told Chas I was going to Baldwin's Station and he laughed as well. Apparently, the soundman there used to be one of the soundmen for Elvis in the 50's which makes him one of the oldest around. Dave Cousins told me it will be an interesting concert. I cannot wait.

I asked Dave Cousins if they would ever play "Part of the Union" over here and he said that it did not have any relevence over here and probably not. I suspect I will have to drop in on one of their small venue concerts in England one day in order to hear it....lol.

One day.....soon (I hope).

SELLERSVILLE THEATER, SELLERSVILLE, 13 OCT 2006

A MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE - Review from Amanda Baughn

One of the first things I noticed upon entering the theater in Sellersville was that there were no WITCHWOODERS or "regulars," as Judi says, other than myself in attendence. It was evident that it was either the first time, for many of them, seeing the guys LIVE or they hadn't seen Strawbs in quite some time. However, almost everyone there was a dedicated fan. To say they were happy to see the guys was an understatement. The audience was enthusiastic throughtout the duration of the show, and they made sure to verbalize it! Following Dave C's announcement, between songs, of an electric tour next year, I overheard a man behind me say, "I made the mistake of missing out on that the first time the guys came around in 2004.. NO WAY am I gonna miss that again!"

There was a positive reaction to the set list and shouts of joy and sighs of awe could be heard at the start of "Ghosts," "Autumn," and "Hero and Heroine." A few of the songs presented in the set list surprised the audience. It seemed to me that the majority had never before heard "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" or "The Battle." It was clear though that they were fully enjoyed.

During intermission and following the show there was a line at the CD table. One could barely see Neil's head amongst the crowd. They had him surrounded! Dave C, Dave L, and Chas had a similar experience while entering the lobby. Fans were lined up to greet them, take pictures, and have albums and other memorabilia signed. It's wonderful to see this, it makes me realize how deeply their music not only touches my life, but the lives of others as well.

BODLES OPERA HOUSE, CHESTER, 14 OCT 2006

HEY IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME ... - Review from Bob Polchinski

It's been about a year since the Strawbs last toured the U.S., this seemed a long time, as we had become accustomed to semi-annual visits. It was an enthusiastic audience at a nearly packed Bodles Opera House. Bodles is not actually an opera house, but rather a pub-like venue in a building that looked like it once served as a horse barn. There were a few Witchwooders in the audience, most notably Ken smartly attired in a Burning for You t-shirt.

I won't comment too much about the majority of the set, the long-time numbers were delivered with the usual skilled craftsmanship. All were in good voice, and in fact Dave Lambert, sounded stronger this time around. I noticed a subtle change in the banjo part on "Cold Steel", with Cousins adding more embellishment to the banjo line.

"The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" was a nice addition to the set. The arrangement was different from that found on the first album with more of a contemporary sound . Lambert handled the Hooper parts on the vocals and the solo intro by Dave L was quite nice.

"Two Weeks Last Summer" was kept true to the Cousins solo album arrangement, except that all three played counterpoint to the main guitar line in almost 3-part invention style.

"The Battle" was a much more powerful arrangement than the original with Lambert adding harmony on lines of the song, and Chas adding punctuation with the acoustic bass. Though I usually find this song clever, but a bit long. I found this arrangement quite engaging.

Opening act was Deni Bonet, a talented violinist/singer-songwriter who sings humor injected pop folk songs. I was very impressed with her violin playing which at times was bluesy, jazzy, and Celtic.

TIN ANGEL, PHILADELPHIA (2 SHOWS), 15 OCT 2006

WHAT A GREAT SHOW! - Review from Michael Perez

Cathi and I went to see the early show at Tin Angel of the Acoustic Strawbs. What a great show! These guys can still do it and the electric band, according to Dave Cousins, will be on tour here in the USA again next year. It was my fourth time to see various incarnations of the band. First was the late 70s, not a classic line-up. The second was a legendary show people who were there still talk about at the Ambler Caberet (not the Chesnut as is listed in the official gigography) in 1984 with Hudson, Ford and Tony Hooper. They played two sets and those in attendance could stay for both. Cousins had a few pints that night before, during and after and was in rare loose form. The third time was the wonderful show they did at NEARfest. Some wrote on various boards that they didn't think they belonged there, as people do about almost anybody that doesn't fit into any particular individual's personal definition of prog or art rock. Call it folk prog, mellotron folk, whatever - these guys definitely deserve the prog creds they have been granted by us "big umbrella" proggers.

Last night Mssrs. Cousins, Lambert and Cronk were in great form. They started with "Lay Down", one of my all-time fave songs. They also did "Midnight Sun", "Hero and Heroine", "Autumn" (of course, complete with Cousins infamous intro, now fitting here in PA, in fact there was a lot of storytelling between songs), "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "Oh! How She Changed", Lambert's recent "Cold Steel" (from Deja Fou), "Ghosts" and many others. We had a great time and recommend you see them if you haven't already.

BALDWIN'S STATION, SYKESVILLE, 19 OCT 2006

ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT WITH THE STRAWBS - Review from Dave

It was another wonderful performance by the Strawbs last night at Baldwin's Station. The Strawbs have come here for the last three years but it was the first time I saw them here. It was a real treat!

Baldwin's Station used to be a train terminal and is right by the train tracks. So it is logical that we might hear trains going by during the evening, and we did - in the middle of "Tears And Pavan" and right after "Midnight Sun" and Ghosts. It is also a restaurant and bar. I really enjoyed the food as well so that was an additional bonus for me.

The stage is really small and but they managed to move around carefully it didn't seem to impact their performance.

I saw the Strawbs in Charlottesville last week and it was a very special treat for me to be able to see them again this week. I came to the concert with a friend (a client of mine who has been a huge fan of the Strawbs for many years). I was due to come up to do some work at his site, and when he found out the Strawbs were going to be at Baldwin Station, we coordinated the trip so we could both go. A couple of his friends also joined us (also huge Strawbs fans). This was going to be a great evening.

When I was in Charlottesville last week, I mentioned to Dave Cousins that I was going to see them again in Baldwin Station. He asked me if I had ever been there before. I said no, and he told me it was going to be an interesting experience for me.... Apparently the soundman at Baldwin Station (Tim) used to be a soundman for Elvis many years ago, so he might be one of the oldest soundmen around.

At our table were a husband and wife that had seen the Strawbs together over 30 years ago, and this was their first concert of theirs since. I think they liked it a lot because at break, he came back to the table with about 6 CDs....lol.

One other really great experience. I have seen them 6 times in the last three years in the Virginia and Maryland venues. I was sitting at the table during dinner when I noticed a man and a woman that looked really familiar. I don't forget faces, but I cannot remember a name to save my life. Finally, at the break between sets, I walked over to the husband, explained who I was and asked him if he and his wife had ever gone to see the Strawbs in Charlottesville or at the Jammin Java in Vienna, VA. He said they had been (which is where I probably saw him), but that a couple of years ago, he wasn't able to make it and his wife and daughter went by themselves. I realized that they had sat at my table in Vienna. I came over to the table and introduced myself and his wife recognized me. Their daughter had never seen the Strawbs before that concert but had grown up listening to her father's Strawbs collection, so she went with her mom. They had a great time. It was a real pleasure to meet them again.

I have read many posts about other Strawbs' fans getting together at their gigs. I can really appreciate the camaraderie that surfaces at these concerts.

At any rate, enough carrying on. It was another great night with the Strawbs.

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