Strawbs/Dave Cousins Appreciation Thread!

kenethlevine wrote:   As for albums, there may be more and who knows who will be on them

Perhaps Tony Hooper and Ron Chesterman via seance. 

Nice review on the new Strawbs Ken. I think we are both a little more receptive to the album given Dave Cousins' health issues but that didn't detract from the truth. Perhaps just the way that truth was delivered. I recall reading in a Louder Sound article, and I paraphrase, Cousins said that both Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk were invited to play on one song (Down By The Sea) at the Strawbs' farewell concert at Cropredy this year. Both declined. As for Tony Fernandez, Cousins said that he was mad about his drum tracks not being fully utilized for the Settlement album and Dave took that as quitting the band. I think that these statements from Dave add  more to the confusion than detract from it. Until we hear from Lambert, Cronk and Fernandez, I don't think that we will get the full story. But given Dave's illness they might just let it go.

Edited by SteveG - September 28 2023 at 06:13

Thought I would bump this up and ask what is your assessment of "The Magic of it all" now that it's been out a few months and things have quieted down amongst the fan base about how certain long time recent members were excluded from the album and the farewell concert.  But any discussion is fair game.

I am going to add something possibly a bit controversial to this thread.  In this same section of the forum, there is a discussion about Procol Harum, with the OP concerned that they are undervalued as a prog group.  From the responses you can see that many do value them and their contributions.  I think what is postulated there could easily be applied to Strawbs in this age of prog overload.  Many newer prog fans and older ones always thirsting for the more esoteric no longer or have never had much time for Strawbs, since one could argue they are not big P progressive.  Some of these people no doubt respect their contributions, but I think some really uhdervalue them.  Luckily they have many fans outside of the prog spectrum which has helped keep them going to this day

Hi Steve.  Hope you are well in the holiday season

Thanks Edouardo and Nickie.  I agree with your insights.  All the songs up to and including "Chorale" form a unit like no album since Ghosts IMO.  While I think Ferryman's Curse had a few songs that are better than anything on Settlement, it has a few that mess up the momentum a bit, especially Dave Lambert's contribution.  While the title track to that album is a riveting story, I don't care for it musically apart from the creepy intro piece.

Jumping on the bump, I have to say that Settlement in its basic form, without any bonuses, seems to me as brief & juicy as their old LPs used to be. Sad to hear about Dave's illness.

Squonk19 wrote: SteveG wrote: Squonk19 wrote: Played the 'Full Bloom' CD (2004) the other day. A gift sent to me from a fellow Strawbs/BBT fan last year when I saw Acoustic Strawbs near Newcastle. Great sound production and a quality selection as well. You lucky SOB! That CD is their best acoustic set and went out of print a few weeks after it was released. Hard to find, it lists for about 150 pounds used on various seller sites. The CD was only a copy - but if you haven't got an MP3 version I'd see if I can pass the music files onto you (I imagine you probably have, Steve)

Yes, I do but thanks. I saw the word CD in your post and saw $$$ signs. Sorry mate. 

Edited by SteveG - February 22 2020 at 09:38

Another thing I love about the Strawbs is the lyric writing!!  

Luv en! Great folk band. I've got 4 or 5 albums on vinyl and realise that I don't listen to them half as much as I would like to.