Updated: 16 Nov 2006
Part 1 - Montclair, NJ (6 Oct) to The Strand, Lakewood, NJ, (20 Oct)
Part 2 - Joe's Pub, Manhattan, NY (21 Oct) to Night Eagle, Oxford, NY (5 Nov)
Lay Down
Tears And Pavan
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Oh How She Changed
Ghosts
New World
Cold Steel
Autumn
Hero & Heroine
Midnight Sun
JOE'S PUB, NEW YORK, 21 OCT 2006
New York, wow we were in New York, we couldn't believe it and it was SMASHING, (I love that word), but what made it even more SMASHING was we were seeing the Strawbs in New York. Gosh, Goodness, Golly, WOW.
Joe’s Pub is not a pub in the UK sense of the word, but a bar and a really unusual bar – it reminded me of the sort of alternative places that appeared in 60’s and 70’s movies when an “out of the box” venue was needed for bar scenes - (Midnight Cowboy and the Kit Kat Club in Cabaret spring to mind – thanks to Justine at Abingdon Guest House for the reminder of the Kit Kat Club). The walls to the back and right of the stage were made of foam, and the coffee tables by the big squishy velvet couches were yellow and black light boxes – in the words of Sally Bowles – “Most Strange and Most Unusual”.
The chaps came on to rapturous applause – if Hughie Green’s “Clapometer” had been used, a score of at least a hundred would have registered & ‘I mean that most sincerely folks’! The NY crowd were enthusiastic and willing to show their appreciation, which was always very friendly and I think played a very large role in adding a positive atmosphere to a fabulous set of gigs. The chaps started the first set with "Lay Down", which is one of my favourites, (there is a live version out there, where Dave C’s enthusiasm and enjoyment, is emphasised by him shouting “come on” three times in quick succession – makes me love that song even more). It was as if someone had announced the date of the Harrods January Sale, the mood in the venue was raised higher, by each number. The beginning of the evening was the best and it just got better.
Our table was not the best in the room, (stage left, just behind Chas – possibility behind Dave C might have been worst – whoops, well you know what I mean, at least we could see Dave C). Oh how they change – always for the better. To my untrained ears, each number was played to perfection; the set list was my favourite, (until the next set which was my favourite). All I can do is gush and coo.
As I hope you can tell, the evening was OptoSmashing. The gigs were a bonus, then along came another bonus at the end of the gigs, in that we got an opportunity to chat to the US Witchwooders and Fans – hello to all that we spoke to and hello to all those we didn’t. And just as we thought it was all over a further bonus was added in that the Chaps came out to chat to everyone, and took time out to say hello to us too.
The evening was a delicious cake with icing, candy decorations and more. Thank you to all of the US Strawbs Fans for making us feel so welcome and allowing us to experience good ole’ US friendliness to the max. It is good to be able to put faces to names and personalities to faces. And of course, thank you to Team Strawbs, (along with Neil, your fans and Manhattan Islanders), for making our trip better than we could have ever imagined.
Photo by Pete Bradley - more pics from Pete.
To celebrate the fact that I am about to hit one of those major birthday milestones (I won’t say which one, but the Queen Mother was supposed to be a stunner back then), and to celebrate the fact that Calli and I have now been together now for 25 years, we decided that we needed to do something out of the ordinary, so a weekend in the US of A, to see the Strawbs, fitted the bill perfectly.
We arrived in Newark, on the Thursday, and took a supershuttle direct to our guest house. We had intended to “discover America” in the words of the song by counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, but our attention was diverted by Zorro, a cross between a Chihuahua and a Jack Russell, who shared our shuttle. He was rescued after the Levy break in New Orleans, and now lived in San Francisco, but had just flown the five hour trip to visit his new owner’s father. If that dog could hold a pen, what a book he could write. Think you’ll agree that meeting him was a much better way of finding America than spotting any gabardine raincoat spies.
A day to get over the jet lag, and then on to Joe’s Pub for the purpose of our trip.
The walls behind the stage are covered in sound absorbent material, in order to prevent sound reflecting off the wall and interfering with the sound from the band. However, the venue is built directly over a subway, so quite frequently you could hear trains rumbling by underneath. If I had had that much anechoic foam, I would have buried it under the floor boards, rather than pasting it all over the walls. Luckily, the train rumble was fairly quiet, and grew less frequent as the evening progressed, and so didn’t really detract from the music at all.
