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ACOUSTIC STRAWBS - US TOUR
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006

Updated: 24 Oct 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)

Contents
Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ - Fri 6 Oct 2006
NJ Proghouse, Metuchen, NJ - Sat 7 Oct 2006
University Cafe, Stony Brook, NY (1.00pm) - Sun 8 Oct 2006
  • A Great Time Had By All - Comments from Jill Morrison
  • Setlist
  • Gravity Lounge, Charlottesville, VA - Wed 11 Oct 2006
  • An Absolute Delight To The Ears - Review from Dave
  • Setlist
  • The Purple Fiddle, Thomas, WV - Thu 12 Oct 2006
    Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA - Fri 13 Oct 2006
  • A Most Enthusiastic Audience - Review from Amanda Baughn
  • A Night Of Pure Magic - Comments from Dave Scheur
  • Setlist
  • Bodles Opera House, Chester, NY - Sat 14 Oct 2006
  • Hey it's been a long time ... - Review from Bob Polchinski
  • The Mix Was Perfect - Review from Ken/NY
  • An Unforgettable Evening Of Music - Comments from Gene Focarelli
  • Setlist
  • The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA - 2 shows - Sun 15 Oct 2006
  • What A Great Show! - Review and pix from Michael Perez
  • This Was The Band At Its Best - Review and pix from Judi Cuervo
  • Setlist (2nd show)
  • Bop Shop Concert Series At Milestones, Rochester, NY - Tue 17 Oct 2006
    Kroghs, Sparta, NJ - Wed 18 Oct 2006
    Baldwin's Station, Sykesville, MD - Thu 19 Oct 2006
  • Another Great Night With The Strawbs - Review from Dave
  • Setlist
  • The Strand, Lakewood, NJ - Fri 20 Oct 2006
  • Pics from Rick Sarlo

  • Setlist from Jill Morrison

    Lay Down
    Tears and Pavan
    Oh How She Changed
    The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
    Ghosts
    The Battle
    The Flower And The Young Man

    Midnight Sun
    New World
    Cold Steel
    Shine On Silver Sun
    Autumn
    Hero And Heroine

    A Glimpse of Heaven

    UNIVERSITY CAFE, STONY BROOK, 8 OCT 2006

    A GREAT TIME HAD BY ALL - Comments from Jill Morrison

    I plan to do a proper review on the University Cafe last Sunday afternoon - but, I've been quite busy! For now I can say, the venue was filled with a majority of unfamiliar faces to me (save for a few I knew), but, attentive Strawbs fans, nonetheless. It was a wonderful day and great weather and the Daves, Chas and Tour Manager Neil all looking quite happy, fresh and relaxed. The Acoustic Strawbs in fine form performed in front of a regal red velvet draped sound two sets - setlist (hopefully in correct order ). John Ford and son were there and a great time had by all!



    Setlist

    Lay Down
    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
    Hero And Heroine

    The Golden Salamander

    GRAVITY LOUNGE, CHARLOTTESVILLE, 11 OCT 2006

    AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT TO THE EARS - Review from Dave

    It was a fairly small crowd of about 35-40 people but they were loud and appreciative of the artists.

    The opening singer was Debbie Hunter. She appeared solo this year to entertain everyone. Last year she and her band started the show. She has a 'Maddy Prior' type of voice that really set the stage for the Strawbs. She sang 8 songs, but her best was the last; one she wrote as a birthday present for her husband called "Another Song". I wish she would record that. It would be worth buying.

    I am always curious what beers Neil sets up on the stage for the gentlemen prior to the concert. This show it was Sierra Nevada beer (a little trivia) although I think Chas also had Becks.

    It was a wonderful concert! They are an absolute delight to the ears. On "Ghosts", my brother-in-law sat there with his mouth open when Dave Lambert cut loose! After the show they hung around to relax and talk to their fans. I have been to other small venue concerts but rarely do the artists spend as much time after the show with those who attended. It is something that I have always appreciated about them.

    This is the third year in a row, that I managed to finagle a business trip up to Richmond, VA in order to go to the Gravity Lounge in Charlottesville, VA to hear the Strawbs. As usual, it was a trip well worth it.

