Updated: 28 May 2009
Part 2 - Second leg - Frome (23 May) to Dartford (31 May)
SWEEPS FESTIVAL, ROCHESTER, SUNDAY 3 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
"A recruiting sergeant rode through the streets of Rochester" goes the old traditional song on a Strawhead album I have from the 70s, set more or less to the tune of "Waltzing Maltilda". Well any such would have had no difficulty in dragging off a few of the fairly blotto twenty-somethings or younger spilling out of the pubs into the streets of the town - all down to celebrate the Sweeps Festival with gallons of lager, cider and real ale. Great castle, absolutely stunning cathedral, the streets were closed off to traffic allowing a promenade (dodging through the larger groups) up and down the picturesque high street - some fantastic old buildings, and some great second hand bookshops - I'll be back when it's all a bit quieter!
Picked up my tickets from the Corn Exchange - nearly frustrated by some Council moron who denied all knowledge of everything - "we don't do tickets here". Fortunately this prat was overheard by one of the nice ladies in the office, who asked my surname and came out immediately with my tickets. "Apparently you do do tickets" I said as I waved them at him, highly tempted to say more. If anyone from Rochester involved with the gig reads this - please point out to the prat in question exactly what he is.
Got to the castle gardens just as it was closing the gardens in preparation for tonight's gig - had bumped into Ian Cutler on our way round the town, but wasn't in time to hear him play with Hot Rats earlier in the afternoon. A queue to get in had already started - Stefan & Mimi from the West Coast of the US in pole position, with a few other of the other usual suspects hovering round. Afteer wandering down the hill to pick up a pint from the heaving pur at the bottom of the hill, spent a sociable hour or so chatting, enlivened by various traffic coming in and out of the narrow gate, before being let into thegrounds and making a bee-line for the marquee to grab front and second row seats with good views.
Can't say I took to the support act, Lupen Crook - a 20-ish year old (I think) with thrashing twelve string guitar, attitude and more four letter words than even Roy Hill can manage in this act, but without the stage presence or the quality of songwriting to get away with it. I warmed to him a bit during the two quieter numbers but, overall, not for me. The 14 year old lad Luke Jackson who opened for Brian and Cathryn in Maidstome the other week had him beaten hands down. See Sue Holton's review at Sue Holton's site and Luke Jackson's MySpace.
To be fair, others (including DC) disagree with me - "interesting" "unusual" and "obviously has talent" were various comments. Check out Lupen Crook's MySpace and make your own mind up:.
After an interval spent chatting with various folks and introducing Americans to each other (hi Allan), Strawbs took to the stage opened up with "Lay Down" - the massed wall of sound from the three vocalists making for a great start. Should add that Cousins and Lambert were both in excellent voice throughout, and Chas's harmony vocals very audible, making for stunning full-on harmony sections. One of the "new" numbers from the Canadian tour, "Sheep" came next, allowing DC a chance to deliver highly emotionally charged vocals against a great backdrop of sound; very dynamic, great interplay with Oliver - I'm looking forward to hearing that more over the coming weeks.
"New World" followed, with some excellent mellotron and organ sounds from Oliver, who was looking fairly serious throughout - when I spoke to him later, he commented that it had been a while since they had played in Canada so he was concentrating very hard on what came next and which keyboard it came out of. Oliver led into the next song "The Hangman And The Papist" which went down very well, before Dave Lambert took the pace down with his "The Winter And The Summer", during which his guitar went through some sort of pedal to add a warbly effect.
"The River/Down By The Sea" back deservedly in the set whilst "Ghosts" takes a rest, was very very good indeed, with Lambert thrashing out the chords during his mid-section vocal, and a great solo over the top of the riff. I love the bit where the bass takes us out of the middle bit and into the third section "Last night I lay in bed"; Chas's bass playing was as ever impeccable throughout, as was Rod Coombes' drumming and percussion work (I don't think he plays a single drum during "The River").
An outing for "The Broken Hearted Bride" was very much in keeping with this powerful set, followed by DC switching to 6-string for "Out In The Cold/Round And Round" - the interplay between Oliver on synth and Lambert on guitar in the intro of "Round And Round" and Chas's bass were especially good, as was the opening sequence to "Autumn" which followed. A great rendition, buiding to the power chord finish, with DL flailing at the sky. Last in the main set was "Big H" as DC referred to "Hero And Heroine", which cooked along nicely.