The stage at Joe’s pub is curved, with small semi-circular tables squashed up all alone the edge. We had bought our tickets way back, long before the dates were confirmed on Strawbsweb, and had seat numbers 1 and 2, which sounded pretty good on paper, but, although they were front row seats, they were so far over, we were almost behind the band, so for the first set we had a pretty good view of Chas’s back, and not much else.
For the second set we moved round, so got a much better view.
I must say though, that I was a bit worried at how close the tables were to the stage. There were drinks on a nearby table that were perched precariously close to the mains extension lead, in-line step up transformer, and conversion socket that Chas was using to plug his equipment in. We decided that “accidentally” spilling alcohol over mains plugs might have been a Joe’s Pub ploy to get rid of the less popular bands.
Not just one Strawbs concert, but two!. One after the other. How fantastic is that?
Because they knew that there would be several people who would see both sets, the guys made sure that the two shows were different. Yes there were some songs that they had to do twice, but whenever they did repeat a song, DC somehow managed to come up with a different introduction.
The boys played perfectly, throughout, and the sound quality and balance was excellent.
During the first set, there were some very vociferous members of the audience, cheering wildly at each crescendo, or guitar riff, and clapping loudly in time with the music. To our “stiff upper lipped British ears”, (please excuse the mixed metaphor), this seemed a bit strange, but we realised that this reaction was due to the fact that the audience really adored the music and the band. They were just a bit more exuberant than we are used to.
It was lovely to meet up with so many likeminded fans on the other side of the pond. Particularly Judi and Lisa. Do hope that we can meet Lisa again in the summer, if she comes over here. A real shame that there weren’t more Witchwooders there, but I guess we will have to meet up with them at some future date.
We were really pleased that the band were glad to see us. Live in fear that they are going to start thinking that we are stalking them.
After the two Strawbs concerts, Joe’s Pub were staging yet another event, so they were keen to clear us all out, to make way for the next lot, but DC managed to persuade the bar to allow them, and the Witchwooder’s to stay on for another quarter of an hour or so, so we got more of a chance to chat. None of us could stay too long, as the bar wanted the space, we had to get some sleep, as we were returning to the UK the next day, and the boys had to leave as they had another concert in Saratoga the next day.
Photo by Jason (Barbara Stewart's friend) - more pics from Jason.
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Oh! How She Changed
Midnight Sun
Two Weeks Last Summer
Ghosts
New World
The Flower And The Young Man
Cold Steel
Shine On Silver Sun
The Battle
Autumn
Lay Down
Hero And Heroine
CAFFE LENA, SARATOGA SPRINGS, 22 OCT 2006
Caffe Lena is a lovely place where we saw the Acoustic Strawbs for the first time few years ago. A quite pleasant venue fully dedicated to folk music.
Acoustic Strawbs love to play there. And last night, it was evident.
Despite the fact they were playing for many nights in a row, they played an extensive and very enjoyable set of delightful classic songs mixed with new exciting additions.
With the inspiring and convincing way they played, we can only be looking forward to see them again… and again.
Photos by Alain Beaudreault.
As fans of the Strawbs know well, over the years they have taken us down a musical journey as they stylistically evolved from a band heavily influenced by blue-grass and folk music of the 60’s in their early albums to the gothic progressive rock icons in such albums as Hero And Heroine and Ghosts. In many ways, the evolution has come full circle in recent years with the acoustic sets, but not completely as the "Electric" band is still performing in the UK (and likely in Canada and the US this Summer).
Last Sunday, those of us fortunate enough to be present at Café Lena in Saratoga Springs were able to relive this journey as the band returned to older songs (three from the Strawbs first album, and one that dates back to their sessions with Sandy Denny). However, those who became fans during the later days were not left behind as many tracks were included from Hero And Heroine, Ghosts, Deep Cuts and the recently released Deja Fou.
For those of us who have been to many concerts the addition of some of the older material; "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" and "The Battle" (both from "Strawbs") and "Two Weeks Last Summer" (originally recorded with Sandy Denny and later on Dave Cousins’ solo album of the same name) were highlights of the show, not because they were better than other songs but rather because they hadn’t been performed in recent years (if ever) in the U.S. Yet even with the old songs, the band shows a versatility as the arrangement for "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" is very different from the early album.