    The first year I came to Charlottesville, my daughter (who lives in Richmond) came with me. She had heard my Strawbs CDs and came along to see them in person. Last year, my daughter and sister-in-law came with me to the concert. This year my sister-in-law brought her husband, and my daughter brought her fiance. I suspect, by next year, my brother and sister-in-law's three children will be in attendance...lol.

    I will be going to Baldwin's Station on the 19th to see them again. I mentioned that to Dave Cousins and he asked me if I had ever been there. I said no, and he started to laugh. He told Chas I was going to Baldwin's Station and he laughed as well. Apparently, the soundman there used to be one of the soundmen for Elvis in the 50's which makes him one of the oldest around. Dave Cousins told me it will be an interesting concert. I cannot wait.

    I asked Dave Cousins if they would ever play "Part of the Union" over here and he said that it did not have any relevence over here and probably not. I suspect I will have to drop in on one of their small venue concerts in England one day in order to hear it....lol.

    One day.....soon (I hope).


    Setlist from Amanda Baughn

    Lay Down
    Tears and Pavan
    The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
    Ghosts
    The Flower And The Young Man
    Midnight Sun
    New World
    Autumn
    Shine On Silver Sun
    The Battle
    Hero And Heroine

    A Glimpse of Heaven

    SELLERSVILLE THEATER, SELLERSVILLE, 13 OCT 2006

    A MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE - Review from Amanda Baughn

    One of the first things I noticed upon entering the theater in Sellersville was that there were no WITCHWOODERS or "regulars," as Judi says, other than myself in attendence. It was evident that it was either the first time, for many of them, seeing the guys LIVE or they hadn't seen Strawbs in quite some time. However, almost everyone there was a dedicated fan. To say they were happy to see the guys was an understatement. The audience was enthusiastic throughtout the duration of the show, and they made sure to verbalize it! Following Dave C's announcement, between songs, of an electric tour next year, I overheard a man behind me say, "I made the mistake of missing out on that the first time the guys came around in 2004.. NO WAY am I gonna miss that again!"

    There was a positive reaction to the set list and shouts of joy and sighs of awe could be heard at the start of "Ghosts," "Autumn," and "Hero and Heroine." A few of the songs presented in the set list surprised the audience. It seemed to me that the majority had never before heard "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" or "The Battle." It was clear though that they were fully enjoyed.

    During intermission and following the show there was a line at the CD table. One could barely see Neil's head amongst the crowd. They had him surrounded! Dave C, Dave L, and Chas had a similar experience while entering the lobby. Fans were lined up to greet them, take pictures, and have albums and other memorabilia signed. It's wonderful to see this, it makes me realize how deeply their music not only touches my life, but the lives of others as well.


    A NIGHT OF PURE MAGIC - Comments from from Dave Scheur

    I just saw the Acoustic Strawbs last night (Friday the 13th of October) at the Sellersville Theater in Pennsylvania. It was a night of pure magic for me. You cannot imagine how special it was to look that afternoon to see who was playing, find the Strawbs, and end up with second row seats. Who ever said that Friday the 13th was unlucky- not for me!

    I looked for years to find the Strawbs on CD, having lost my vinyl recording of Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios, the only one I was able to get my hands on back in the day. Then, a couple years ago my A&M records and bought it for me for Christmas. Now I finally, through amazing fortune, saw them in person.

    I should note that one of my dearest old friends is a man named Frank Cousins, who has always told me that he is a distant cousin of Dave's, and who I got a taped copy of Two Weeks Last Summer from back in the 70s. Frank and I are medievalists who put on armor and do knightly combat in a group called the Society for Creative Anachronism, though Frank suffers from Crohn's disease and has had a liver transplant so he no longer fights (though he is still the crotchety son-of-a-gun that he always was). I don't know if Dave knows of his distant American cousin Frank, but it has always made me feel a stronger connection to Dave and his music, music that I have loved for all these years. When Dave spoke last night of seeing castles and thinking of the battles, just prior to playing The Battle (and a wonderful job of the song, too), I immediately thought of Frank battling in his armor.

    Anyway, it was a wonderful night last night and I hope the guys continue well on their tour, and also with the electric tour in Central Asia next year. Tell them to be very careful in Afghanistan!