But, I have to say, the encore is what stood out for me, and what I was really looking forward to see live - "Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth". DC put down his guitar, and Lambert set up that repetitive riff to start with (presumably originally played by DC on his Danelectro on the Antiques album), with the rest of the band joining in. DC delivers his first verse with expressive gestures in a sneering, tone reeking of distate and Chas and DL come in for the mediaeval/plainsong "Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth" refrain; excellent ! But the showpiece is of course, Oliver Wakeman's fantastic solo, echoing but not copying his father's original. Starting out on organ, whilst the rest of the band he moved from keyboard to keyboard with sweeping movements, at one point threatening to sweep one keyboard entirely away. The synth got a good workout, too. DC stands towards the back, obviously pleased with his "new boy". It really is a tour de force and well worth experiencing. Back in comes DC for the third verse and final chorus, then the song moves to a dramatic close. Stunning. For me, this song was the high spot of the whole show - the Greener grin very much in evidence throughout.
The new Strawbs line-up with Oliver on board is an emphatically powerful beast, capabable of presenting the songs with a real belt to them. If I had one wish, I'd have turned down the keyboards just a tad (piano especially), left Lambert's guitar where it was (that effect he's using seems to cut the overall volume a bit), and brought the vocals, especially DC, up a bit - they tended to get a bit lost when the band were playing full tilt (as on "Broken Hearted Bride" and "Dream"). But overall, really good sound and the whole thing knocked you back on your feet - if anyone at that show ever thought Electric Strawbs were a folk band, they'd have left with a neww perspective.
A fantastic start to the tour, with another date following at the Cromer Festival before the tour proper starts on 15th May.
Roch-chester, Oh Roch-chester, well OK not quite Canada where this line-up first surfaced in public, but tonight it was the UK for the first time.
The Town itself was in the midst of it's weekend /week? Folk Festival and the high street was full to the brim with Chavs in different states of inebriation and unlikely at that time to know the difference between an ebow or their elbow. However, despite that, it didn't take us long to forget all that, after all we were there to take in our own particular pleasure, the first date of the UK tour.
I did wonder if I would get to see the gig having been sent to gather chips down that rather packed high street but fortunately there were no incidents unlike another member of our party who when gathering drinks got "chatted up" by one of the drunken throng, with the immortal line "you smell rather nice" probably not realising that the smell was probably the lager and wine he had managed to spill from her glasses after jogging the arm that was carrying them!!
I had arrived in the town mid afternoon and just in time to catch the Hot Rats with Ian Cutler and their troop of exotic dancers perform their stuff, including the "Orange Blossom special". During which the dancers "excelled" with their interpretation. That tune gets an outing of course with the Blue Angel Orchestra.
Met up with Jin Aka "Fatty Fudge" who has been championing the Strawberry Fools on the monthly Stackridge podcast.
And so to the gig. Nothing like queuing for an hour to raise anticipation for the first gig of the tour, especially when joined and chatting with Witchwooders from far and wide. Indeed, most who had been at Hampton Court the previous night for the Acoustics and the 6 Wives extravaganza, each of which had some how found their way to Rochester using all sorts of modes of transport.
We were not to be disappointed. You can sprinkle superlatives around like gay abandon, brilliant, exceptional, superb, this was to turn into one of those never to be forgotten weekends. OK Strawbs Rochester was a shortened set, but the power and majesty of the performance swept all before as the band rocked away with some classics.
Sat three rows back, the sound was booming and loud, dovetailing nicely with the pre gig anticipation. If this was an example of the tour to come it is going to be another exceptional one.
It felt so perfect and Oliver was just err...fantastic and a real model of concentration as he observed the playing and signals from the others. All on stage smiling at each other from time to time as if they were enjoying this, as much as we were.
Oliver was switching freely between the different keyboards and creating the full and lush sound of early Strawbs and equally moments of intricate piano.
The show was yet another lift on my perception of the weekend and the encore of "Where is the Dream of Your Youth" with Oliver's long solo brought memories of the past flowing back and another great re-introduction.
