STRAWBS - MAGIC FROM THE MOON
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Les Cotton
A memorable weekend, I was there both days for a spectacular celebration of 40 years of Strawbs.
Terrific lineups all weekend, and Jon's camera team did a good job of capturing the events shown on this BluRay disc. The Acoustics set was a broad selection of early Strawbs songs, going right back to the early days of the 60s. A high point for me was hearing the lovely Sonja Kristina sing the songs that Sandy Denny had originally performed...Sonja's voice is perfect for this, crystal clear and note perfect, she did a great job. Backing vocals from both Dave's and Chas fitted in really well, with Chas providing lovely String and pedal Bass parts from his footpedals, at the same time as playing real Bass or 12 string guitar AND doing backing vocals...how DOES he do all that at the same time ? Nice to hear Dave Lambert do Cold Steel, with DC on Banjo, too.
Joined by the magnificent Royal Artillery Orchestra, directed by Robert Kirby, the whole show went to a different level. "Evergreen" was particulaly amazing, a wonderful arrangement. Lovely pairing of John Ford and Dave Lambert, together with the brass section, for "Heavy Disguise", sounded great. The always-epic "The River"/"Down By The Sea" became something else with the full arrangement, it really blew the roof off...and who could forget the epic "When Silent Shadows Fall" as a fitting finale, earning a huge standing ovation.
All in all, a good job by Jon Connolly and Crew doing the Multi Camera Video shoot, it cant have been easy... and the Strawberry Fools in trio form even got to play a small set next door too !
Comments from Dick Greener
For me the section I had been most looking forward to was the recruitment of Sonja Kristina to sing four of the Sandy Denny songs from that first album - including my two favourites: "On My Way" and "All I Need Is You" with faultless four part harmonies (Ron Chesterman was not as far as I know a singer, so we were one up on the original).
Another highlight for me was the beautiful acoustic rendition of "Josephine", with Dave Lambert's hugely restrained and tasteful acoustic lead, which I don't think has been captured elsewhere. As Les comments, the spirited rendition of "Heavy Disguise" by John Ford and Dave Lambert in front of the orchestra's brass section, was another highlight (catch John Ford's triumphal "yeah!" at the end).
"River"/Down By The Sea" always has the sheer power to impress and on this occasion with the orchestra in full flow, primarily in the instrumental outro section, it was a tour de force indeed. And to finish, the poignant "Where Silent Shadows Fall" with Dave's sometimes near-unaccomanpied vocal and stripped back chords, leading into the closing flourishes of the full orchestra backing - a beautiful song and an utterly stunning performance.
This Rlu-Ray is "a souvenir of a beautiful daydream" ... for sure!
Comments from Bjorn Nilsen
My wife and I went to Twickenham in 2009, probably in September if I remember correctly. This was the most important happening in my life and nothing has surpassed it before or since. For me Strawbs is something very special, and will probably be until kingdom come.
Acoustic Strawbs was just fantastic, the interaction the guys performed made the experience something that can never or will be forgotten. Evergreen was probably the highlight along with on My Way, Sail away to the sea Acoustic Strawbs with Sonja Kristina. Cold Steel (D Lambert) is worth mentioning.
But then there was The River and Down by the sea with the orchestra and conductor Robert Kirby. John Ford sings Heavy Disguise and really every song on this DVD is a highlight.
Years have passed since September 2009, and I am still waiting for the entire 2 day concert to be released so that I can relive this when I am old and grey. It wasn't just the concert that was amazing, but I met Strawbs fans from all over Europe/USA and possibly from other parts of the world. Got to sit at the same table and have lunch with some of the Strawbs, had a little chat with Rick Wakeman, Blue Weaver and more. And had the pleasure of meeting Strawberry Fools. And a special thanks to Dick Greener.