1st 3 songs are all from 'From The Wychwood' (1971) my favourite of their albums-perfect from start to finish and every track works superbly in terms of sequencing so it sounds like a 'concept' album in that way. 'Dragonfly', ''Grave New World', 'Hero and Heroine', 'Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios', 'Bursting At The Seams' (although that gave them an uncharacteristic cheesy hit single in the UK at the time), and even their eponymous 'first' album were all to be found in any self-respecting prog-head's collection...Their very first album was recorded with Sandy Denny before she joined Fairport and anguished in obscurity unreleased until 1973--despite including the first (and in my view best) version of her masterpiece 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?'
Consider listening to a little known gem, “Where is This Dream of Your Youth” from Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios. You’ve done a shorter version but the live version of it from this album is a good example of the keyboard skills of a young Rick Wakeman.
I last saw the strawbs in Seaton, Devon. During the show he explained that "A Glimpse of Heaven" was a description of Branscombe from the top of the hill. The odd thing is that I'm from Cwmbran - the opposite of Bran's Cwm - or Bran's Cwn or Branscombe. It truly is a glimpse of heaven.
On Blue Angel Roger Glover from Deep Purple played bass, Miller Anderson from the 1st version of Jethro Tull played lead guitar and Wakeman played the piano.
Great marathon, Roundabout! One of my favorite bands. I bought Witchwood when it came out and was an instant fan. Rick Wakeman added so much to their sound and his replacement, Blue Weaver kept it going on the next 2 lps. Plus, the addition of Dave Lambert on guitar, vocals and writing took them to new levels on Bursting At The Seams.
I had the pleasure to see 1968 Strawbs at Epping folk Club, they really were a band to see with just an acoustic set. Later they played with Sandy Denny on vocals, unfortuantly not for long and I missed out on the event. They were very much an English Folk band, but transformed into Folk/ rock where they really took of in the UK, europe and Japan. Rick Wakeman had a brief but worthwhile time within the group. Well done for picking up on this sometimes forgotten band, whom are still releasing music.
Loved the Strawbs , they initially had Rick Wakeman in the group before he joined Yes . Saw them three times live and twice they were paired with King Crimson .
Any day that I get to hear Strawbs is a good day and a special day. Thank you and Roundabout to gifting me these charms. While I had purchased their "Hero & Heroine" fresh from the oven, where it became part of who I am...I had yet to venture far beyond that miraculous love opera. Today's brand spanking new experiencing of a different Strawbs only drew them further in, in a sort of reverse peristalsis. They were easily one of the best art prog folk bands to emerge from Drexel Street, Canterbury, England in the month of July of 1972. In fact they are one of the best bands ever. There I said it. Growl at me with ringent foreteeth a-baring. "Programming and Metaprogramming the Human Biocomputer" by Dr. John Lilly, around 1970, helped facilitate rapid evolution of progressive music along many avenues. So glad you are resonating with these risible advances in consciousness. P.S. "The difference between Gaelic and Celtic is that Gaelic is a language/tribe originating in Scotland and belonging to a group of Celtic cultures." [The Internets]
@@garyarnett1220 I will now listen to their entire catalog. I somehow had assumed they could do no better than H & H. I was too quick...and they too good. Finally got to see the band in Charlotte. 'Twas acoustic, which was a bit of a letdown, because of their amazing mellotron work in H & H. Still brilliant and charming. Dave is like a leprechaun.
Hi Nick, just doing another catch up. Lol .. Love The Strawbs. Always something different on their albums. I love the multitued of instruments they use throughout so you just never know what to expect. Rick Wakeman on keyboards ! Yes he did leave the band ...but was on here....I think you knew ..pointing to the Close to the Edge album on display. The track "Sheep" had a punk vibe to it long before punk, and the keyboards during the 1st part sounded so much like "The Stranglers" punk band. [ My favourite ] then it morphed into sounding like Deep Purple on the organ. Great marathon .. Love Blue Angel ... Doesn't feel it's that long. Thankyou. Byee Jim X
They is a very good reason why you did not hear a strident lead guitar in the first three tracks - Dave Lambert had not yet joined the band. He replaced acoustic guitarist and vocalist Tony Hooper (who was unhappy with the rock direction their music was taking) following the glorious Grave New World. You must compare the original Blue Angel with the version featured on the same titled 2003 album, with Brian Willoughby producing sumptuous, lyrical lead guitar, in complete contrast to Millar Anderson.