<Shameless Plug for the Boxed Set> The timing of including these old songs is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the release of the 4 CD Boxed Set, A Taste of Strawbs, currently due out on November 13. The Box Set contains alternative versions of most Strawbs songs we all know and love and is sure to fill the Christmas stockings of all the good little Witchwooders (if there is such a thing as a 'good' Witchwooder) and other Strawbs fans everywhere </Shameless Plug for the Box Set>
The concert itself was simply fantastic, and was attended by many long-time fans of the group, from all over the East, and as far away as Florida!! It was great seeing you all there.
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Oh How She Changed
Ghosts
Midnight Sun
Two Weeks Last Summer
New World
Cold Steel
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Lay Down
Hero And Heroine
THE ARK, ANN ARBOR, 26 OCT 2006
The Acoustic Strawbs played a rousing 1 hour 25 minute show, before a small, yet wildly enthusiastic Michigan audience. The band opened with a lovely, if somewhat restrained, version of "Benedictus". "Tears and Pavan" featured some beautifully intricate guitar play [Dave Lambert was in top form throughout the show !]. Crowd favorites included "Ghosts", "New World" and the encore, "Hero and Heroine". The band also played "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", a song which I've never heard them play live before. After the show, Dave, Dave and Chas generously spent time chatting with their fans and signing autographs. All in all, it was a memorable night of music!
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Oh, How She Changed
Midnight Sun
Two Weeks Last Summer
Ghosts
New World
The Flower and the Young Man
Cold Steel
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Lay Down
Hero and Heroine
THE WINCHESTER, CLEVELAND, 27 OCT 2006
A cold, rainy Friday made the 3 hour drive from Columbus to Cleveland tedious, but this late October evening saw the return of the Strawbs to Ohio with a glorious set of songs, old and new. Autumn 2006 found them in excellent spirit and exquisite musicianship. Dave Cousins was in rare form, entertaining the packed crowd with humorous and enlightening anecdotes. He also introduced two phrases during the course of these tales that I shall be using in the future: “Grumpy Pumpy” and “Bucket and Chuck it.” The enthusiastic audience reveled in each and every song, and was on its feet stomping, whistling and clapping for a second encore when the house lights came up and the manager announced that the Strawbs were done playing for the night. However, with the announcement of an electric tour for 2007, and with the taste of Strawbs still fresh in our hearts and ears, the long, rainy drive home to Columbus was joyous.
Photo by Robert Rearick - more pics from Robert.
The Winchester: I arrived early and enjoyed (shameless plug) the buffet catered by Angelo's Pizza. It became apparent that though this was not a sell out it was a decent crowd. Our heroes appeared quite relaxed before adjourning to the tiny dressing room. The Acoustic Strawbs opened a capella with both choruses of "Benedictus". I really can't say enough about how good these gentlemen are in concert. The harmonic blend of voice and instrument had me beaming from ear to ear for the entire show. All bliss and harmonosity, unprecedented clarity and virtuosity. The material was like having a visit with familiar old friends though I must say the acoustic versions of some of them seems to have more emotional power than the electric. (That does not mean I won't be there at the Winchester next year for the Electric Strawbs). Apologies to all that I was enjoying myself too much to keep track of the set list though my recollection would be that it was the same as the Oct. 22 performance reviewed previously.Unfortunately I could not stay and chat as my ride had to leave.
Photo by Michael Lippus - more pics from Michael.
It was a cold, rainy Friday night in Cleveland, Ohio, perfect for a couple of hours with the Strawbs. This is the fourth time they have come to the Winchester, a small bar and club on the edge of Cleveland, 3 times acoustic and once electric and is was nice to hear we might get another electric show next year. The setlist is just as has been posted on the prior shows, opening with "Benedictus", closing with "Lay Down" and encoring with "Hero and Heroine". I think the crowd has gotten a little smaller with each visit, but it was still quite enthusiastic throughout.
I always love "Simple Visions" and hope it stays in the show, though Dave almost had a hernia hitting that last note, little rocky but he made it. His voice to me seemed a little rougher tonight on the harder material. I think I prefer the softer stuff when he has that deep tone or when he is just audible. "Two Weeks Last Summer" was especially nice to hear, since I only have the album version of this and haven’t played it for years. Dave’s stories were new except for the "Ghosts" lead in I think and he did get a few smiles out of us. Having seen them, several times now I appreciate the changes in the intros, though I would like the patter to feel a little more spontaneous. I am interested in what the road is like now for these guys and their “roadie” , driving all day, playing, sleeping in hotels or homes or whatever they do. It always seems like a tough go, since the resources are likely slim and the schedule is pretty gruelling.
