Released at first as a 2-cassette set, under the auspices of US folk mag, Dirty Linen, Road Goes On Forever picked up the CD rights to this incredibly rich selection of mid to late 60s recordings which has continued to sell strongly since its release.
The songs include a range of demos of Strawbs classics from the Sandy Denny period and the first two A&M albums (pretty much the whole of Strawbs is represented, including a few which were rejected from the initial version, such as "Just The Same In Every Way" and are only otherwise released on the ultra-rare Strawberry Sampler). There are also some pickings from the Strawberry Hill Boys' bluegrass/traditional folk antecedents and a few unreleased Cousins originals from the "story-song" model exemplified by "Poor Jimmy Wilson".
A few surprises lurk: an accompanied version of "October To May" from Two Weeks Last Summer; an early treatment of "Absent Friends" from Nomadness hiding under the title "How I Need You", and "Why" which was the b-side to the "Hero And Heroine" single and was folded into a lengthy 3-part epic "Why And Wherefore" recorded during those sessions. The ultimate hidden surprise is a track unlisted on either cassette or CD - "Bitter Sunshine".
Cousins' extensive sleeve notes are a mine of useful and amusing information. The collection - deservedly - was nominated for an award.
The track listing on the double cassette includes a few errors - the CD track listing is set out here.
Not released on vinyl.
original 2 Cassette pack (US only): DL101 (Dirty Linen). White vinyl 2 cassette pack, with white liner card with "playing card queen" design.
2CD: RGF DCD 003 (Road Goes On Forever, 2CD, 1991). Front cover shows jam jar with playing card queen label (different to Dirty Linen graphic). NB. label says "Uncanned Preserves". Photo of c. 1968 Dave Cousins on back. Booklet front cover is photo of Dave playing banjo in the open air (near Richmond according to Tony Hooper) and the back cover is an early photo of Hooper, Cousins and Chesterman. The CD booklet contains extensive notes from Dave Cousins interview with John Tobler, with information about each track - see Sleve notes below.
2 cassette: RGF DMC 003 (Road Goes On Forever, 2-cassette, 1991). Front cover jam jar as CD. Photo of c. 1968 Dave Cousins on back. the first cassette liner has the early photo of Hooper, Cousins and Chesterman, inside there's a track listing and (bizarrely) the penpoint sketch of Cousins c. 1976, by Rod Green from Old School Sings. The second cassette has the tracklist, the advert for Jamming and Dave Cousins autograph (again from Old School Songs). Purchasers of the cassette miss out on the excellent full track by track sleeve notes from Dave Cousins, which are reproduced below.
Originally released by Dirty Linen U S A
Produced by Bill Martin & Paul Hartman
Sleeve design
Cover Photo Steve O'Connell
Other photos from Dave Cousins collection
Other information
Includes the statement:
You are holding in your hands a little bit of History – Recordings made in 1968 by the Strawberry Hill Boys not so long before becoming the Strawbs, a band that is still making great music into the 1990's.
Special thanks to Simon Hart, John Tobler, Dave Hatfield, Steve Hoooker, Julian Phillips, John Garrad
The Road goes on forever address is given as Unit B, 9D Park Road, Crouch End London N8 8TD
The sleeve also contains information stating that news of Strawbs & Related matters read "Jamming" which is highly recommended, SAE to 18, Orchard Grove, Upper Stratton, Swindon , Wilts. SN2 6QR. England [ Please note this should no longer be used and for all information please now refer to Strawbsweb ]
& copy 1990 Strawberry Hill Productions
& copy 1990 Dirty Linen, Ltd
Dirty Linen, PO Box 66600, Baltimore, MD 21239
Cover art by Floyd Runkle
Click on the thumbnail to see full size version
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