Updated: 27 Feb 2012
Part 2 - Second leg - 2 March to 24 March
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
The Weary Song
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
Witchwood
I Turned My Face Into The Wind
Oh How She Changed
The Hangman And The Papist
Benedictus
Blue Angel
Ghosts
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
Shine On Silver Sun
FOLK CLUB, GRAYSHOTT, SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2012
The stars were shining brightly on this perfectly clear and still night, but none more so than the Acoustic Strawbs at the Grayshott Folk Club. Firstly I'm pleased to report that it was a full house, unfortunately we saw several people being turned away but what a joy to see "Sold Out" splashed across the poster. GFC is held in one of the largest village halls in Hampshire, its well ran, thriving and welcoming.
I've been an avid follower of the Strawbs since The White Bear days in Hounslow (1960s) and have seen them 100+ times over the years. So here is an amazing thing "tonight was pure magic" the best I've ever seen this line-up play. The inclusion of "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" and three songs taken from Dragonfly is inspired. For me it's their finest album and this performance totally captured its beauty and spirit. Also the revamped links between songs were DC at his humorous best, loosely chronicling the history of the band. This gives the evening a storyteller feel that draws the audience in and adds an intimacy that's sometimes missing in many concert situations.
The setlist was pretty much the same as the earlier tour dates.
Highlights:
As regular readers will know I have been to a few Strawbs gigs over the years, so when I say last night was up there with the very best, (more reasons than I can illustrate here) you can believe it was a very special night indeed.
The chaps had played the same venue last year with around 100 attending, this time the message had clearly got through to the community with over twice that number turning up in an audience that also included some travellers from distant places such as Norway.
The audience had a real treat the band were on the top of their form and, with Dave C also on his must ebullient story telling mode, they were treated to far more than just the music from the stage. Laughter rang out at a number of the tales whilst there was also a reverential hush as the large audience took in the more pictorial stories.
Everyone attending a show always has their "wish list" of songs, but having been at the earlier Bristol gig, I already had a good idea, but it was lovely to watch the reactions as songs such as "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "Blue Angel", "Ghosts" and "Shine On Silver Sun" came and went, satisfying those individual wants and desires. Each of course was performed with stunning accuracy and with subtle and searing parts in equal measure blending the evening into one of infinite pleasure.
With a number of tracks from the earlier albums also now appearing in the set, thoughts turned to the time I heard those with the original trio, no doubt as a spotty teen, these days it is only the age that has moved on a bit it seems. The music remains a real timeless pleasure.
Excellent night.
THE FLOWERPOT, DERBY, THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2012
Thursday night at The Flowerpot usually brings a rush of punters five minutes before the start - we had tickets 50-54 and Keith Brown had 57/58 ...... I don't think many joined after that. It's a strange room as well with benches around the sides and no seating in the middle so given the c.60 punters it led to a strange atmosphere and the impression that only 20 people were attending.
Before the start we wondered if Dave Lambert was going to turn up - we spotted DC and we saw Chas but no DL until at 9.15 all three took to the stage. I knew the set list and was really looking forward to it - someone mentioned beforehand that the sound was going to be great and much better than the last visit of the Electrics ......
As it turned out the new additions to the set list proved to bring a great balance to the set favouring the earlier albums but representing the later ones with excellent versions of "Ghosts", "Autumn" and "Cold Steel".
Unfortunately most of the set was marred by a sound mix that favoured the bass notes rendering some of the quieter lyrics almost indecipherable; and DL was way too low in the mix.
DC's new linking anecdotes were amusing and informative as always - looks like I'll need to find another gig to hear the set as it ought to be ......
Shame there wasn't many at the Flowerpot, hope it wasn't the silly rumour about it "not being a good acoustic venue" - sounded great to me, one of the best I've seen and heard for ages. A great set with the Dragonfly stuff especially. Great to see Mike and crew again. Enjoyed Sevenoaks and Halifax too, hope to catch at least another out of current tourlist.
SQUARE CHAPEL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS, HALIFAX, SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2012
Photo by Alison Brown - More of Ali's pictures
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
The Weary Song
Josephine
Oh How She Changed
Witchwood
I Turned My Face Into The Wind
The Hangman And The Papist
Benedictus
Blue Angel
Ghosts
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
Shine On Silver Sun
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, BOURNE, FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2012
When I saw that the Acoustics were booked to play at The Grammar School in Bourne, a mere 8 or so miles away from where I live, my excitement was hard to contain. We usually get to see the band at either The Borderline in London or at The Flowerpot in Derby, necessitating late trains home to rural Cambridgeshire or even an overnight stay. Imagine then my concern when, the day before the gig in Bourne, the temperature started to plummet and the snow began to fall. Would they be able to make it up here? On the morning of the gig, the sky was clear, the snow lay deep on the ground and, in my garden, the interwoven branches were indeed laden deep with snow….but the roads were clear and we were set for a winter's feast of music.
