Updated: 25 Sep 2010
Benedictus
Simple Visions
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Josephine For Better Or Worse
The Hangman And The Papist
New World
Oh How She Changed
Ghosts
Tell Me What You See In Me
Copenhagen
On My Way
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
We'll Meet Again Sometime
THE ARK, ANN ARBOR MI, THU 9 SEP 2010
I was at the show last night at The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan to catch Dave and the guys for their tour opener in the States. I'm reckoning that this makes the eighth time I've seen the Strawbs since 1974 and it was great to see them reach back so far in the catalog. The crowd was lighter than usual, but the band was relaxed and since it was an American audience, I expected that they might stick with the more familiar tunes, but was pleasantly surprised to hear some old chestnuts resurrected for some very appreciative fans.
If last night was any indication, then the rest of the tour should go very well (but now this makes me want to travel to Canada to catch the electric shows!). Always a delight to have Mr. Cousins and company pay us a visit. Thanks for doing such a great job at keeping Strawbs fans updated on our favorite band.
The band played an enjoyable show before an audience of about 100 fans. The show opened with a lovely,version of "Benedictus",which showcased the band's near perfect harmonies. Several of the songs in the evening's set,were from the recently reissued All Our Own Work CD. Highlights of the performance were "Autumn",and Dave Lambert's powerful "Cold Steel". The show ended much too soon !
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Ghosts
The Hangman And The Papist
New World
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Oh How She Changed
Copenhagen
Cold Steel
Shine On Silver Sun
Tell Me What You See in Me
Autumn
Lay Down
We'll Meet Again Some
Where Silent Shadows Fall
BEACHLAND BALLROOM, CLEVELAND OH, SAT 11 SEP 2010
The Acoustic Strawbs rolled into Cleveland for the 3rd leg of their US tour. Looking fit and fresh, they played to a large crowd of enthusiastic fans at this live music-friendly venue just minutes from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Having seen the Acoustic Strawbs on numerous occasions, but not in the States for the past 3-4 years, it was a supreme pleasure watching and listening to their magic again. They have never sounded better, with exquisitely tight arrangements and passionate vocals. Dave Cousins was in fine form, entertaining the audience with his charming and witty stories between songs. Mr. Cousins poured so much passion and emotion into his vocals while delicately strumming his guitar and/or banjo, Dave Lambert literally attacked his guitar throughout the evening, while contributing lead and harmony vocals, and Chas Cronk kept busy with his foot pedals, 12- and 6-string acoustic and bass guitars and beautiful harmony vocals, especially in the higher registers.
Noting that this was the 9th anniversary of the infamous 9/11 terrorist attack (not that we needed reminding), the Strawbs ended the show with a highly emotional version of "Where Silent Shadows Fall," from Dancing to the Devil's Beat. I believe it was the first time they played this song live. Standing ovations all around!! Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum, are you listening?
I thought this was one of the best acoustic Strawbs performances and I've seen them about 6 times acoustic and twice electric as they come through the Cleveland Ohio area. The Beachland Ballroom is an old club that is not very big though it can be home for some rising stars and some older ones. Saw Jimmy Webb here last year but groups as diverse as Godspeed You Black Emperor have also come thru.
Young guy did solo guitar set for about 40 minutes, good voice, well written songs. He had opened for them in the past..Jann Kloss I think sorry name may be wrong
Promptly at nine the boys came on, Dave in his red with the big red guitar. Dave Lambert was curiously in the shadows for the night. We got "Benedictus" as the opener and right into "Simple Visions" which has always been one of my stage favorites with Dave's expressive arm movements and passionate singing, great start.
The list is below and like the gentleman in Michigan I could not swear about the order. Dave seemed in particularly good form and mood and had us laughing at almost all the song breaks. I won't mention these, because I'm sure there has to be some repetition at the shows and part of the fun is always Dave's stories.