Highlights for me were “Oh How She Changed”, which I could hear several times over, Two Weeks, and Autumn is always lovely and welcome. The guitar interplay among the 3 guys is wonderful to watch. I don’t think we got "The Battle", though my memory is never the best for setlists. At the encore, calls for "Lemon Pie" and "Don’t Try To Change Me" were not honored in favor of the scheduled "Hero And Heroine". Dave L is amazing on this and had the crowd on it’s feet. All in all, another wonderful evening with the Strawbs.
PRIVATE PARTY, WEST CALDWELL, 28 OCT 2006
Tasty CoCo's proved to be the most intimate of settings for the diehard Witchwooders in attendance. Amanda was the hostess with the mostest providing a welcome to everyone who attended along with a Strawberry candle and a Strawberry ice cube tray as mementos of the occasion.
John Ford opened the show at 8:00 with his usual high energy style. His son John Jr. and his bass player provided able accompaniment. Then the acoustic Strawbs took stage and took us all on a journey through the years.
The quality of the sound was amazing. I closed my eyes and every nuance of the music came through crystal clear. It sounded like I was in my living room. I think it had something to do with the size and shape of the coffee house. In all my life having attended hundreds of concerts and being an audiophile I have never heard music so pure. The only glitch was when Chas's base petal stared to hum towards the end of the set. After the set though the problem was fixed.
Granted Dave Cousins was a bit under the weather but he never let on. He is the ultimate trooper having just come from Cleveland on an eight hour bus drive. Since it was a coffee house no alcohol was available. The cakes and pies were all of the highest quality and everyone enjoyed them. I thought I saw the Strawbs manager walk by outside and around the back with a package the size and shape of which closely resembled and indicated that the other Strawbs would be provided their beverages of choice.
John Hawken was in attendance and when the Strawbs began playing "Hero and Heroine" I turned to Judi and said "Where is John when we need him"? He did come up on the stage later for "Autumn" and it was sublime. As most of the Witchwooders know you will never hear "Part of the Union" played despite many calls from the audience, since it is not a Cousins song. This night was the exception though since John Ford was there. They did a rousing rendition of it which included John Hawken on piano.
After the Strawbs set and an intermission they came out and performed solo. Dave Cousins did one from Two Weeks Last Summer. Dave Lambert did an unbelievable rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" which made me forget about Jimmy Page. It was clear at this point that Dave Cousins was spent so John Ford gamely took over and concluded the show with another set. The songs included a couple of Beatle tunes 'If I needed Someone" and "Hide your love away" and his song "Nice Legs shame about the Face". He also sang "New World" with it's author in the audience. After performing a few songs John turned to the audience and asked for requests. His wife also chimed in and suggested a few songs having all of his CD's in front of her.
The show ended at 12:00 AM and I guarantee there was no one in attendance who will ever forget this night. It was truly one for the ages!
Photo by Cinnie Morgan - more pics from Cinnie.
We invited The Strawbs into our living room, and they came. Two Daves and a Chas, and then two Johns (or perhaps three, counting John Ford, Jr.). And we came, Witchwooders and friends, even a Witchwidow or Witchwidower or two, from as far as 100 miles in every direction. A night at Tasty CoCo, in Caldwell, northern New Jersey.
The room was not merely "intimate," it was miniscule. Any smaller, and we would have been sitting on stage with them. But this was more than a show -- it was an event, carefully planned by Amanda Baughn, whom you would never suspect is one of the youngest people in the 'wood. No detail was overlooked. Each ticket holder received an ice cube tray that will produce strawberry shaped cubes, and a strawberry scented candle. There was even a strawberry teapot door prize.
The venue was "dry," as in non-alcoholic. We didn't find out until it was all over that we could have brought our own, and it seemed odd to see the Strawbs, et al, on stage, drinking water. Certainly, in the nearly 35 years that I've been going to Strawbs shows, I have never seen it.
John Ford took the stage first and warmed the crowd nicely. There's no doubt about it -- John rocks! We were prepared to see him as an opening act, and it was really nice to see father and son working together. My dad, also a professional musician, would have killed himself, before he would have shared a spotlight with anyone in my family. But John, Jr., if he was at all uncomfortable, didn't show it, and it was a great, professional set. And then John Hawken joined in, and it was a party, to be sure.
