Search - Strawbs :: Halcyon Days

Buyers - be aware of differing versions!

PGBESQ | 05/20/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For Strawbs fans, this is an excellent sampler of their early/middle periods on A&M.However, you should be aware that if you buy this title through MusicExpress of Germany (as I did - way cheaper!), one of Amazon's 3rd-party vendor partners, you will probably receive the European (UK) version of Halcyon Days, which differs greatly from the advertised US version on Amazon.ca. I hasten to add that the service from MusicExpress was exemplary. Also, the UK version is terrific.The UK version (clearly compiled for the Euro market) contains great liner notes and gems rarely heard in North America such as "Will Ye Go" (a revamped Celtic trad tune done in the pub-thumping style of "Part of the Union" (also included)-- "Will Ye Go" is easily the equal of the early Byrds' version of the same song, which thay called "Wild Mountain Thyme"), "Ciggy Barlust" (a kind of spoof of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust phase), a few really good non-Strawbs Hudson-Ford tunes, and about a dozen others (including B-sides) not on the US version. Although it does contain much of the same material, some key tracks from the US version are missing, e.g., "Autumn," Tears and Pavan," "Lemon Pie," "Glimpse of Heaven," "Heavy Disguise," "Hanging in the Gallery" and quite a few others.Short of buying the individual A&M albums (which remain ludicrously expensive), "A Choice Selection of Strawbs" (also ludicrously expensive), in combination with the UK Halcyon Days, appears to be the best alternative, minimizing duplication and overall cost. Be aware, however, that "Choice" (which I haven't heard) has not been recently remastered and may not sound as good as Halcyon or the original albums, which have been. Oh, well..... perhaps A&M should consider a combo version triple set ("The Compleat Halcyon Days"?), combining all tracks from both versions. In the meantime, Amazon should be more diligent in ensuring that their 3rd-party partners have the same version as advertised, or make it clear that differing versions exist (Amazon seemed to have no problem with the US vs. UK versions of the Stones' "Aftermath," "Between The Buttons," and "Out Of Our Heads," for example). I do realize how hard it must be to keep up with all the various differing versions of albums out there, but there's really no excuse. Still, although I give "Halcyon Days (UK) 5 stars for content, subtract two stars for Amazon's ambiguous product information and/or faulty communication with their third-party vendors."

Awesome British Songwriting with Virtuoso Performances!

Robert J. Amato | 08/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where do you start on such an incredible collection of great songs by a horrendously underrated band of virtuoso musicians?

I had the benefit of seeing this band live for their "Ghosts" tour in New York and was totally spellbound. I have had all of the albums in their 12" versions and the remasters that were done by A&M were done with much love and care. There is something for everyone on this collection and one thing you will notice as you go from song to song is how this band could go from one style to another without losing a beat. I really cannot get into how anyone could find fault with this music, so if you read anything even partly negative completely disregard it.

The version I have of this disk was made in Germany and available at Tower records for $18.99 U.S. dollars which is an absolute bargain considering the song "Blue Angel" by Dave Cousins is easily worth that much alone. Disk one opens with "Ghosts" taken from the recording of the same name. My other favorites on this disk are: "Stormy Down","Benedictus", "Hero and Heroine", and "Round & Round",.

Outstanding cuts from cd two are: "Grace Darling","Blue Angel","Floating in the Wind",(a great song from a recording by Hudson/Ford), and of course their one big British smash "Part of the Union", and "Down By the Sea". If you like what you find here search out the cds. I would say that there are 4 that are absolutely essential:

1. Hero & Heroine

2. Ghosts

3. From the Witchwood

4. Bursting at the Seams

My favorite two recordings by Strawbs members are:

1. Two Weeks Last Summer (Dave Cousins solo)

2. Free Spirit (Hudson/Ford) Unreleased as of right now, WHY?

"

Good Overview With Some Interesting Out Takes

Lawrance M. Bernabo | 08/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One solid point for purchasing this cd is that it can serve as a "best of" for seasoned Strawbs fans, and can also serve as a "sampler" to the uninitiated. Most of the songs here are from the earlier years of The Strawbs (1969 through 1975)with some solo material added to balance this two disc set out. There are also some B-side singles included here. I for one am happy that there is some solo material included, as most of the solo material is not yet released on cd or is difficult to find. For those of us who do not have an lp of "Two Weeks Last Summer", a David Cousins solo album, there are at least three songs included from that lp here. This cd really does serve well as a historical overview (at least up until 1975) of one of the most adventurous progressive rocks groups of our time."