The rest of the guys played and sang like we know they can and when they hit the mark like this, the best bits of last 40 years come flooding back. Do get out and see this tour it's bound to leave its own triumphant and special mark in Strawbs history.
Photo by Alison Brown - more pictures from Ali
FOLK ON THE PIER, CROMER, FRIDAY 8 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
THE BOOMBOOM CLUB, SUTTON, FRIDAY 15 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
The official opening gig (there had been pre-tasters at Rochester and Cromer) of the Electric Strawbs UK May tour kicked off at the 'Boom Boom' club in Sutton, S.W. London last night. The Boom Boom club operates from the large social club, which is part of the complex of modest buildings owned by Sutton Football Club. It is clearly a well run club and is well supported by its regulars who clearly like their ale and their music. With the band not on till 9:30pm'ish and a build up of 200 to 250 souls who'd all had a drink or three there was already an excellent/expectant atmosphere present before DC and the boys walked onto stage, helped by an impromptu 'happy birthday' chorus lustily sung by the Witchwooders at the front birthday boy Rod Coombes gave a broad smile. He personally was in fantastic form all night and whatever dispute there might be about the overall sound his drumming and cymbal work was explosive and he finished the night with a beaming smile as well, as he crashed down exquisitely for the last time to close the set some 90 minutes later.
Although traditionally the Strawbs have always defied pigeon-holing - with this combo and their current shortish but block-busting single set, this ain't no 'folk-rock' folks , this is ball-breaking prog rock at its best. I personally didn't think the sound was mixed as well or came across as well thanks to the dubious acoustics of an incredibly low ceiling - as at Rochester a fortnight earlier ( but as you can see from other reports this, as usual, is in some dispute) but what was not in dispute was the sheer awesome/wall of sound/power prog endings that concluded the likes of "New World", "Down By The Sea" , "Autumn", "Round And Round" and "Hero And Heroine" the audience were seemingly blown off their feet, and showed their appreciation openly it was a proud night to be a Strawbs fan!
"Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth" the current encore is developing into an absolute classic track of what the Strawbs are all about on stage .the pithy, plaintive, emotive verses from DC, the three voice spiritual chorus line, the attacking guitar riff from DL, the pulsating rhythm from CC and RC , and then a mercurial piece of keyboard wizardry from OW. The keyboard section from Oliver obviously invites comparisons with his Dad, which perhaps is a bit unfair but inevitable. For my part I think Oliver gives a fantastic piece of key-board virtuosity which is well-suited to being live on stage whereas Rick's version showed a bit more clinical control to the melody much more suited to a vinyl version. There you go a score draw!
"Where Is This Dream Of My Youth ?" well forty years on they are still on stage and kicking serious ass big-time! Make sure you go, to remind yourself what you should be capable of doing in your sixties and beyond!
Photo by Alison Brown - more pictures from Ali
Splendid night at the Boom Boom Club in Sutton - a large social club attached to the local football club. Low ceiling made for interesting acoustics, the sound was much better up near the front than at the back (unusual), but the place was just packed out, and had a great atmosphere.
A great show, lots of power and presence, the Strawbs really let rip, in a set that showcases Oliver Wakeman's considerable talent, with the keyboards well up in the mix. Highlights for me, difficult to pick out because the whole thing was pretty marvellous - "New World" benefits from the multiple keyboards, "Sheep" (which has moved to song 3 after "New World") is just superb, and "Down By The Sea" is growing to be one of my favourites in the new set (ironic given that a while ago I lobbied for it to be dropped).
Whilst Dave plays the first half (or set if they play two sets) on 12-string, he's now switching to 6 string for much of the latter, which I think works a lot better for the intricate fingerpicking on the middle section of "Autumn" and "Out In The Cold".
Once again though, the star piece is "Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth", which continues to develop. Stunning tour de force from all concerned.
HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER, SATURDAY 16 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
Tell Me What You See In Me
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Drum Solo
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
The splendid surroundings of Huntingdon Hall in Worcester were the backdrop for the second the gigs on this tour - formerly the Countess of Huntingdon Church apparently - pews, a gallery supported on slender pillars - now incorporated tastefully into the Crowngate redevelopment of the central Worcester shopping area. At the back, a huge pipe organ (sadly not available for use, or I think Oliver would have been all over it) and a pulpit, in front of which the band were set up on a slightly raised podium. A fantastic backdrop for the choice of songs currently in the set, and a sound to die for.