Highlights for me were "The Hangman And The Papist" which is always so powerful and Dave can still find the strength to sell the song, similarly putting everything in to "New World". "Oh How She Changed" is always welcome to me and Dave L does a great job with this. I had not heard "Copenhagen" but enjoyed that and Dave's reminiscence of Sandy Denny.
If I had to quibble, I am never a fan of "Glimpse Of Heaven", it just seems to plod along for me and likewise "Shine On Silver Sun" is a bit repetitive without being compelling, but everyone has favorites and less so. I started a hand clap for "Lay Down" which a good bit of the audience got into so that was a nice ending.
We did get a bonus at the end as the encore which was excellent actually of "We'll Meet Again", usually not a favorite of mine but was nicely done and they were about to leave and Dave holds the boys up and says he wants to try an experiment with us which was to do "Where Silent Shadows Fall", which they had only done with an orchestra in the past..lovely song (from Devils Beat) and beautifully done, so a nice bonus..
Always great to see and hear them
THUNDERBIRD CAFE, PITTSBURG, SUN 12 SEP 2010
Photo by Dave Mignogna - more pictures from Dave
Benedictus/Simple Visions
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Josephine (For Better Or For Worse)
The Hangman And The Papist
New World
The Flower And The Young Man
Oh How She Changed
Ghosts
Tell Me What You See In Me
Copenhagen
Shine On Silver Sun
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
We'll Meet Again Sometime
THE TURNING POINT CAFE, PIERMONT NY, TUE 14 SEP 2010
It was a complete Strawbs experience for me. From the surprise phone call from Chas and the drop by their hotel and all through the gig. I met quite a few long time fans who don't post on the Witchwood but always show up at the gigs: Carl from Brewster, NY and Sibella from Princeton, NY (that's a long drive!) John from Parsippany, NJ and Paul from Oakland, NJ. and of course Bob from Staten Island. I know Bob will be posting a complete set list.
I ran from my car into the gig and forgot my quill and parchment. I met Debbie Shaw there too. Our man on the sound board, Paul, 'bless him, was there and the ever hard working Neil.
The Turning Point was packed to capacity, it's a small venue but full of character and characters! The set was pretty varied. No "Witchwood" this time. One guy kept asking for POTU insisting he's a union man. He wasn't obnoxious about but I guess that's "his" song. I wasn't about to explain the history the band and who wrote what and when. Similarly, Paul from Oakland really wanted "Witchwood" as well but was content when I said, well, you ask what you'd like from the band when they will surely come out to hang out with everybody. I think that cheered him up a bit.
As seems to be the case, while we all know the songs , the key factor is the performance. To that end, they just get better, well, actually more refined. Chas's pedal board strings were mixed as lush as I've ever heard them and Lamby has really, really finessed a lot of melodic flourishes. The playing was just indescribably beautiful.
Well I got an invite to go for a beer in Nyack but as the hour was late I thought it best to get home with my memories intact. For sure, I'll hang for a beer or two up at The Towne Crier where I promise to keep a setlist. Another fantastic night of musical brilliance and great friends. It's the stuff we live for.
A lot of old favorites were played and some songs played at the Turning Point, I believe for the first time in the U.S. with Strawbs ("Josephine" - previously played on the Cousins U.S solo tour, "Tell Me What You See", and "Copenhagen")
For me, the grouping of songs : "Copenhagen", "Shine On", and "Cold Steel" was the highlight of the night. Cousins jokingly warned the crowd that he was taking out the banjo, and I won't give the Perfect Pitch punch line here, but though I've heard him say it before, I always laugh at that one. Anyway, to my ears, this is where this acoustic trio really shines. I say, more banjo and bring back the dulcimer, Dave.