The Strawbs took the stage shortly after John's set, but there was trouble in paradise. Chas was clearly having difficulties, and there was something missing from the sound: no pedals. Amazingly, had you never heard the Strawbs before, you might not have noticed what I detected as a "thinness" in the sound. But what was lost to weariness (they'd just driven from Cleveland to Caldwell -- about a 10 hour drive) and technical problems, they made up for in "heart."
It was a different set. Not the same as the ProgHouse, or the Strand, or either Tin Angel show -- the ones I attended -- for obvious reasons. They knew we'd all been to one or more shows along the way, or perhaps were going to go to one in the next few days. Still, they know they will never go wrong opening with "Lay Down." Dave C. abandoned his usual (and never tiresome) jokes and banter for a more conversational approach, and it was like sitting at home on a chilly autumn evening with old friends.
There were no real surprises within the set, but as the evening progressed, John Hawken joined them. It was pretty obvious the moment one walked into Tasty CoCo, because there were keyboards off to the side, and we know that John lives in New Jersey. So, if it wasn't a surprise, it was certainly a pleasure. And, it filled the gap left by the missing pedals. Sadly, the stage was so tiny that from my vantage point -- and every seat was a good seat -- he was completely invisible behind Dave L.
Four Strawbs in a small room, a store-bought fireplace replicating a real one off to the side, coffee and the like, and cheesecake to die for…it doesn't get any better than this, I thought. Until John Ford joined in. Talk about a legal high! I'm surprised the room, itself, didn't just levitate! "Part Of The Union", indeed! On that night, we were ALL part of a union.
Dave C. did a one solo song , which I believe was an old music hall piece. Dave L. soloed with "Stairway to Heaven" -- something that's not so easy to pull off well on an acoustic guitar, but we love it every (rare) time. And here's a thought: the human brain cannot process an image that is less than a tenth of a second long. Next time you see them, watch Dave L's right hand.
As much as we clapped our hands numb and hooted and yelled, there was no encore. The Strawbs were depleted. But John Ford did come back, solo, to calm the masses and thus avoid a potential refusal to vacate the premises. And we appreciated it.
Was it the best I've ever seen them? Not at all, though there were moments of brilliance. Did it matter? Not even a little. Did it exude that elusive "Strawbs magic"? Yes, but in a different sort of way, because it was the entire package that was magical. It was a singularly special occasion.
The entire show lasted about 4 ½ hours -- maybe more -- and you can't ask for more than that. Even members of the audience were exhausted by the end. For me, the high point was definitely "Part Of The Union", which we rarely get to hear live.
Finally, consider what this show was: Acoustic Strawbs, plus. Just marginally acoustic. Three middle-aged guys with guitars. "Acoustic trio" conjures up images of the '60s folk era. But this was -- as it always is -- power playing. This is not your big sister's (or father's, or whomever…) plink, plink, "Kumbaya, my lord…" The may call themselves Acoustic Strawbs to differentiate from the five man electric band, but I wouldn't want to be in an average electric band sharing a bill with them. At Tasty CoCo, as always, the Acoustic Strawbs were definitely switched on. And they can play in my living room anytime. In fact, they do… all the time.
Photo by Steve Siemsen - more pics from Steve.
Every once in awhile we're treated to a Strawbs gig that soars beyond the usual and into the realm of Strawbs history. Thanks to the lovely Amanda--one of the youngest Strawbs fans on Witchwood--we experienced such an event on October 28th.
While I don't have the full story of how Amanda booked the band for her soiree, I can only assume that she siezed the opportunity at the very moment their originally-scheduled show at the School of Rock was cancelled.
The show took place at Tasty Coco, a cozy coffee and desert shop in West Caldwell, NJ. As fans entered, they were presented with two gifts: An ice cube tray for strawberry-shaped cubes and a strawberry scented votive candle. Each table had a small bowl of strawberry flavored malted milk balls and a framed Strawbs poster adorned one of the walls.
The show kicked off with John Ford admitting to the audience that some said that he should stay away from cover songs so on this night, he'd concentrate primarily on his own material. Accompanied by a bass player and his son John, Ford did songs from his solo albums as well as "Witchwood" and "Heavy Disguise". To my disappointment, he didn't do "Ready to Roll" or "Whatever Happened to Christmas". What was missing, however, was more than compensated for by a stellar preformance of "Werewolves of London" (in honor of Halloween) with Hawken accompanying Ford on keyboards!