I'd love to show you a picture of it, but, it's one of those venues where they don't allow photography - the reason given this time health and safety - too dangerous to have flashing lights going off in the audience. For goodness sake people, get real!
Anyway, Paul did a masterful job on the sound, aided and abetted by the naturally good acoustics of ecclesiastical buildings (they knew what they were doing back then). A two set show - adding in at the front of set two, the re-interpretation of "Tell Me What You See In Me", with some interesting vocal call and response dynamics going on. And, in front of "Hero And Heroine" Rod had his now-famous drum solo - enthralling to watch, finished off with a little smile from Coombes and the raised drumsticks which signal the onset of "Big H".
The sound this band creates is big and powerful - someone commented to me that the box in which they were sitting was vibrating to the beat - appropriate given the lyrics of "Where Is This Dream", which continues to grow - Oliver is flexing his muscles, great playing from everyone.
Everyone was very pleased after this one as, after a while in the bar waiting fir the kit to be broken down, we all repaired to a great pub nearby - The Plough - friendly landlord and staff, and great beer, staying open very late too.
I'd never been to Worcester before and fancied having a look round - I got my wish, and so did Pete Rand, when he gallantly waited for me to withdraw some cash from a machine. We ended up with our own un-guided evening tour of Worcester, and unfortunately the rest of our throng were in danger of losing consciousness from hunger by the time we found the agreed restaurant (very nice, but I can't remember the name). Luckily a monsoon had come and gone by the time we had to leave for the venue. I'd never visited the Huntingdon Hall before, and it has to be one of the most fascinating places I've seen Strawbs play.
From the front row of the Methodist chapel's raised tier, about half way back, the view of the stage was excellent and I don't think I've ever been able to watch one of Rod's spectacular drum solos so well - it was possible to see what his hands were doing from start to finish, making it ever more awe-inspiring. The sound was almost impossibly good, with astonishing clarity and balance. Chas added thumping or gentle bass in all the right places, as ever, and the band was ablaze, with Dave Cousins' vocals sounding staggeringly compelling. If I was bound and gagged and forced to moan about something it would be that I'd personally like to hear Dave Lambert's guitar turned up a tad, to give a slightly more equal balance between the guitar and keyboards. When Dave Cousins introduced "The Winter and The Summer" he generously referred to it as "...probably the most beautiful song Strawbs have ever recorded.." or something along those lines. It really is great to see that song back in the set this time round. The whole band rocked superbly, and it was a pleasure to watch the interaction between Oliver Wakeman and Dave L., both grinning broadly at each other for much of the time. Dick was approached in the interval by a woman who thought he looked like someone "famous", possibly John Peel(RIP), and it was nice to catch up with Dan again along with all the rest of the crew. A terrific night, which ended with post-pub (can't remember the name of that either!) munchies at around 3.30 a.m. - surprisingly the whole town still seemed to be wide awake. Maybe Worcester has a lot of insomniacs or something.
Worthing next day was rather a strange one - a fairly dingy outdated 60s or 70s Butlins-style ballroom, complete with mirror ball and ruched purple fabric covering the ceiling. An illuminated Christmas tree had presumably been placed on a table to camouflage the entrance to the toilets. Very different from the previous two evenings which had been packed out - unfortunately because of the change of venue and lack of advertising the audience was a lot smaller. Neil's Sue had kindly bagged us a prime table in the centre of the hall, towards the back - we began surreptitiously shuffling it forward inch by inch with the intention of ending up onstage by the encore, until Nigel pointed out that there was probably a chandelier on the ceiling beneath us wobbling furiously every time we moved, so we gave up on that idea.
There had been a few concerned mutterings among the band about how good the sound quality was going to be too, given the PA they had to work with. No-one need to have worried on that score however, the sound was once again excellent (what a master of his craft Paul must be!). I remember thinking to myself that "The River/Down By The Sea" was every bit as good as the previous night, which had scored off the top of the scale in my book. A brief chat with the band and then most of us legged it fairly quickly after the gig, dropping Ali off at her hotel en route. I had the school run followed by a day at the office looming (a rest at last!!!), while Dick, who had kindly offered me the hospitality suite at The Greener Towers yet again, decided to forgo sleep until his early morning flight to Noo Yoik. Time to recharge the pacemakers as someone once mentioned.