SELLERSVILLE THEATRE, SELLERSVILLE PA, THU 16 SEP and
STRAND THEATRE, LAKEWOOD NJ, FRI 17 SEP 2010
I just returned from my own autumn 2010 mini-version of the ongoing experience known as "touring with the Strawbs". I was once again playing my recurring role as chauffeur and bodyguard for Witchwood's own one-and-only Cinnie Morgan, who was making her first big public appearance following her recent health crisis (total paralysis brough on by what I would definitely consider a freak accident in her home - she is recovering steadily, and has regained enough of her motor skills to get around fairly well) We had a delightful time at both shows (and on the drive, and at her home in between...) Of course the music was the main thing, but getting to reconnect with so many friends before, during and after the shows is always the sweet icing on the cake.
Since a full year has passed since the last time we saw them live (at the 40TH Anniversary Extravaganza) we were both long overdue for our "Strawbs Fix". And they delivered in fine form. The setlist for both shows was very similar to the one posted from the previous show, but we did not get to hear the Flower and the Young Man. I am sure that other people will post far more coherent reviews than I can write at this time (as I am quite tired from all the activity and driving, and it is very late - or I should say very early in the morning!) but I wanted to at least chime in with a few impressions of my own.
As often happens, the two back-to-back shows each had a completely different 'flavor', despite having the same (or almost the same) setlists. This is a part of the magic of Strawbs music - it has so much depth and dimension, and so many ingredients come together to create the unique brew that we all know and love so well. Any difference, even subtle, influences the final outcome, including the venue, the audience, and of course, the individual members of the band.
So what does this all mean in relation to the two shows I have just experienced? Well, for whatever reason, as Cinnie commented to me, Thursday night's Sellersville Theater show had a lot of power, and Friday night's (Lakewood) Strand show had a lot of heart. Equally powerful, but different.
Thursday night was the classic 'dark and stormy night'. The Sellersville Theater is in a rather isolated location, and with no opening act, and theatre goers coming from several directions having encountered delays due to the the usual auto accidents that snarl traffic in bad weather, quite a few audience members I spoke to arrived late, rushed and stressed, as was I. Like the Strand, the Sellersville Theater is a beautifully restored, historic theatre with superb acoustics. There is a section of 'cabaret seating' tables between the stage and the main section of the audience, so there is a stronger sense of physical separation between the band and the larger portion of the audience. This always strikes me as creating a bit more impersonal atmosphere, and also a more 'grand' presence of the performers on stage. Although we saw quite a few familiar faces in the audience, this is not a venue that usually draws a large contingent of the Witchwood "family".
All three Strawbs were in fine musical form (both nights). DC seemed quite relaxed and in good spirits, engaging the audience with his usual witty commentary, reminiscences, and introductions to the songs. There was a very dynamic, yet solid, energy from the band, and they played the 'old favorites', the less-often played songs, and the newest song, "Copenhagen", with equal intensity and passion, and as usual, not a single note out of place. Given that the experience of music is sensory rather than verbal, the closest words I could come up with for this particular night's experience would be powerful, yet grounded. Very solid and energizing.
At both night's shows, there seemed to be new depth to the sound - I think maybe Chas has been adding to or modifying his bag of tricks connected to those wonderous pedals, and the already lush and perfect vocal harmonies came across stronger than ever. And every time I think that their individual masteries of their instruments have reached a pinnacle, somehow these guys just seem to get better the next time around.
In distinct contrast to the previous night, Friday was a lovely early autumn night in New Jersey, without a hint of the previous day's stormy turbulence, and the moon shining brightly in the clear sky. The concert at the Strand was predestined to be a unique experience, since it was set up to be an 'onstage with the performers' show. This is something that a few venues in this area are doing now to create a more intimate experience for performers and audience alike, and I am happy to see becoming a new format for concerts at the Strand. As usual, Ray (Coles) and Glenn did a fine job of turning this into a memorable musical experience and a real celebration as well. With nearly all of the Usual Suspects in attendance, plus some of the less frequently seen (in these parts at least) Witchwooders, even our own Fearless Leader, the illustrious Mr. Greener, and Pete Fool making a personal appearance on our humble shores, and John Hawken in the audience, the evening truly took on the spi rit of a family reunion.