Strawbs took the stage after Ford and began the set with "Lay Down". It should be said at this point that people had said that Dave Cousins was pretty ill that night and, I'll admit, that his voice wasn't it's best at the beginning. In fact, it sounded mostly like Lambert throughout much of "Lay Down". That didn't last long. I'm not sure if Cousins felt better as the show progressed or if some kind of natural adreneline kicked in but suddenly his voice became as strong and rich as I'd ever heard it. Yes, his performance was a joy to behold but it demonstrated something even greater to me: The man is a consummate professional. Any other artist would have chucked the entire performance but not Dave. He rose above his illness and turned in a performance that didn't even hint at him being less than 100%.
The band did a set similar to that they've been performing with the exception of "The Battle". For "Autumn" and "Cold Steel", John Hawken joined them on keyboards, bringing a richness to both songs (ESPECIALLY "Cold Steel"!) that sent chills through all of us (quite an accomplishment since the place was so hot!).
After the regular set, Dave Cousins performed a solo of what was maybe a traditional song about staying away from drink and he was followed by Lambert who did a mind-blowing Stairway to Heaven, coaxing the full sound of the original out of his one acoustic guitar. Did I say mind blowing??
The evening wasn't over yet. We were now treated to the closest we'll ever come to an electric band performance until this summer with Hawken and Ford joining AS for a couple of tunes, including a rousing "Part of the Union".
We hated to see it end...so it didn't! While Strawbs were pretty tired, and I'm sure Cousins' illness played a role in that, Ford wasn't. He came back on and did a bunch of songs--covers and originals--to end the evening on a great note.
A terrific night and a terrific job by Amanda putting it all together!
IRON HORSE MUSIC HALL, NORTHAMPTON, 31 OCT 2006
Has it really been a year since my review of the Acoustic trio's last visit to Northampton's venerable Iron Horse Music Hall? Certainly, Messrs. Cousins, Cronk & Lambert's performance showed no deleterious evidence of yet another year past, enthralling the small (70?) but adoring and enthusiastic audience with a choice sampling of Strawbs ranging from their first single to Deja Fou ("Cold Steel" seems to just get better and better, and was a real crowd-pleaser!) I chatted with "Lamby" and Chas before the show, sharing with them my adoration of the recent Painted Sky release, which all members graciously signed. Everyone, including the band, seemed thrilled to be there, but I would like to share what is perhaps the most important endorsement of Strawbs' ability to captivate their audience--I sat with a couple who had never previously heard a note of their music, who afterwards told me how awestruck they were by the performance and intended to start purchasing as many releases as they could find! On a less positive, but related note...$25 per CD? Ouch! I really wanted to pick up Recollections, but will search elsewhere for a more reasonable price. Otherwise, a great way to spend Halloween night ("Ghosts" was a particular stand-out!) David C., as he did last year, promised a return visit by the electric ensemble next year; one can only hope and marvel at these masters of progressive folk-rock.
Photo by Joe D - more pics from Joe.
JOHNNY D's, SOMERVILLE, 1 NOV 2006
Photo by Joe D - more pics from Joe.
THE REDHOUSE, SYRACUSE, 2 NOV 2006
Well, their show last night at the RedHouse in Syracuse was great just like everyone said it would be. Nice intimate setting (only about 5 rows of theater-style seats), only about 40 people or so. I must admit that I had concerns and doubts about the prospect about them doing one of my all-time favorite songs live ("Autumn"). I'm sure you've all experienced hearing an artist ruin on of their own songs live, either because they can't hit the high notes, or they change the arrangement, omit harmonies, whatever. I had concerns about them doing "Autumn" with acoustic guitars because of the piano part at the beginning of "The Winter Long" segment, but their arrangement with guitars worked. The finale with 3-part harmony was sublime. I'm waiting for the day when someone "discovers" this song and uses it in a movie or something and then Dave Cousins will finally strike it rich and have a nice retirement, and we'll all get sick of hearing the song at weddings and such. On second thoughts, maybe it's best that it remain a well-kept secret among Strawbs fans! :-)
Photo by Dorie Jennings - more pics from Dorie.
