Search - Strawbs :: Nomadness

Lousy Mastering, But Worth Getting Anyway

allismile0 | 12/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a Strawbs album that, well, doesn't really sound much like the Strawbs. But it's still a good album! I actually like the mock-Who material like "Little Sleepy," and tracks like Peter Gabrielesque "To Be Free" and "A Mind of My Own" also stand up well. It's not a prog rock album (in fact, when it tries to be, it fails), and it's not often folk rock either, but when taken on its own terms it rocks out just fine. It's been out of print for so long that any Strawbs fan will (and should) jump at this CD release. That said, the mastering job really is pretty wretched. I'm enjoying having this CD, but I'm looking forward to someone, someday, putting out a properly remastered version."

Pretty good material..pretty terrible recording quality

Lee J. Davito | 01/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have the PROGRESSIVE LINE copy of this CD....it's pretty obvious that the bootlegger referred to store bought cassette for his source.....the tape had been apparently mangled in a couple of spots and you can hear the highs fall in and out.....there is an unnatural amount of hiss throughout....It's just a terrible shame that the legal issues are preventing a legit remastered verion...along with bonus tracks...to be released.....it is probably the weakest effort by Strawbs..but for those who like the band.....it is an integral addition to their collection...We can only hope for a legal resolution....as far as the rating??? 4 stars for the effort...and 2 stars for the recording quality."

The Last Great Strawbs album from A&M

Rykre | Carson City, Nevada | 12/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album isn't getting the respect it deserves from A&M. All the earlier Strawbs albums from "Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios" up to "Ghosts" has been released on CD by A&M, and released respectfully from Japan and Germany. This CD of "Nomadness" is released on some unknown release label from Australia called Progressive Line (Records). And it's a lousy recording too. It sounds like it was mastered from someone's old cassette tape. It sounds very flat and muddy.



But, this album has some true gems that have been a part of my life ever since I was a kid. Although I'm rather fond of all the songs, to me, this album gets strongest at the very end. Two of the three best songs are "Hanging in the Gallery" and "The Promised Land". Thank goodness these two were on the re-mastered "best of" collection called "Halcyon Days" (the US version). However, my absolute favorite on "Nomadness" was called "A Mind of My Own".



After their "Nomadness" album, the Strawbs continued to have band member changes and they drifted further away from both of their Folk and their Progressive influences and started to sound more like a typical pop music group that was already the sound that was saturating the pop music charts. It was all so easily dismissible since the Strawbs were so strong during their A&M days. Only true Strawbs loyalists continued to buy the Strawbs albums (I'm guilty of this too, nowadays) even after A&M gave up on them. Their immediate follow-up albums (from the Oyster label) were "Deep Cuts" and "Burning for You". There are a few good tunes, but these albums are easily and regrettably forgettable.



The album afterwards, called "Deadlines" ended strong. Their songs "Deadly Nightshade" and "Words of Wisdom" are two of Dave Cousins best songs ever.



Strawbs continued to perform and release albums in later years. Dave Cousins still likes to find old band members who probably have nothing better to do, and they've done some shows and released some albums. In 1988, their album "Don't Say Goodbye" and 1991's "Ringing Down the Years" are both pretty good. I think these two albums are better than their albums from the late seventies after "Nomadness".



But, alas, they were running out of creative ideas yet again, and started to lose their appeal once again. What's frustrating about the Strawbs is that Dave Cousins likes to keep re-recording earlier songs, like he thinks he's improving on them. I wish he wouldn't do this. In 2002, Dave Cousins got together with Rick Wakeman and recorded another album together. Rick Wakeman left the Strawbs back in 1971 to join Yes and to do solo projects. And even on this Cousins and Wakeman album, Cousins still did some re-recordings that Rick Wakeman had nothing to do with back in their heyday.



Dave Cousins seems to be the only member of the Strawbs that was on every Strawbs album. All the other members just came and went over the years. But, I'm sure that every Strawbs fan will agree that the Strawbs best albums were the albums of the A&M years (1969-1975). If you can find it, look for their double CD called "Halcyon Days" (the US version). It is the very best of the Strawbs put together all in one great double CD package. In fact, it was done so well that it is very obvious that A&M have no intentions of releasing their albums separately. You'd have to buy their expensive imports as I have.



I hope someday they will release the Hudson-Ford albums on CD. These two guys contributed to what made the folk side of the Strawbs so strong back in their earlier days.



Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, the Strawbs, Yes, Pink Floyd, Triumvirat, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Rick Wakeman, and Monty Python's Flying Circus. These were the strongest influences in my life as a kid. The Strawbs are still performing shows throughout England. They have a following just like the Grateful Dead had here in America. I'd like to see them come do a show here in California. Perhaps they could do a double billing with maybe Blackmore's Night. That would be a great show where they would actually compliment each other being seen together. What do you think? Strawbs fan's should check out Blackmore's Night.



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