Strawbs!! Celtic refers to a larger grouping of ancient peoples that inhabited the British Isles as well as Btittany in France. Gaelic is a language specific to Ireland and is a part of the larger grouping of Celtic languages.
A little trivia about recorders (the instrument). They aren't merely the plastic toys kids play. My wife plays them and owns a couple tenor recorders that can approach $1000 depending on wood species and brand.
Soooo looking forward to this one. Strawbs are amazing. All of this is from the early 70s. From the Witchwood is a terrific album. BTW, the flute and the recorder are similar but different instruments, not just 2 words for the same thing.
In ye olden days, "Two Weeks Last Summer" wasn't available in the US; nevertheless. I found a 2d hand copy at good old Dog Ear Records in northern Chicagoland. I was beside myself.
Never heard of Strawbs before, but I was thinking the same way as you before you said it. Very Celtic, very reminiscent of Jethro Tull, perhaps more Minstrel in the Gallery than Songs from the Wood, but that's just a thought. His voice sounded a bit like Peter Gabriel.
i am surprised you could play a "marathon", with nothing from Hero and Heroine (1973). i think you would enjoy this one. The second side of the album always played like a suite to me ("Hero and Heroine"/ "Midnight Sun"/ "Out in the Cold"/ "Lay a Little Light on Me") "Just Love" could have been a pop hit, IMO.. i always found the vocal to be a bit of an "acquired taste", which probably kept them from being much bigger in the US. FYI At one point, Rick Wakeman played in the Strawbs, prior to Yes.
@@clannad99germany70 After reading my response I realize that my phrasing was wrong. What I meant to imply was that I never miss listening to them, they’re some of my favourites as well.
I've always been a big fan of The Strawbs. However, this is an odd assortment of their tunes. Not the ones that I would have chosen, but then again I didn't do the requesting.
1st 3 songs are all from 'From The Wychwood' (1971) my favourite of their albums-perfect from start to finish and every track works superbly in terms of sequencing so it sounds like a 'concept' album in that way. 'Dragonfly', ''Grave New World', 'Hero and Heroine', 'Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios', 'Bursting At The Seams' (although that gave them an uncharacteristic cheesy hit single in the UK at the time), and even their eponymous 'first' album were all to be found in any self-respecting prog-head's collection...Their very first album was recorded with Sandy Denny before she joined Fairport and anguished in obscurity unreleased until 1973--despite including the first (and in my view best) version of her masterpiece 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?'
So glad that you finally found this. I listened to this a lot when it first came out in 1971. Still have the original vinyl.
Perfect examples of why I enjoy Strawbs/Cousins so much. Great Marathon. Thanks, Nick.
Aren't they the most deeply, intense-lyrics driven band? Brilliant group of musicians too.
Rick Wakeman commented that he thought Dave Cousins was one of the most beautiful and best lyricists.
Consider listening to a little known gem, “Where is This Dream of Your Youth” from Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios. You’ve done a shorter version but the live version of it from this album is a good example of the keyboard skills of a young Rick Wakeman.
The keyboard solo is longer than the original song!
I just wrote on one of your older Strawbs vids about "Blue Angel" - epic epic song.
I last saw the strawbs in Seaton, Devon. During the show he explained that "A Glimpse of Heaven" was a description of Branscombe from the top of the hill.
The odd thing is that I'm from Cwmbran - the opposite of Bran's Cwm - or Bran's Cwn or Branscombe.
It truly is a glimpse of heaven.