The hall at Bourne Grammar School is, for the size of school, fairly small but was the perfect size of venue. The organisers had set up a bar at one end which was stocked with an excellent range of bottled beers and wines - and all at a great price. The raised stage was formally set with the DC's now familiar red Gretsch, CC's quilted top Dean bass and 12 string and DL's blue Dean Key Largo. DC's banjo was also to be seen and, a sight that I had not seen since the band's triumphant performance at Cropredy in 2007 with the Hero and Heroine line up, DC's dulcimer. Was it to be for "Benedictus" maybe or "Witchwood" both in traditional arrangements? We knew that were in for a treat…
Promptly on stage at 7.30pm, the chaps looked really relaxed. DC introduced the evening as journey in time through the band's music and starting, right back at the beginning, with not one but three songs from Strawbs/Dragonfly - "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "The Weary Song" and "Josephine". DC was in the finest vocal form, the rhythms were tight and the vocal harmonies precise. CC's bass was reminiscent of Ron Chesterman's double bass at times and DL's lead solos were masterly (but made to look so wonderfully effortless!). Next, "Oh How She Changed" – I love both the acoustic and more recent re-worked electric arrangements. DC then reached for the banjo for "Witchwood" and the instrumentation in those opening bars sent a shiver down the spine….it was musical perfection. The first set drew to a close with "I Turned My Face Into The Wind" and "The Hangman And The Papist" (to which DC's introduction was a real treat!). Passionate vocals from DC, the band in top form.
Set two opened with "Benedictus" and DC on dulcimer: every finest nuance from the album track was there in the vocals and instrumentation and the audience were truly blessed. Forward in time then to a full and rare rendition of "Blue Angel": we were carried to the highest heights. We were then treated to "Ghosts" with DL's excellent vocals and then to one of his most popular compositions, "Cold Steel" with its driving power and tight lead. The rich musical colours of "Autumn" followed, with "Lay Down" to finish.
What then could follow as an encore to crown such a marvellous two sets? After rapturous applause from a truly delighted audience, DC reached for the banjo again to lead "Shine On Silver Sun". For a moment I was taken back in time to that moment in time in November when I stood back to admire the wall of pure Strawbs' sound from the full electric band performing the same song at The Borderline….
The temperature gauge in the car hit minus 11.5 going home, but this had been a winter's journey which had been truly worthwhile.
Photo by Alison Brown - More of Ali's pictures
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
The Weary Song
Josephine For Better Or For Worse
Witchwood
I Turned My Face Into The Wind
Oh How She Changed
The Hangman And The Papist
Benedictus
Blue Angel
Ghosts
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down
Shine On Silver Sun
RED LION FOLK CLUB, KINGS HEATH, WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2012
Acoustic Strawbs put on a brilliant show tonight for their annual visit to the Red Lion Folk Club. The set was full of welcome surprises and showed ,once again, the band's mastery of dynamics and ambience. They kicked off with "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" and I love the Acoustics' rendition of this. It just builds beautifully. Next up, a newcomer to the repertoire -"The Weary Song" from Dragonfly. A great arrangement and lovely to hear. I've never understood why DC once said he found it hard to listen to that album. It's "of it's time" for sure but an important work I think. This is reflected by the fact that the guys gave no less than three songs from it an airing tonight, including the atmospheric "I Turned My Face Into The Wind". Chas's pedals really sounded great on this one.
The theme of the whole set was really 'the Strawbs musical journey' and it was an eye opener to hear the development of the band through the way this set has been put together. The first set finished with "The Hangman And The Papist" which is always a highlight. Chas's punchy bass lines and DL's percussive guitar towards the end was a treat to hear.
The second set started with "Benedictus" and David's dulcimer made a welcome re-appearance. A very nostalgic moment for me. It was hearing that sound on their appearance on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test', when Richard Williams described, quite rightly, the Grave New World album as a 'folk-rock classic' - that first got me hooked on The Strawbs and their music.
"Blue Angel" followed. The first time I've ever heard it performed live. This intricate and moving song is a personal favourite and the band tackled it with their usual aplomb. It's a shame more people didn't turn up to hear this great set and departure from the 'sing-a-longa -Strawbs' set they tend to reserve for this venue. Maybe it was the bitterly cold evening or maybe people were listening to the events in Salford at home on their radios. If there's any justice at all,our guys will be the next recepients of the BBC Folk Awards Life Achievement gong!
Man Who Called Himself Jesus
The Weary Song
I Turned My Face Into The Wind
Witchwood
Josephine (For Better Or For Worse)
The Hangman And The Papist
Oh How She Changed
Benedictus (with dulcimer)
Blue Angel
Cold Steel
Ghosts
Autumn
Lay Down
Shine On Silver Sun
THE TUNNELS, BRISTOL, THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2012
Slightly belated review of the first show of the tour, the only one I've been able to get to so far (working on getting to Stratford). I knew that our boys had had there days in rehearsal immedately before the tour, so I was looking forward to some new/newly arranged stuff in the set, and wasn't in any way disappointed.