Benedictus
Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
Oh How She Changed
Midnight Sun
Two Weeks Last Summer
Ghosts
New World
The Flower And The Young Man
Cold Steel
Shine On Silver Sun
Autumn
Lay Down
Hero And Heroine
TOWNE CRIER, PAWLING, 4 NOV 2006
It was a beautiful autumn day in NY, the trees in full bloom with colors made radiant by the fall sun. The air crisp..perfect STRAWBS weather. The Towne Crier is located on the east side of the Hudson River in upstate New York about 69 miles north of NY City. It sits in farmland surrounded by low mountains..gorgeous. Dave says it is one of their favorite places to play and the Towne Crier is a wonderful venue. A great menu (cajon salmon!) and an excellent tap. The acoustics are wonderful The mix from the board was perfect. This was one of the most powerful performances I've experienced yet. Dave sang with power and precision and deep emotion. The band was ON. Some of Dave's between song stories were absolutley hilarious. The gig was well attended with all tables and seats taken. It was a great night for WitchWooders. The always charming couple Bill and Bev were there. Our dear friend Jody too. Great WitchWooder Amanda and her cutie pie mom Veronica were there. Ron, Lisa and her way cool son, Taylor, also were there. The always vivacious Judy Cuervo showed up. Sadly for me she was wearing jeans ..no skirt and no wind. (sorry Judy, you put that image in my head and I'm never letting go of it!) When I walkied into the bar, Chas was sitting at the bar reading a humour book, "The Road To McCarthy".
Chas is just so cool. He is wonderfully crazy. The Strawbs played 2 sets. They opened with "Benedictus" For me the stand out performances were, "Simple Visions" and the most powerful and precise version of "Ghosts" I have heard yet. Lamby just tore it up, put it out and brought it back together. On "Cold Steel", Chas played with deep emotion, eyes closed, hands, dazzling the fret board. make no mistake, Chas is an incredible player. "The Flower and The Young Man" had Lamby playing muted guitar runs to Dave C's guitar melody. Dave Cousins finger picking technique is a glory to behold by the way. The first set closed with "Ghosts". A brief intermission then the second set opening with "New World" and closing with "Autumn". The crowd was on their feet with standing o's. The Strawbs returned with "Lay Down". Our great friend Neil was manning the booth with Lisa and I bought The Platinum edition of Heartbreak Hill. The boyz retired after the gig. Chas said to me that Dave C. was feeling a bit under the weather on this tour. Given the performance, you'd never know it. Dave, please be well. You know, the Strawbs are more important to me than ever. I know we share this sentiment. THE STRAWBS, more than ever.
Photo by Judi Cuervo - more pics from Judi.
I'd liken it to the mood a person's in right before leaving for a vacation or, maybe, the final day of an exhaustive business trip when you know it's only a short time before you'll be returning home. There's a relief and almost a giddiness when you see that light at the end of the tunnel.
That's the mood that pervaded the penultimate performance of Strawbs tour at the Towne Crier in Pawling, NY this past Saturday, a show that was as memorable for its audience banter and humorous episodes as it was for its music.
The set opened with "Benedictus" and segued into "Simple Visions". My fingers were crossed that this might be a set identical to the late show at Philadelphia's Tin Angel a million years...or at least a month...ago but, alas, no "River/Down by the Sea". "The Battle" had been scrapped as well but I'd willingly trade one "Battle" for one "Simple Visions" any time.
This was a totally unguarded Acoustic Strawbs that, while attempting to keep to the usual song intros and stories, appeared to be unable to resist throwing in ad libs and expanding on the "script." I was distracted for a second during a song intro and when my attention returned, I found myself hearing Cousins referring to Dumbo the elephant and how he cried at the end of the book. The most telling ad lib was Cousins' response to an audience member's request for "Back in the Old Routine"--"You can't imagine," he said.
At the conclusion of the show, the bar adjacent to the Towne Crier was filled with a lot of die hard fans and some converts getting CDs signed and chatting with the boys. When I entered the bar, I thought I was imagining things when I heard the distinct sound of a dulcimer and the opening strains of "Benedictus". As it turned out, someone had brought their own dulcimer (how many people do you know who OWN a dulcimer???) for Dave C to sign and I guess he couldn't resist giving a demonstration of how it's done.
One final word about the Towne Crier itself. Lovely club, fabulous food and a great atmosphere which I found sort of reminiscent of New York's old Bottom Line. Unfortunately, I'll probably not return (unless Bill and Beverly offer me that lift again--thanks guys), since getting there--particularly by public transportation--is a nightmare: home to Penn Station on the railroad; Penn Station to 42nd Street on the subway; 42nd to Grand Central on the shuttle; Grand Central to Southeast on Metro North; change at Southeast for Pawling. I expected to be in Chicago by the time I arrived.
