RECOLLECTION

I'm not sure where Strawbs leader Dave Cousins dug up this great sounding live artifact that was recorded at the same time as the Just Collection Of Antiques And Curios live album from 1970. This single CD is twice its length for starters and really shows off new boy Rick Wakeman much better than the Antiques And Curios album. Standout tracks include "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "The Battle", another excellent take on "The Antique Suite", and a stunning 9 minute version of "Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth". The last song featuring a 5 minute organ tour de force by Wakeman.

The band at this time was Cousins on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and lead vocals, Tony Hooper on acoustic guitar and co-lead vocals, Richard Hudson on percussion and sitar, John Ford on bass and vocals, and Wakeman on organ, grand piano, harpsichord and celeste.

Wakeman is, of course, stellar on organ and piano. Something that faded into the background with his future synth and mellotron workouts with Yes, whom he joined shorty after recording with the Strawbs on the From The Witchwood album, which followed the aforementioned Antiques And Curios album. 4 stars.

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