THE EMPRESS SUITE, WORTHING, SUNDAY 17 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
After a shaky start to the day (rather self-inflicted) we set out in various cars on the lengthy journey from Worcester to Worthing. A pleasant deviation for me, dropping in to surprise old friends en route, meant that I got to Worthing by about 6.30, meeting up with the others in Sofa, a rather good bar/cafe opposite the pier and the Empress Suite, the new venue for tonight's show after the gig was switched from the Half Brick pub (we passed this unprepossessing building on our way out of town as we left later on, and on balance I think the substitution may have been in our favour in some respects).
Looking into the room, it was rather as I expected - a function room, suited for weddings and parties, with flouncy purple drapes covering the ceiling and a glitter ball hanging from the ceiling. A small stage with very low lighting - Rod waved a few times, his disembodied hand rising out of the gloom. However, there be gremlins - by the time we got in at 8.00 or so, the sound check hadn't happened, the PA had had to be rather cobbled together, and tempers were ready to flare. Notwithstanding all of this the band played a blinding one set performance, and Paul managed to secure a marvellous sound out of the room, which tuned out to have better acoustics than feared.
A single set meant the drum solo and "Tell Me" were dropped, but the remaining numbers were played with gusto and verve. "Sheep" once again was a standout, as was "Dream" but, as everything was just so good despite slightly adverse conditions, it's hard to pick out standout tracks.
Jealous that I'll miss the next few shows - I get back from the States in time (just) for the last two shows of the tour - if I'd not been going away, I think I'd have tried to emulate Ali, who's travelling to see all bar one. No matter who or what has gone before, this is a line-up of the Strawbs which will live on as a favourite for many, and you don't get quality like this too often, so see them while you can .....
Photo by Alison Brown - more pictures from Ali
PLINSTON HALL, LETCHWORTH, TUESDAY 19 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
It's been a long, long time since I last saw Strawbs. Excluding the Cambridge Folk Festival gig the last concert occasion was the 'Ghosts' tour.
Why did I leave it so long? I won't dwell on that as it will only depress me having just watched a truly excellent show by the band.
Yes there were a couple of stop/starts at the beginning (anyone seen the roadie?) but they were quickly overcome and a truly disciplined show was served up.
The vocal delivery from Dave Cousins was incredible throughout. From the manic passion of "Sheep" to the subtle tenderness of "Out In The Cold" he still after all these years feels with the mood of the song and holds every note.
Dave Lambert was in excellent form and just about for me stole the show. A classic guitar man from a bygone era that can still turn it on with his presence and style and what a great vocalist. "Autumn" was as emotionally charged as it was when I first heard it all those years ago.
"Hero and Heroine" is as always a fine and fitting finale; sounding as fresh and powerful as ever.
Oliver Wakeman's performance on the free flowing encore of "Where is this Dream of Your Youth" was up there with his dad's highlights. Quite spooky actually just how much he looks like Rick.
The set was a fine mix of pure nostalgia and theatre; that left me quite numb with anticipation of my next opportunity to see the band. When renditions of "Shine On Silver Sun" and "Promised Land" will again surface.
The most perfect evening. Plinston packed. On a Tuesday night! Seventies folk rock gods, Strawbs, with their classic Hero And Heroine line-up still intact, some thirty five years on, John Hawken replaced by the debonair Oliver Wakeman.
A set list to die for. Kicked off in some style by chart hit "Lay Down". The highlights are many. The most glorious "Down By The Sea" featuring some spellbinding Lambert Les Paul riff magic. Wow! This band rock. Frontman Cousins' perpetual introductions and recollections, a sheer delight. Engaging, enlightening, entertaining. Wakeman takes the spotlight on the incomparable "Round And Round". His extended solo utilises just about every single key on his battery of keyboards. The set ends strongly with four essential selections from "Hero And Heroine". This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the release of the band's first album. Aptly, the encore song is taken from it, the timeless "Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth". Bravo! With thanks to Chas Cronk [bass], Rod Coombes [drums], Oliver Wakeman [keyboards], Dave Lambert [lead guitar] and Dave Cousins [guitar].