The Tunnels is a new venue in Bristol, rihgt next to Temple Meads Station - you walk into one space with a curved roof which is the bar, and then cut through into the next which is the performance space. Having got there with minutes to spare after a tour of one particular part of Bristol with Nigel, trying to find the venue, I didn't have time to wonder about what a tunnel "sound" might be, and headed for the far side to stand fairly close to the front. I was pleasantly surprised by the result - everything clear and well-mixed, and settled down to watch the show.
First up, the return of "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" to the setlist - always liked the acoustic version of this and stilll do - a great opener. Then, the first of what was to be there (yes THREE!) songs from Dragonfly in the first half - "The Weary Song", one of my favourite ever Strawbs songs and one I've never ever heard live before in any form. Grinning stupidly already (which is my usual response to a delightful Strawbs surprise), I was then treated to another Dragonfly favourite, "I Turned My Face Into The Wind", Cousins' soulful treatment of the lyric perfectly matching the arrangement which included DC on banjo.
Next, the band switched from early 1970 to 1971 for a banjo-led "Witchwood", current arrangement, with DL taking the vocal on the last verse. "Josephine" followed, which I've commented on before, great arrangement, perfect 60's feel to Lambert's acoustic solo. Then, "The Hangman And The Papist" a strong, powerful, acoustic treatment, and finishing the first half with the familiar (but no less welcome) "Oh How She Changed".
A first set with nothing post 1971, most of it from the first album and Dragonfly, and with Chas playing bass rather than 12-string for most of it. Much enjoyment all round.
Returning from the bar for the second set, we see an old friend laid out on stage! The dulcimer is back, for a thoroughly welcome dulcimer-led version of "Benedictus" (NB. it's not that I don't enjoy the previous semi-accapella version, with DL on guitar, but the dulcimer just adds a fantastic texture to those already provided by this multi-talnted trio). And then, with 1971 slipping to 1972, we get the whole of "Blue Angel", for me, one of DC's most powerful songs, EVER! The grin is back in place, for sure.
"Cold Steel" follows, the counterpoint of Cousins' banjo and Lambert's riffing at its heart, with Chas adding a lite touch on 12-string. Then into the "big-hitters" finale - "Ghosts" followed by "Autumn" and "Lay Down" to finish the set. For an encore, responding to a request, the banjo again for "Shine On Silver Sun".
A splendidly enjoyable new set for the Acoustics with some real treats from the early days, and some of Cousins' most powerful songs, delivered as a sort of chronology of the Strawbs, allowing Cousins to feed the audience with loads of anecdotes from the band's long history. Couldn't be much better.
Excitement and tension mounted (partly due to almost bumping into Suggs from Madness at a service station, and partly due to an ominous noise coming from the car exhaust) as Dick and I headed west for acoustic Strawbs' first outing of 2012. Having negotiated Bristol's rush-hour traffic we eventually arrived in sub-zero temperatures to be warmly welcomed by Heather, Eileen and George (a gorgeous 9-month old labradoodle). Eileen had cooked us one of her delicious "legendary" lasagnes, we were joined by Nigel, and a good Strawb-filled evening was on the menu.
After dithering over whether to keep wearing my thick woolly jumper or change into something less suitable for an Arctic expedition I was glad to have changed, as The Tunnels turned out to be a cosy venue with a warm atmosphere. The audience grew as we sat and chatted in the bar and, as Nigel has mentioned, several Strawbs' regulars turned up to witness a great show. Favourable gasps were heard from the gathered crowd on several occasions at the unexpected gems in the setlist. It all bodes well for the long list of acoustic dates to come and, although it may be impossible to please all of the people all of the time, I think the choice of songs will greatly please the majority.
After post-gig strumalongs and the odd drink chez Heather and Eileen, even George had run out of steam and could wag no more. We retired to our respective boudoirs to be awoken a few hours later to enjoy more of Eileen's legendary cooking for breakfast. Next on the agenda was a brief encounter with a very helpful Kwik-fit fitter, after which Dick's dodgy motor was sorted out. The trip to Kwikfit seemed to make us all ravenous yet again, so it was off to enjoy a meze at a lovely Morroccan/Lebanese/Turkish restaurant in a trendy part of Bristol. After an interesting chauffeur-driven tour of the city including a trip over the Clifton suspension bridge we said our goodbyes and thank-you's and headed off into the soft, falling snow (well it started a bit later anyway). 'Twas a great start to the tour and a real mid-winter tonic.
The dulcimer is back on tour ! Photo by Tim Arthur - More of Tim's pictures