CLASSIC ROCK LEGENDS (DVD)

"Classic Rock Legends" is a DVD of Strawbs and was released in 1998. This DVD represents one more entry of the famous Classic Rock Legends DVD's series among many other entries of many great classic prog bands of the 70's.

Central music's, "Bedrock" series so-called as it was designed for the late-night viewing, was intended to be a showcase for the best of the classic British rock music. Some of the shows contained on these series were previously released on CD and video formats, usually by the artists themselves or the respective record labels associated with them. Classic Rock Legends have gathered these recordings together for a major series covering a big range of bands.

The Strawbs' concert contained in this serie was previously released on VHS format and was titled "Greatest Hits Live". It was also released on CD format, which was also called "Greatest Hits Live". It was composed of a 1990 live gig and the live concert has excellent quality. The DVD menu allows you to play the live concert all the way through, to jump to any track and also includes a bonus feature "The Rock Vault", a series of samples from other DVD's of all these series.

All titles contained in these series feature cover art work by the legendary Roger Dean, which is very interesting and excellent. According to the booklet, this show is also available on DVD and VHS formats, PAL and NTSC video formats.

The line up on "Classic Rock Legends" is Dave Cousins (vocals and acoustic guitar), Tony Hooper (vocals and acoustic guitar), Brian Willoughby (lead electric guitar), Chris Parren (keyboards), Rod Demick (bass) and Richard Hudson (drums). One of the most interesting and rare things contained on this DVD is the presence of Tony Hooper and Richard Hudson. Tony Hooper was one of the three founder members of the band. Both, Tony Hooper and Richard Hudson participated on four of the best and classic studio albums of Strawbs, "Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curious" from 1970, "From The Witchood" from 1971, "Grave New World" from 1972 and "Bursting At The Seams" from 1973.

"Classic Rock Legends" has nine tracks. "Cut Like A Diamond" was released on "Burning For You", "Something For Nothing" was released on "Don't Say Goodbye", "Ringing Down The Years" was released on "Ringing Down The Years", "The Hangman And The Papist", "Grace Darling", "The River/Down By The Sea", "Lay Down" and "Part Of The Union" were all released on "Bursting At The Seams" and "Hero & Heroine" was released on "Hero And Heroine". There aren't a lot of extras here except the performance, which is really great. The sound is very dirty, a typical TV broadcast with lots of hiss. However, it's easy to live with all the limitations and lack of extras because the performance is fantastic. We are given a graphic example of why this band and their music are greatly underrated, which is really a pity. Cousins is deep in his trances when he sings, living the lyrics, being them autobiographical or not. The songs are alive, with each band member doing their best to make ever song reach its full potential. The keyboards provide both a background wash for the atmosphere of the songs, and the orchestral furnishings. Parren looks nervous but his work is dynamic. Bass and drums are tight and rock based. Willoughby provides appropriate fireworks and cutting edges and Hooper is there to authenticate Strawbs vocal sound. Here is everything you'd expect from a full band gig of Strawbs.

About the tracks, "Cut Like A Diamond" is an excellent track, a very catchy harder rock song, one of the best tracks on "Burning For You". "Something For Nothing" and "Ringing Down The Years" aren't familiar to me. But both are two nice tracks too. The five tracks of "Bursting At The Seams" are all excellent. I always loved that album. But of all those five pieces, "The Hangman And The Papist" and "The River/Down By The Sea" stands out. Both are classics and these versions are great. "Hero & Heroine" is one of their best tracks and one of my favourites too. It closes the DVD nobly.

Conclusion: Strawbs was one of my first loves of the progressive rock music and I know them since the early 70's. Strawbs is also one of the bands that I bought more albums in those days. However and unfortunately, I never had the opportunity, the pleasure or the honour to see the band performing live. So, "Classic Rock Legends" was my first live experience of the group. I must confess that my expectations were not in vain. Despite be relatively short, it's very interesting. It's true that "Classic Rock Legends" isn't properly a document well representative of the group. Despite apparently it covers tracks from almost twenty years of their career, it isn't really true. In reality, it only covers tracks from five studio albums, of which not all are the most representative. Anyway and despite of that, I love this DVD. And if you're like me, and enjoy classic rock, you too will love this. The players you may not have all heard of, but they play great stuff. If you are a fan of Strawbs, you will enjoy it and should buy this DVD. You will not be disappointed, really.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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