Republished with permission from Plinston Plus website. See some pics from Alan at Plinston Plus
ROBIN 2, BILSTON, WEDNESDAY 20 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
First there was Sutton and then Worcester followed swiftly by Worthing all of which were outstanding and superb for differing reasons, but tonight, oh tonight, it was Bilston which has become somewhat of a "Midlands Mecca" for Strawbs and their fans.
One of our all time favourite places to play said DC and from my point of view one of the best venues to go to in the country.
Although shorn of a few of the usual companions due to their own commitments, a good bunch of friends still gathered. Adie ....now, talking of shorn, wait to you see his new cropped hairstyle... you'll need a second look to recognise his metamorphosis, particularly as I had seen him on Saturday in full regalia. Bob and Lou, Roy, Sandy, Ali of course, Paul (Les C's pal & his friend - was it Malcolm?) , Dave and Paul and others too numerous to mention.
Now if Sutton had been loud and Worcester exquisite tonight brought a new meaning to the word loud, no more dreaming of your youth, this was a full return to a hard rock club stuff, with DC reaching the threshold of ear piercing pain at times, as he hit the high notes. This was great stuff absolutely superb and the whole band played their part - as Chas said afterwards "he felt caught in the centre of a sonic blast" as the interplay between Dave L and Oliver reached what seemed to be new heights and crescendo, driven along by Rod's outstanding contribution.
It's the stuff you dream of and when it all comes together, the playing, the sound and the venue, you just want more and more.
For those going to Glasgow tonight, you might just need to take lifejackets, the power the band are producing, may just blast that static ferry adrift from it's moorings and you'll sail away down the Clyde and out to sea.
PS Before I forget a brief mention of Jake Flowers, probably the best and most entertaining support act we have seen on the tour so far.
Photo by Alison Brown - more pictures from Ali
THE FERRY, GLASGOW, THURSDAY 21 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
Tell Me What You See In Me
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Drum Solo
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
I must now be into double figures for Strawbs gigs in Glasgow and can honestly say the last 2 have been my favourites. This line up with Hawken or Wakeman is for me THE Strawbs line up.
From the huge back catalogue available the set's material taken is with only 1 exception taken from pre 1974 and nothing from the post Ghosts (still a favourite of mine) period is included apart from the title track from The Broken Hearted Bride. The set opened with "Lay Down" and from the first chord of Dave Lambert's guitar through to the keyboard wizardry of Oliver Wakeman on "Dream" the Glasgow crowd although rather on the small side enjoyed the performance. Isn't it great to see these guys still playing and I do believe Chas Cronk's bass playing and backing vocals are the best I've heard them, or is it just that the sound mix is better?
Dave Cousins introduced "The Hangman and Papist", which got it's usual rousing reception, by recalling Top of the Pops Pans People trying to dance it, and described "The Winter and the Summer" as one of the bands loveliest songs and after "Down by the Sea" came a short break. Dave you may need to reset the pacemaker but we need the interval also as we do not seem to be able to last a full set without a comfort break!
The 2nd part included 4 tracks from the Hero and Heroine album before the encore of "Where Is this dream Of Your Youth" with Oliver Wakeman showcased.
Stand outs for me were "Autumn" and "Tell Me" with the only down side for me personally being the drum solo (but then I really just don't enjoy any drum solo) although most in the audience don't share my view.
Can I get my ticket for next year now please?
Photo by William Wilson - more pictures from William
It was a terrific show, and I was pleased to see a good turn out this year, compared to last. At the end Dave Cousins joked that they'd return in '25 years time,' but on the response they got it should be a lot sooner!
It was a blistering, gritty, rockier concert, and it as good to hear songs from their earlier albums that I'd not heard live before.
Oliver Wakeman on the keyboards was a rare treat. He performed a cracking solo in the encore that would have his Dad giving up in disgust. Having Wakeman Minor in the team also meant that songs from the Witchwood album, such as "Hangman" and "Sheep" could be heard again in they way nature intended.
At the end I left with that blissful after-gig buzz resonating in my head - or should that be 'ringing down the ears'?
