A GOOD LOOK BACK AT EARLY STRAWBS ON THE BBC
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 08/13/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One disc 69 minutes approximately. The sound is very good, if slightly flat in comparison to today's recordings. The booklet tells a bit of the story of the group STRAWBS, when they were originally known as THE STRAWBERRY HILL BOYS in 1963, and auditioning for the BBC's infamous audition panel. All song titles and dates are listed along with who plays what on each track. There are also some good period color and b & w photos of the band.
This first volume has tracks recorded for the BBC (Top Gear, Peter Starstedt, Sounds of the Seventies, Sequence) from 1968 through 1973. Occasionally there is a bit of chat from the DJ, but its not overly intrusive-rather it gives more of a feel for the times all those years ago. The music ranges from the groups earliest recordings as a more acoustic guitar/folk orientated band on through to progressive music with the addition of keyboards, drums, and more percussion. Band members during this time included Dave Cousins, Ron Chesterman, Tony Hooper, John Ford, Richard Hudson, Rick Wakeman (who changed the band's sound into something approaching progressive music), and Blue Weaver, and others who only played occasionally.
For anyone who likes relatively early STRAWBS, this is a real find. While some of these tracks, for the most part, which showed up on their first studio album (s), aren't radically different, there's a feel of a live recording, which gives these tracks their own identity. Early STRAWBS were fondly remembered as one of the original English folk groups, who went on to become one of the better progressive sounding bands in later years. With songs like "The Battle", "We'll Meet Again Sometime", "The Hangman and the Papist", "Witchwood", "New World" (in two versions a year apart), "Benedictus" (from 1971 where the band begins to head more toward a progressive sound thanks to Blue Weaver's keyboards, and Hudson's drums), "New World", and "The Winter and the Summer", the band's early folk/progressive years are well represented. Dave Cousins' worn, sometimes fragile sounding voice anchors the songs no matter if its folk or a more progressive sound later.
This group deserves to be heard by more people interested in early British folk and English/progressive music in the 60's/70's in general. This volume (and the second volume) can easily sit alongside any of STRAWBS albums from their early years. Hopefully more people will hear this wonderful, important music. Music rich in great writing, singing, playing, and arranging. If you haven't heard this group before, take some time and listen for yourself-you'll be pleasantly surprised. The second, 2CD, volume is in some respects better than this volume-both should be heard (and purchased) by anyone who appreciates great music from a great band.
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Why I Love The Strawbs
Joe | CT | 08/18/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These are the best live recording of The Strawbs!!! Sound quality is off the charts. Lambert's guitar screams on Lady Fuschia, Part Of The Union and The Winter And The Summer.The early tracts are off the charts. Vintage Dave Cousins, and why I love him so. Buy Vol 2 and Vol 1 Live At The BBC!! The Strawbs at there best, LIVE. It's never sounded so good."