Upon presenting our tickets at the door, each audience member was given a specially made laminated 'backstage pass' on a Strawberry-red lanyard and ushered in to the backstage area to take our seats on the stage, facing the audience area, so we could get a glimpse of what the band usually sees when they look out at us, while they performed on the front of the stage facing us. A bit of a challenge for the soundmen, as someone pointed out, because for this show, they had to make the sound go in the opposite direction from they way it usually goes (and the way the theater was designed to enhance the sound projection acoustically) And they managed to pull it off beautifully!
There was also a bar set up on the stage, and a good deal of socializing among the audence members, as the anticipation of a really special evening was almost tangible in the air. The opening act was Patrick Fitzsimmons, a fine singer/songwriter and 'friend of the theater' from Vermont. His performance and easy rapport with the audience was perfect for setting the scene for the main event to come, and I especially enjoyed his unique techique of playing percussion on the body and neck of his guitar to accent his performance.
When the Strawbs took the stage, the audience was relaxed and ready to enjoy the main event. And then, a strange thing happened - at least to me... Although I was still aware of the cavernous empty theatre beyond the stage where we sat, as soon as the first chords of Benedictus rang in my ears, my entire focus was drawn in to the immediate area and everything else seemed to fall away. Over the years, I have seen the Strawbs play in all sizes of venues, from very tiny to very large, but nothing really compared to this experience. It had all the intimacy of a performance in a small room, but the fullness of sound produced in a larger area. And there was something else, not quite tangiblee, about being up there, sharing a stage with the Strawbs.
Their performance was as flawless as the previous evening's. As often happens when there has been an opening act, there was no set break, just the continual flow from one song to the next, punctuated by DC's commentary, which took on an even more conversational demeanor due to the closeness of the audience. I noticed that DC had a bottle of pink lemonade in place of his usual beverage, and I think what also looked like a tin of lemon drop candies (although I may have been mistaken) - it looked to me like he is taking good care of his voice for the challenges presented by the current tour schedule, (and I hope he isn't coming down with the flu bug that was mentioned in a review of a prior NY show). Vocally, all three were quite strong, and their 3-part harmonies full, lush and sweet as ever, especially in the a capella sections. I especially enjoyed DL's vocals on his part of Ghosts and Autumn, both of which are personal favorites.
On another personal note, my ticket to the Strand concert was a gift from Cinnie for my birthday (next week - the 22nd) Going to a concert for my birthday has become a sort of a tradition for us since we met and became friends (through the magic of Witchwood), and I have been lucky that they have most frequently been Strawbs concerts. But this one also contained another gift - I got to realize my long-cherished fantasy of singing ON STAGE with the Strawbs, when DC urged the audience to 'sing-along-a-Strawbs' when they played "Lay Down" (not that I require much prompting to do so!)
When the music was over, we all reassembled in the gallery room where a long table was loaded with tiny 'White Castle' burgers and yummy looking cheese pizza (that dissapeared all too quickly - before I was able to get a slice) Another long table was set up with CDs for sale, and a space for all three Strawbs to greet their fans and sign whatever was presented to them. With large round tables set up around the room, the socializing continued until the last CD was signed, and the last photos were taken. One more memorable evening at the Strand, with old friends and new, lots of smiles, hugs and laughs, and most of all, some really, really AWESOME music.
And now it's over. Until the next time.
Thanks from the bottom of my very full and very grateful heart to everyone who helped make these two memorable and special evenings. I could never adequately express how much my life has been enriched by the magic of this music, a cherished treasure in my life for more than 30 years. And now, many years since I first heard the music, the magic continues -- being so warmly welcomed by the players themselves, as well as meeting so many great people from so many different places, and sharing so many good times because of this music, which is really like no other...
TOWNE CRIER, PAWLING NY, SAT 18 SEP 2010
It was a very beautiful Sept. day. I got up to Pawling, NY at about 5:00 PM. The Strawbs were doing their sound check, so I headed into the bar. The bar and main room are separated by the bar of course but it's a wall with a long glass panel so you can see into the main room.
