DEEP CUTS

Shock, horror? Sorry but as controversial as this may seem Deep Cuts is one of Strawbs essential masterpieces. Certainly it moved away from progressive folk leanings and is quite definitely a more pop/rock orientated album but so what? Do we rate it any less because this is not progressive? That is an insane notion considering there are so many bands including Genesis who evolved over time and thir music remained strong. Deep Cuts is one of these albums. By now the line up was just Cousis/Lambert/Cronk and drummer Coombes. This was a solid line up that lastd a few albums. As far as the album content goes it has their most pleasing opener of all in ' I only want my Love to Grow on You'. This is a very warm love song with great guitar work from Lambert. The next song ' Turn Me Round' is lyrically very demanding not to mention a great song. Lyrics like..." My God my mediator, may you flourish in your solitude, while the storm clouds gather outside, let me paint you in my studio" Enough said, classic stuff!The epic tracks on Deep Cuts are ' The Soldiers Tale',' Beside The Rio Grande' and IMO the best Strawbs song of all time alongside ' Benedictus' from Grave New World and that is the glorious ' Simple Visions'. I cannot speak highly enough about this track. Give it a listen on a good sound system.1976 marked the end of the masterpieces from Strawbs and Deep Cuts ended that run on a bold high.