Strawbs lyrics are worth listening to on subsequent listenings, Dave Cousins is good poetic lyricist.
Rick Wakeman on all 5 of these songs.
On Blue Angel Roger Glover from Deep Purple played bass, Miller Anderson from the 1st version of Jethro Tull played lead guitar and Wakeman played the piano.
Really??? Glover AND Wakeman? Dang.....now it just needs Paice on drums.🙂
Miller Anderson?? Mick Abrahams is the original guitarist in Tull.
@@jayhpaq You're right. I think I have the right name just not the right player I guess.
@@raymondregis6219 I also enjoy Mick’s band after leaving Tull, Blodwyn Pig.
Rick Wakeman was the keyboardist with them before joining Yes. and played on these. Cousins voice on the last couple almost has a Donovan tone to it.
Thank you so much, Roundabout!
I looooooove Blue Angel, stellar musicianship and composition.
Rick Wakeman on everything was simply amazing.
Great marathon, Roundabout! One of my favorite bands. I bought Witchwood when it came out and was an instant fan. Rick Wakeman added so much to their sound and his replacement, Blue Weaver kept it going on the next 2 lps. Plus, the addition of Dave Lambert on guitar, vocals and writing took them to new levels on Bursting At The Seams.
I had the pleasure to see 1968 Strawbs at Epping folk Club, they really were a band to see with just an acoustic set. Later they played with Sandy Denny on vocals, unfortuantly not for long and I missed out on the event. They were very much an English Folk band, but transformed into Folk/ rock where they really took of in the UK, europe and Japan.
Rick Wakeman had a brief but worthwhile time within the group.
Well done for picking up on this sometimes forgotten band, whom are still releasing music.
Grave New World. For me the best Strawbs album.
Too hard to pick for me.
Loved the Strawbs , they initially had Rick Wakeman in the group before he joined Yes . Saw them three times live and twice they were paired with King Crimson .
Any day that I get to hear Strawbs is a good day and a special day. Thank you and Roundabout to gifting me these charms. While I had purchased their "Hero & Heroine" fresh from the oven, where it became part of who I am...I had yet to venture far beyond that miraculous love opera. Today's brand spanking new experiencing of a different Strawbs only drew them further in, in a sort of reverse peristalsis.
They were easily one of the best art prog folk bands to emerge from Drexel Street, Canterbury, England in the month of July of 1972. In fact they are one of the best bands ever. There I said it. Growl at me with ringent foreteeth a-baring.
"Programming and Metaprogramming the Human Biocomputer" by Dr. John Lilly, around 1970, helped facilitate rapid evolution of progressive music along many avenues. So glad you are resonating with these risible advances in consciousness.
P.S. "The difference between Gaelic and Celtic is that Gaelic is a language/tribe originating in Scotland and belonging to a group of Celtic cultures." [The Internets]
I'm with you in that Hero and Heroine being the only album I'm familiar with, this is way nice.
@@garyarnett1220 I will now listen to their entire catalog. I somehow had assumed they could do no better than H & H. I was too quick...and they too good. Finally got to see the band in Charlotte. 'Twas acoustic, which was a bit of a letdown, because of their amazing mellotron work in H & H. Still brilliant and charming. Dave is like a leprechaun.
@@MisterWondrous Not sure I'm up for a "deep dive" into them, but for sure going to try more.
You need to do the entire Hero and Heroine album and also GHOSTS, and the new stuff too.
Hero and heroine is a perfect album. Ghosts is great. Bursting at the seams is fantastic. Love flying. Beautiful song. The epitome of underated
This was delightful!