    Setlist from Bob Polchinski

    Lay Down
    Tears and Pavan
    The Man Who Called Himself Jesus
    Oh How She Changed
    Midnight Sun
    Two Weeks last Summer
    Ghosts

    New World
    Flower and the Young Man
    Cold Steel
    Shine on Silver Sun
    The Battle
    Autumn
    Hero and Heroine

    A Glimpse of Heaven

    BODLES OPERA HOUSE, CHESTER, 14 OCT 2006

    HEY IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME ... - Review from Bob Polchinski

    It's been about a year since the Strawbs last toured the U.S., this seemed a long time, as we had become accustomed to semi-annual visits. It was an enthusiastic audience at a nearly packed Bodles Opera House. Bodles is not actually an opera house, but rather a pub-like venue in a building that looked like it once served as a horse barn. There were a few Witchwooders in the audience, most notably Ken smartly attired in a Burning for You t-shirt.

    I won't comment too much about the majority of the set, the long-time numbers were delivered with the usual skilled craftsmanship. All were in good voice, and in fact Dave Lambert, sounded stronger this time around. I noticed a subtle change in the banjo part on "Cold Steel", with Cousins adding more embellishment to the banjo line.

    "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" was a nice addition to the set. The arrangement was different from that found on the first album with more of a contemporary sound . Lambert handled the Hooper parts on the vocals and the solo intro by Dave L was quite nice.

    "Two Weeks Last Summer" was kept true to the Cousins solo album arrangement, except that all three played counterpoint to the main guitar line in almost 3-part invention style.

    "The Battle" was a much more powerful arrangement than the original with Lambert adding harmony on lines of the song, and Chas adding punctuation with the acoustic bass. Though I usually find this song clever, but a bit long. I found this arrangement quite engaging.

    Opening act was Deni Bonet, a talented violinist/singer-songwriter who sings humor injected pop folk songs. I was very impressed with her violin playing which at times was bluesy, jazzy, and Celtic.



    Photo by Robert Clinton -
    more pics from Robert.


    THE MIX WAS PERFECT - Review from Ken/NY

    Chester is a sweet, rustic part of NY state. The beginning of NY farm land on the western side of The Hudson River. It was a beautiful, sunny but brisk Autumn day. Bodles exists on the main street of Chester overlooking farm fields.. To my surprise I thought Chester was much bigger.. it isn't. It is all of 5 blocks long with the Town only coming to life in the late afternoon. Bodles itself is my favorite place to see The Strawbs ..wood plank floors, a low ceiling..2 bars ( yeah!) and a killer sound system. As we were walking along the street, the first Strawbs I saw were Lamby and the ever friendly Neil. I shouted to Lamby, "..here for another wet tee shirt contest victory"? Once getting settled in ( great seats..center stage in front of DC) Chas came over immediately..always, always a cosmic groove. Chas expressed his deep gratitude for the CRONK-O-MATIC ( ha, ha,).

    The opening act was a duo featuring a female violinist/singer with guitarist back up singer. the sound was pop. folk with sexually charged lyrics ( song title: "Bigger IS Better") and violin licks straight from Zepplin. She left the stage and our beloved STRAWBS hit stage with gusto. The mix was perfect. Lamby is no longer playing his Washburn. He now has a beautiful Dean with elaborate inlays and blue finish with white binding on front and back. The sound is much girthier in the low end and really noticable on 5th and 6th string pull offs. The highlites for me were "Two Weeks Last Summer", "The Battle", and "Tears and Pavan".

    After the show, I gave the boyz a few gifts. There is a Buddhist monastery not far from me. I have a photo..unretouched of the icon of The Buddha in meditation over looking a woodland lake! I call it "A Glimpse of Heaven". I gave framed copies to the boyz and they really liked it. After the show, we chatted a bit about guitars and well..life. Chas gave me a fare well hug. Those attending..Neil brought along the entire Witch Wood catalog. I bought Lamby's Fire. Our great friend Lisa assured me that this will soon be out of print. The cd's were $20.00 each.

    The great news. The electric Strawbs are coming back. Yes, YES. Dave C announced that and I got woody for it immediately. I met Witchwooder, Bob from Staten Island. We met him at The White Horse when Dick was over in May. I met Ralph Milone from Poughkeepsie.. great guys, both. Plus I met a local radio personality who said he will give my own album "Northern Sky" , some airplay. I was with my two close friends John and his gem wife Lauren. Plus It was my girl friends birthday (Carol) so all in all a great, great time... ( got home about 1:45 A..M.).


    AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING OF MUSIC - Comments from Gene Focarelli

    I saw the boys play at Bodles Opera House in Chester NY,USA last night. They didn't miss a beat with their harmonies guitars and story telling; it made for an unforgettable evening of music. When Dave said that this was the last song I yelled that we would lock the door so they would have to play more but Dave said he would have to put on his magic cloak to get out.

    My favourite was "New World", amazing harmonies on "The Flower And The Young Man".

    I had a nice conversation with Dave Lambert outside the club - everyone was nice and signed my CD - The Millennum Collection. I had such an enjoyable time I didn't want it to end - the music,harmonies and the boys just being friendly, cheers to all.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk.


    Setlist from Judi Cuervo (2nd show)

    Benedictus
    Simple Visions
    New World
    Flower And the Young Man
    Golden Salamander
    Two Weeks Last Summer
    Ghosts
    Shine on Silver Sun
    Autumn
    The Battle
    The River/Down By the Sea
    Lay Down

    Hero And Heroine

    TIN ANGEL, PHILADELPHIA (2 SHOWS), 15 OCT 2006

    WHAT A GREAT SHOW! - Review from Michael Perez

    Cathi and I went to see the early show at Tin Angel of the Acoustic Strawbs. What a great show! These guys can still do it and the electric band, according to Dave Cousins, will be on tour here in the USA again next year. It was my fourth time to see various incarnations of the band. First was the late 70s, not a classic line-up. The second was a legendary show people who were there still talk about at the Ambler Caberet (not the Chesnut as is listed in the official gigography) in 1984 with Hudson, Ford and Tony Hooper. They played two sets and those in attendance could stay for both. Cousins had a few pints that night before, during and after and was in rare loose form. The third time was the wonderful show they did at NEARfest. Some wrote on various boards that they didn't think they belonged there, as people do about almost anybody that doesn't fit into any particular individual's personal definition of prog or art rock. Call it folk prog, mellotron folk, whatever - these guys definitely deserve the prog creds they have been granted by us "big umbrella" proggers.

    Last night Mssrs. Cousins, Lambert and Cronk were in great form. They started with "Lay Down", one of my all-time fave songs. They also did "Midnight Sun", "Hero and Heroine", "Autumn" (of course, complete with Cousins infamous intro, now fitting here in PA, in fact there was a lot of storytelling between songs), "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "Oh! How She Changed", Lambert's recent "Cold Steel" (from Deja Fou), "Ghosts" and many others. We had a great time and recommend you see them if you haven't already.



    Photo by Michael Perez -
    more pics from Michael.


    THIS WAS THE BAND AT ITS BEST - Review from Judi Cuervo

    What is it about Tin Angel that brings out the best in Strawbs? It's nothing more than a long, narrow, tired-looking room with a small, low, red-carpeted stage at the front end, a small bar at the back and a disorganized mess of tables squeezed between the two. Maybe it's the fact that this joint is packed year after year with some of the most enthusiastic and certainly the most vocal fans--what a difference in enthusiasm between it and Metuchen the week before--or maybe, on a personal level, it's because this was the site of the very best Strawbs performance I've ever, ever, ever seen (including the electric band). Whatever the reason I always expect big things from a Tin Angel show.

    It started as a Bitchwood extravaganza with Amanda, Veronica, Lisa, Joannie, Cinnie and I doing the dinner thing at Tin Angel's sister establishment, Serrano, located one flight below the club. Tin Angel's policy is to reward those who dine at Serrano with the best tables for the show to follow and we hit the bullseye here. I know Dick doesn't like when I say such things but our front center table was so close to the stage that I could have spit at Dave C or Dave L. Fortunately, they gave me no reason to.

    Having caught the Metuchen show the week before, I expected pretty much the same set list though I hoped the energy would be kicked up a notch. Cinnie and Amanda might argue, but though I enjoyed the Metuchen show tremendously last week, it felt as though something didn't quite gel. Voices were strong and Jesus and The Battle were exciting additions but something was ever-so-slightly off.



    Photo by Judi Cuervo - more pics from Judi.

    Fast forward to last night in Philly. As expected, the early show was similar to that a week before but the song sequence had been jumbled which, oddly, made a terrific difference. Who knew? The only disappointment was the exclusion of The Battle in the first set and it's times like that when second shows certainly come in handy. I expected a show similar to the excellent first show but with The Battle replacing Jesus, perhaps.