I met a relatively new guy, well I hadn't really met him before last Tues. Bill is his name and a true brother. He used to work at The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ (now sadly gone). Bill had tons of beautiful photos of The Strawbs (circa 1973). Plus posters and a jacket. Cousins was particularly taken with one spectacular photo of The Strawbs on stage. It is incredible and for sure there's an album cover right there.
Well, we all had a beer outside and checked out the beautiful view from the front of the Town Crier. Arriving were Judi, Bill and Bev, Lisa, Ron and Taylor, Carl, Sibella, and a grand entrance by two Fools, Dick Greener and the man on the keys, Pete. My two great friends John and Lauren showed up and we were off. Being it was early, we had a bit of a surprise advance listen to Strawberry Fayre, "Heartbreak Hill". Well those that were there know it was killer. It is. I thought it was the studio version but more powerful.
The evening did get under way with the Strawbs taking stage. The set list mirrors that of The Turning Point but I believe they didn't do "The Flower and The Young Man". On "Copenhagen", Lamberts solo was beautifully graced by his judicious use of double stops adding an almost Hendrix flavor to it (think "Little Wing"). Also on "Tell Me What You See In Me", Lambert used the E-bow to get that violin like sustain. The overall performance sounded more energetic and relaxed than The Turning Point, Cousins seemed to be more rested. Vocally, everyone was spot on. Cousins vocal on "New World" was particularly powerful. They encored with "We'll Meet Again Sometime".
We all adjourned into the bar afterwards and had a great chat. Oh yeah, the newly wed Amanda was there with her sweet mom Veronica, where I apologised for accidentally pushing Hawken into the wedding cake and inadvertently insulting her new husband. Oh well. But Cousins was having a great time checking out Bills photos and trying his Capitol Theatre jacket on. A local tee shirt vendor made a special Strawbs shirt. I know Dick Greener got one and hopefully he'll send pix. It's a beauty and could easily be an album cover, looks a bit like the inside of Grave New World. Very cool.
Well, I owe a few people a couple of rounds and really look forward to returning the favor. The hour was getting late so I had a nice farewell chat with Chas, truly one of then most wonderful guys in the universe. They were heading to Danbury Connecticut, I had an hours drive back. I won't be able to see the band anymore this tour, but those of you still going, well, you know, it's THE STRAWBS, truly the greatest band in the world. I really do mean that in the loving sense.
I have to commend you once again on your incredible website. For if I didn't happen to be browsing amongst it the other day, I would have never stumbled upon that the "Acoustic Strawbs" were playing back at the Towne Crier Café in Pawling, New York once again.
This is the third time I've seen Mr. Cousins play there within a years time. First time solo with Ian Cutler in mid-winter/spring of 09, which included for our entertainment, a BLACKOUT (I wrote a piece about THAT within your website). Second time during the summer months, the "Electric Strawbs" with the 1974 lineup, including John Hawken on keyboards. I was a little concerned when John had quite a head injury before that performance and following the tour home that Dave C. had a car accident from Heathrow. My sympathies to John H. for I've heard that was his last performance and he has gone into retirement. Your talent will be missed, John.
I was thinking, "What a jinxed tour this has been. Will they ever come back to The States?". Well, they did, Thank God, as of Saturday July 18 of 2010, Mr. Cousins, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Cronk came back to Pawling playing acoustically (and D.C. said they'd be back again in thirty years, HA!) Well I'm glad they didn't wait THAT long. But what a fantastic night it was, and enjoyed by one and all. I won't list the songs they played as so many people have, but "Autumn" and "Ghosts" strike a chord with me (excuse the pun).