Hi Nick, just doing another catch up. Lol .. Love The Strawbs. Always something different on their albums. I love the multitued of instruments they use throughout so you just never know what to expect. Rick Wakeman on keyboards ! Yes he did leave the band ...but was on here....I think you knew ..pointing to the Close to the Edge album on display. The track "Sheep" had a punk vibe to it long before punk, and the keyboards during the 1st part sounded so much like "The Stranglers" punk band. [ My favourite ] then it morphed into sounding like Deep Purple on the organ. Great marathon .. Love Blue Angel ... Doesn't feel it's that long. Thankyou. Byee Jim X
They is a very good reason why you did not hear a strident lead guitar in the first three tracks - Dave Lambert had not yet joined the band. He replaced acoustic guitarist and vocalist Tony Hooper (who was unhappy with the rock direction their music was taking) following the glorious Grave New World. You must compare the original Blue Angel with the version featured on the same titled 2003 album, with Brian Willoughby producing sumptuous, lyrical lead guitar, in complete contrast to Millar Anderson.
Rick on the keyboards on these solo tracks too I didn't even knew existed...Roger Glover (Deep Purple) on bass here too...
Young Rick Wakeman keys on the Shepherd's Song
Superb band the Strawbs!
Strawbs!! Celtic refers to a larger grouping of ancient peoples that inhabited the British Isles as well as Btittany in France. Gaelic is a language specific to Ireland and is a part of the larger grouping of Celtic languages.
Some of my personal favourite music, thanks for doing this.
My pleasure Rob!!
Great marathon!
A little trivia about recorders (the instrument). They aren't merely the plastic toys kids play. My wife plays them and owns a couple tenor recorders that can approach $1000 depending on wood species and brand.
Yes. That's what I thought. I had one very nice recorded as a kid and it wasn't cheap. It even came in this amazing case.
Blue Angel, turn it up loud and let the sound wash over you. Ace song.
Listen to The Life Auction!!!!!
Best Strawbs song!!!!
I've seen them 3x. Great band. Great songs.
Soooo looking forward to this one. Strawbs are amazing. All of this is from the early 70s. From the Witchwood is a terrific album. BTW, the flute and the recorder are similar but different instruments, not just 2 words for the same thing.
Thank you. I was very confused about that. I'll look up the difference. 🙏
Recorders sound like a piccolo but wooden or plastic. Gentle Giant and Gryphon used them frequently in their early days.
Awe man...should have been Nick n Lex
Agreed.
In ye olden days, "Two Weeks Last Summer" wasn't available in the US; nevertheless. I found a 2d hand copy at good old Dog Ear Records in northern Chicagoland. I was beside myself.
Never heard of Strawbs before, but I was thinking the same way as you before you said it. Very Celtic, very reminiscent of Jethro Tull, perhaps more Minstrel in the Gallery than Songs from the Wood, but that's just a thought. His voice sounded a bit like Peter Gabriel.
Wakeman was with Strawbs
Before YES
From the Witchwood was the last album with Rick Wakeman.
i am surprised you could play a "marathon", with nothing from Hero and Heroine (1973). i think you would enjoy this one. The second side of the album always played like a suite to me ("Hero and Heroine"/ "Midnight Sun"/ "Out in the Cold"/ "Lay a Little Light on Me") "Just Love" could have been a pop hit, IMO.. i always found the vocal to be a bit of an "acquired taste", which probably kept them from being much bigger in the US. FYI At one point, Rick Wakeman played in the Strawbs, prior to Yes.
English folk rock at it's best
What you’re calling celtic is more akin to English folk and church music to my ear.
Auto harp or dulcimer. !!!
Grave New World was their best album by far.
Sadly the best songs of the Strawbs are missed, like "Lay down" or "hero and heroine".
Not by me.
@@robertpearson8798Tastes are different.
@@clannad99germany70 Absolutely.
@@clannad99germany70 After reading my response I realize that my phrasing was wrong. What I meant to imply was that I never miss listening to them, they’re some of my favourites as well.
I've always been a big fan of The Strawbs. However, this is an odd assortment of their tunes. Not the ones that I would have chosen, but then again I didn't do the requesting.
please react ras muhamad - good over evil (best reggae in indonesia) 🇲🇨
That should read 'languished' in obscurity sorry...
They are messed up alright.