Photo by Dennis Lazor.
When I called (rather late as it turned out) to secure my reservation for the Strawbs’ Towne Crier show, I was told that no tables were available at 6:30 and 7:00 PM. Despairing, I asked if 6:00 PM was available. Not only did I get a table, but my friend Jim and I were the first to arrive, having our pick of where to roost for the night. We settled on the table just right of the stage, within arm’s length of Dave Lambert’s seat (sneezing distance as one fan at a nearby table referred to it). We then settled in for the three hour plus wait for the show, biding our time with a pint of beer, some very nice Shiraz, and an excellent meal. Dave Cousins was seated at the bar, escaping, as we found out later, the rather chilly confines of the backstage dressing room. As he was nose deep in a novel, we left him to himself rather than intrude.
The show was excellent – one of the best I’ve seen (unfortunately, I haven’t seen as many as the typical Witchwooder). Others have already posted the set list and have done the evening justice with their comments, so here’s a few additional observations. Someone needs to figure out how to turn the propulsive power of Lambert’s playing into a fuel for the standard automobile. No war for oil, no green house gasses, no energy crisis, yet all the horsepower you could ever desire. I was amazed that as hard as he plays, and as forceful and muscular his style is, his thumb floated behind the neck of his guitar (hummingbird-like?), his hand never seeming strained. It almost appeared as if he plays by willing the strings down, the fingers just assisting with focusing his thoughts rather than pinning strings to the fret board.
Sitting so close, we felt every thump of Lambert’s leg as he emphasized the rhythm of each song, becoming a pile driver when performing his own composition, "Cold Steel". Lambert really sold the song, it was easy to tell he enjoys performing it and takes real pride in owning it, which only added additional fire to his playing and stepped up the energy in an already uptempo second set. My friend felt it was the best offering of the evening.
Chas (who was also lurking about in the bar before the show) seems more at ease and at home in the Acoustic trio. His pedal work on "Oh How She Changed" was a perfect complement to the song; though it would have been nice to have Dave Lambert pull out the bodran for some drum fills on the song. Many more harmonic touches were peppered through their songs (the interplay between Chas and Dave Lambert becoming more second-nature than the first go round), and were especially nicely done on "Oh How She Changed." Lambert’s vocal was superb, and as the first real Strawbs album has always been one of my favorites, I was really pleased this song made it into the evening’s set list.
Another from those salad days, "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus," was nicely rendered as well, the pace slower and more dramatic from the album, more of an American roots feel in the playing, the steady hammering beat substituting for that slowly growing anxious, electric guitar, background wail on the record. Dave Cousins knows how to shape a vocal to nurse just the right emotion out of each word. Each time I hear him sing, I’m further convinced he’s one of the best singer-songwriters of all time. In terms of both style and substance, few can compare.
"Midnight Sun" was also played with a sense of relish, and the slowing of the vocal on "Two Weeks Last Summer" (less rushed than on the album), left plenty of time to revel in the poetry. The first set, ending with "Ghosts" brought long and robust applause and served as a good indication as to what was coming in the second set. We here in the States were on the verge of local and national elections, so the politically-charged "New World" held additional meaning beyond even the introduction Cousins set for it, and "Autumn" was equally timely, Chas again adding fine accompaniment.
Cousins was more talkative than any time I’ve seen him. At one point, after losing himself in a rather protracted but hilarious introduction just a few songs into the evening’s performance, Cousins quizzically inquired "Now where was I?" Lambert, in mock assistance, leaned toward the mic and said "For our last song of the evening…" Cousins seemed in no hurry though, extending all his commentaries between songs, dabbling in jokes, wistfully painting reminiscences for the audience, jauntily striding down memory lane, or engaging in banter with the audience and band mates. The crowd appreciated every moment. A note on that crowd – a packed house, an appreciative at ease audience, and more women than I’m accustomed to seeing at Strawbs shows (gone are the days when the Strawbs could be viewed as a "Guy’s band", much to the benefit of all). The ubiquitous Amanda graced our table during the break (good to see you again!), and I suppose I do need to become an official Witchwooder now.
Hopefully the trip back to the UK has been uneventful, and take good care of them over there as we’re anxious to see the return of the electric Strawbs next year ("Blue Angel"? "To Be Free"? "Tomorrow"? "Little Sleepy"? "The Last Resort"?)
Photo by Dennis Lazor.