    Well, don't ever accuse them of being predictable.

    The late show had an 8:00 p.m. start time but it didn't kick off until closer to 8:30. The boys made their way through the blue velvet curtain and, startlingly...IT WAS BACK! 'Bless the daytime, bless the night....' "Benedictus'" triumphant return was just the beginning. "Simple Visions", Cousins' arms flailing, striking poses like he was on a runway, was the second surprise of the night...and then--it couldn't be...."THE RIVER/DOWN BY THE SEA". By this time, I knew, the crowd knew and I suspect Strawbs knew that this was the band at its best.

    I rarely compile set lists at a show but I was determined to do a review of Philly so I forced myself. What triggered such a departure from what was starting to look like this tour's set? Not a clue unless, perhaps, they've figured out that a whole lot of first show people are second show people too and wanted to add some overwhelming favorites.

    After the show ended and the guys were signing things, taking photos and chatting, I went outside where I got a closer look at the audience's reaction as people left the club. Squeak, slam....Three guys walk out the door of the club: "We saw a legend tonight!" one said to the others. Squeak, slam...two guys walk out, one of them saying "It was pure music. Three guys with their instruments. Pure music. No bull****." Squeak, slam....Another two guys: "You hear him? ELECTRIC'S COMING BACK!"

    It was worth the 11 month wait.



    Photo by Cinnie Morgan - more pics from Cinnie.


    Setlist

    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

    Golden Salamander

    BALDWIN'S STATION, SYKESVILLE, 19 OCT 2006

    ANOTHER GREAT NIGHT WITH THE STRAWBS - Review from Dave

    It was another wonderful performance by the Strawbs last night at Baldwin's Station. The Strawbs have come here for the last three years but it was the first time I saw them here. It was a real treat!

    Baldwin's Station used to be a train terminal and is right by the train tracks. So it is logical that we might hear trains going by during the evening, and we did - in the middle of "Tears And Pavan" and right after "Midnight Sun" and Ghosts. It is also a restaurant and bar. I really enjoyed the food as well so that was an additional bonus for me.

    The stage is really small and but they managed to move around carefully it didn't seem to impact their performance.

    I saw the Strawbs in Charlottesville last week and it was a very special treat for me to be able to see them again this week. I came to the concert with a friend (a client of mine who has been a huge fan of the Strawbs for many years). I was due to come up to do some work at his site, and when he found out the Strawbs were going to be at Baldwin Station, we coordinated the trip so we could both go. A couple of his friends also joined us (also huge Strawbs fans). This was going to be a great evening.

    When I was in Charlottesville last week, I mentioned to Dave Cousins that I was going to see them again in Baldwin Station. He asked me if I had ever been there before. I said no, and he told me it was going to be an interesting experience for me.... Apparently the soundman at Baldwin Station (Tim) used to be a soundman for Elvis many years ago, so he might be one of the oldest soundmen around.

    At our table were a husband and wife that had seen the Strawbs together over 30 years ago, and this was their first concert of theirs since. I think they liked it a lot because at break, he came back to the table with about 6 CDs....lol.

    One other really great experience. I have seen them 6 times in the last three years in the Virginia and Maryland venues. I was sitting at the table during dinner when I noticed a man and a woman that looked really familiar. I don't forget faces, but I cannot remember a name to save my life. Finally, at the break between sets, I walked over to the husband, explained who I was and asked him if he and his wife had ever gone to see the Strawbs in Charlottesville or at the Jammin Java in Vienna, VA. He said they had been (which is where I probably saw him), but that a couple of years ago, he wasn't able to make it and his wife and daughter went by themselves. I realized that they had sat at my table in Vienna. I came over to the table and introduced myself and his wife recognized me. Their daughter had never seen the Strawbs before that concert but had grown up listening to her father's Strawbs collection, so she went with her mom. They had a great time. It was a real pleasure to meet them again.

    I have read many posts about other Strawbs' fans getting together at their gigs. I can really appreciate the camaraderie that surfaces at these concerts.

    At any rate, enough carrying on. It was another great night with the Strawbs.


    THE STRAND, LAKEWOOD, 20 OCT 2006



    Photo by Rick Sarlo - more pics from Rick.


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