It was a really enjoyable show - well worth the five-hour jouney to get there, and particularly good to see Oliver Wakeman with the band (only heard him before on the album "Jabberwocky"). What a brilliant keyboard solo! Also very good to hear the reworking of "Tell me...." as I managed to get a copy of the vinyl album featuring Sandy Denny only recently which was a real find!
THE FLOWER POT, DERBY, FRIDAY 22 MAY 2009
Lay Down
Sheep
New World
Hangman and the Papist
The Winter and The Summer
The River/ Down by the Sea
The Broken Hearted Bride
Out in the Cold/ Round and Round
Autumn
Hero and Heroine
Where is this Dream of Your Youth
Fantastic gig last night at a rather unusual venue, The Flowerpot in Derby.
Great to see a host of the usual faces, and particularly great to share in the communal amazement at Oliver Wakeman's brilliance, and particularly the amazing performance of "Where is this Dream of Your Youth" as the encore. I almost didn't go to the gig as have been suffering from a particularly bad cold, but am glad I did, despite feeling very rough the day after...
Setlist was as other nights, and it's a good selection. I can see why "Sheep" is in there, but have never been that keen on it - however it was very enjoyable.
Three main highlights for me - "The Winter and the Summer" which was stunning; "Autumn" which was possibly the best yet that I've heard, and the encore of "Where is this Dream" which was just mind-blowing with its power, and its showcasing of Oliver.
The sound was a bit patchy in the first half and I think this was down to the tiny stage and the slightly weird layout - bit of shrieking from DCs microphone. The quieter numbers were obviously easier to mix. We were standing near the PA though and my ears were ringing afterwards.
I was a little disappointed that DC's 12 string was playing up as would have like to have heard it. For me, the definitive Electric Strawbs sound has to feature 12 string - e.g. "New World".
Another great gig!!
Photo by Alison Brown - more pictures from Ali
Perhaps "The Oven", Derby would have been more accurate; it was 'hot' in every sense. The place was packed and the heat steadily increased; I don't know how the band managed to perform with such energy and passion.
They did, however, and apart from a few reservations regarding the sound quality during the early songs, this was a power-packed set. Standing right next to the PA was probably not a good idea, particularly for the opening of "Sheep" as my ears were still ringing the next day. It was a pleasure though to hear this live for the first time. All were in great voice - DC's last note of 'Don't be sick' seemed to last forever.
A great night with 'The River/Down by..' for me, the highlight, although 'Autumn' was one of the best I'd heard.
Many thanks to Ralph and Ali for the photos of me and Chas and DL - that made the night extra-special.
Agree with Ralph, OW adds something extra to the band (I bouught one of his CDs on the strength of it and it's great.) Can't wait for new Strawbs album.
Not a great venue as the heat was becoming almost undearable, crowd and band seemed to be suffering particularly Rod (maybe that's why drum solo was dropped), in fact all except "Mr Cool" Lambert who kept his jacket on throughout!
This was Strawbs at their rockiest (how I like to hear them) and certainly not letting age slow them down, great setlist, great performance.
I'd always liked the Flowerpot when I'd seen Lindisfarne and the Acoustics but I'm not convinced it's the right venue for the Electrics. They did their best - OW definitely adds another layer to the sound and DL's guitar was on top form.
We arrived with Andy Slack and met Ali and Ralph but separated when Andy chose a pint of lager even though there were around 16 real ales and stouts from local micro breweries. Andy et al went to the front, we went and sat down on the bench at the rear to protect our ailing backs - turned out to our advantage as we could stand on the bench and see over everyone.
Having been forewarned about the volume I employed the professional DJ ear-protectors and came away at the end with no ear problems at all unlike the Boardwalk last year !
It was hot and cramped on stage - can't believe they got the six piece on it a few years ago. Nevertheless, is 85 minutes long enough these days when Dylan/Cohen are knocking out 120-180 minutes .... I think I'd also have a rethink on "Broken Hearted Bride" as the lyrics are inaudible until the chorus. I wasn't that blown away with the encore - prog-rock keyboards without much 'tune' to my ears. I did enjoy "Autumn", "DBTS" and "Sheep" [where the keyboard break was tuneful]
A so-so performance then for me but perhaps the rockier Strawbs is my ultimate cup of tea ......
