DEEP CUTS

A nice, if not outstanding collection of songs by the once very promising folk proggers The Strawbs. The band had started their commercial turn by the Nomadness. That album was a major disappointment, since it came on the heels of Strawb´s best, the magnificent Ghosts. Deep Cuts divided fans: the ones who liked their more acoustic, simple, folky side liked. The ones who were expecting a more progressive approach were not amused by the short, easy listening stuff. I guess I was in the middle of this. I´ve always liked Dave Cousin´s singing style from the very beginning, when they were not prog at all So Deep Cuts was a valid affair, even if I too considered the new (?) musical direction a step backward.

After all, the album is very well done and have some fine tunes on it. But it is far from progressive. The lack of a permanent keyboards player is no coincidence: the band would now rely more on guitars (mostly acoustic) and simple, basic songwriting. The arrangements are vey well done, but has nothing to do with the grandiose affairs of Grave New World or Hero & Heroine. If you´re looking for anything more complex or intricated I suggest you look for Strawbs aforementioned, early to mid 70´s, output. Deep Cuts was done at a transitional time in rock music and it has its charm, specially if you put it in that period´s context. But really is a minor work by this great band. Personally I´d give 3 stars, but since this is a progressive site, 2,5 stars would be more fitting.