I sat way in the back and took some pretty nice pictures during it and was surprised how well they came out considering the distance and the low-light level with the "no flash pictures policy" (I guess I was one of the few abiding with that policy). Must be that Leica 12x lens and pushing the ISO to the max. Oh by the way Mr. Lambert, when you go to Canada on tour, I want to take you up on that offer of you paying for my airfare. I can be your personal photographer, LOL!
Anyway, the wife and I had a great night and enjoyed ourselves immensely I hope we don't have to wait until, as D.C. put it, "See you all in another twenty five years". Special thanks to Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk, who I shared a smoke with at the side door at intermission. And, of course, Dave Cousins who signed my book, "Secrets, Stories, & Songs". (See Dave, I even throw in a plug for you). Well, best of love to one and all and PLEASE don't give up touring. A fan till the end of time.
Photo by Barry Gimpel - more pictures from Barry
UNIVERSITY CAFE, STONY BROOK NY, SUN 19 SEP 2010
Please pass along our thanks to Dave and the band for a Great show. It was also nice to chat with them afterwards. Dave Cousins made a point that i listen to the spken word Cd in the book which I did, loved it, again thanks.
Benedictus/Simple Visions
A Glimpse Of Heaven
Josephine (For Better Or For Worse)
The Hangman And The Papist
New World
The Flower And The Young Man
Oh How She Changed
Ghosts
Tell Me What You See In Me
Copenhagen
Shine On Silver Sun
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
We'll Meet Again Sometime
BB KING'S, NEW YORK NY, TUE 21 SEP 2010
I attend live performances 20-25 times a year. While I certainly expect a high level of professionalism at any performance, I recognize that by some shows will better than others -- even at a Strawbs show. If I'm lucky, very lucky, once every couple of years, I go to a show that is "special" and will stay with you for a long time. The September 21 Acoustic Strawbs concert at BB Kings was such a show.
The warm up act was Aztec Two Step. They are a duo of acoustic guitar players (accompanied by a back up bass player, not part of the group formal). A2S has been around nearly as long as Strawbs and will be marking the 40th anniversary of their first album next year. In younger days, I used to follow this group and had seen them several times in concert, but I doubt that I had heard their music in at least 25 years. The set had a sense of eerie familiarity throughout. This group makes an excellent warm up band for Acoustic Strawbs. As an acoustic duo the style is complimentary, but musically not so similar as to make either set less interesting. (I think of their music as kind of a cross between Al Stewart and Simon & Garfunkle).
The Acoustic Strawbs US tour has been opening with "Benedictus". As the familiar strains of the a capella opening were sung, I knew we were in for a good evening the voices were good, and the sound at BB Kings excellent. When the instrumentals started, I could only think WOW -- this is literally as good as I've ever heard them. Individual notes clear crisp and distinct. I was particularly impressed with Chas' base lines which came through as distinct while not overpowering the melody. Musically, this is as good as it gets.
For those of us who attend many concerts, one of the great things about the Strawbs is the depth and breadth of the song list, and how they vary the list from tour to tour. Though I haven't checked my notes, my recollection is that many prior tours have focused on the three albums that sold best in the US (Bursting at the Seams, Hero & Heroine, and Ghosts).
While these albums were represented in the set ("Lay Down", "Shine on Silver Sun", "Autumn" and "Ghosts"), the focus of the set was songs from older albums and bygone days -- "Benedictus", "New World", "Oh How She Changed", "Tell Me What You See In Me", "Josephine (For Better or For Worse)" (I love the is song), "Glimpse of Heaven" and "The Hangman and the Papist". Songs from the newer albums were also represented (Dave Lambert's "Cold Steel" and "Copenhagen"). With all songs, we always have to listen carefully to try and pick up as many of the tweaks in the arrangements that occur from tour to tour.
Finally, and this is a necessity for for a show to be special -- the audience was really into the set. Many or most were fans of the group and seemed familiar with the music. The band seemed to be playing off of the audience's energy.
Of course any NY Strawbs Concert is a reunion and a celebration, as the NY Witchwooders generally make their appearance. It was great catching up with good friends and to see them all there.