CLASSIC STRAWBS

A superb selection of early Strawbs recordings which unfortunately has not been released on CD. But for those still living in the stone age of vinyl it is well worth the hunt through second hand shops. Classic Strawbs is arguably the finest anthology from any 1970`s progressive rock band complete with magnificent cover art of a giant Strawberry mystically alighting in the center of the ruins at Stonehenge as well as a collection of band photos inside the gatefold.

Appropriately opening with the ominous moog led intro to Autumn, this instrumental sets the mood for pretty much the whole colection of reflective and dreamy compositions, both lyrically and instrumentally, for which the Strawbs have always been known for since their inception in the late 1960`s. The tracks are so well selected that one not acquainted with the band`s acoustic rythmn guitar based folky style ( which acquired a bit more of a harder edge on the Grave New World album with inclusion of heavier keyboards particularily the use of the mellotron ) could even mistake this for a concept album, a tribute to the band`s consistency during these golden years. Unbeknownst to many younger prog fans Rick Wakeman was an early member of The Strawbs and an alternative version of Where is the Dream of Your Youth can be heard at the conclusion of side two which features some of his early Hammond solos.

After listening to everything from Krautrock to Gentle Giant in the early seventies this was the first album from The Strawbs that I purchased out of sheer curiosity. I still throw it on my ancient Micro -Seiki turntable when I need that immediate Strawbs fix as it contains simply the best of the band from the early seventies without one mediocre track. A timeless classic.