Strawbs/Dave Cousins Appreciation Thread!

so what's your favorite track from each album, if you had to pick one today?

lots of common ones there Steve.  Note that "Heartbreaker" is from "Burning for you" not Deadlines.  It's possibly my second fave off Burning although that might be "Barcarole"

I thought I would add my humble opinions to this great thread. I was planning to come up with my favourite two from each album anyway - so apologies for doubling up. Take my first choice for comparison, if necessary. Very difficult to choose only two, let alone one, with the classic era. A bit easier on some later albums. I've stuck with your album choices, although various live albums, reissues and acoustic releases could be included, but perhaps another time for those.

Strawbs - The Battle/The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Dragonfly - Another Day/The Weary Song
Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios - The Antique Suite/Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth
From the Witchwood - A Glimpse of Heaven/The Hangman And The Papist
Grave New World - New World/Benedictus
Bursting at the Seams - Down By The Sea/Lay Down
Hero and Heroine - Round and Round/Autumn
Ghosts - Ghosts/Grace Darling
Nomadness - To Be Free/The Golden Salamander
Deep Cuts - Simple Visions/I Only Want My Love To Grow In You
Burning for You - Burning For Me/Heartbreaker
Deadlines - Time And Life/Words Of Wisdom
Heartbreak Hill - Heartbreak Hill/Something For Nothing
Don't Say Goodbye - Beat The Retreat/Let It Rain
Ringing Down the Years - Ringing Down The Years/Grace Darling (alternate version)
Blue Angel - There Will Come The Day/Blue Angel (although not quite as good as the original version)
Deja Fou - Under A Cloudless Sky/Here Today Gone Tomorrow
Broken Hearted Bride - The Broken Hearted Bride/Through Aphrodite's Eyes
Dancing to the Devil's Beat - Where Silent Shadows Fall/Pro Patria Suite
Ferryman's Curse - When the Spirit Moves/The Familiarity Of Old Lovers

Squonk19 wrote: I thought I would add my humble opinions to this great thread. I was planning to come up with my favourite two from each album anyway - so apologies for doubling up. Take my first choice for comparison, if necessary. Very difficult to choose only two, let alone one, with the classic era. A bit easier on some later albums. I've stuck with your album choices, although various live albums, reissues and acoustic releases could be included, but perhaps another time for those. Strawbs - The Battle/The Man Who Called Himself Jesus Dragonfly - Another Day/The Weary Song Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios - The Antique Suite/Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth From the Witchwood - A Glimpse of Heaven/The Hangman And The Papist Grave New World - New World/Benedictus Bursting at the Seams - Down By The Sea/Lay Down Hero and Heroine - Round and Round/Autumn Ghosts - Ghosts/Grace Darling Nomadness - To Be Free/The Golden Salamander Deep Cuts - Simple Visions/I Only Want My Love To Grow In You Burning for You - Burning For Me/Heartbreaker Deadlines - Time And Life/Words Of Wisdom Heartbreak Hill - Heartbreak Hill/Something For Nothing Don't Say Goodbye - Beat The Retreat/Let It Rain Ringing Down the Years - Ringing Down The Years/Grace Darling (alternate version) Blue Angel - There Will Come The Day/Blue Angel (although not quite as good as the original version) Deja Fou - Under A Cloudless Sky/Here Today Gone Tomorrow Broken Hearted Bride - The Broken Hearted Bride/Through Aphrodite's Eyes Dancing to the Devil's Beat - Where Silent Shadows Fall/Pro Patria Suite Ferryman's Curse - When the Spirit Moves/The Familiarity Of Old Lovers

Edited by kenethlevine - January 22 2018 at 18:43

I do have a soft spot for the title track off Broken Hearted Bride. It is a simple, catchy tune with, once again, some intriguing lyrics. Call to Action is another good track (and its later reprise), although the Eastern instrumental theme can dominate occasionally. It is nice to hear the occasional shorter, bouncy track as a counter-balance to the more epic songs. I Only Want My Love To Grow In You is an example of a song, clearly written to a commercial template, but which has a chorus that sticks in my head for ages. The Strawbs' diversity in style is their great strength, although ultimately that probably cost them the size of following their canon of work deserves.

Just listened their latest album first time and really have to say I liked it! It´s very warm and good-sounding! And Cousins vocals as great as always!

kenethlevine wrote: Mortte wrote: Just listened their latest album first time and really have to say I liked it! It´s very warm and good-sounding! And Cousins vocals as great as always! hope you can do a review!

Well, it will take a while, because I had to listen it many times, I just listened it once. But maybe someday, if someone else´s hadn´t still made.

^ You can't be more honest then that! Good show!

kenethlevine wrote: Mortte wrote: ^Just looked from the PA that there has made many reviews from Ferryman. I have made reviews mostly the albums that no-one else has reviewed. I am not as huge Strawbs-fan as those others who have already reviewed it, so I don´t think I have nothing new to say about it. only 3 reviews, many ratings.  But thanks for considering and being willing to give it the time to listen

Well, I hope if you have time and interest, to make a review from Absoluuttinen Nollapiste, Circle, Jambinai and Hawkwind last release. Only I have made a review from those great albums.

I'm sure it's on Strawbs' facebook page, but there's no mention yet on the Strawbs' Website of the passing of Chris Tsangarides, who produced the last 3 Strawbs studio albums, on January 6. That's not like Dave C., who is quite sensitive in regard to people passing on. Tsangarides was known as metal producer having recorded Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden, amongst many, many other hard rock and metal acts. 

Edited by SteveG - February 05 2018 at 04:23