Reviews

Artist: Acoustic Strawbs
Venue: Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Town: Maidenhead
Date: 15/02/09
Website: http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk

These days, Strawbs come in two flavours. Electric or Acoustic.

This isn't because there are two competing bands, comprising diferent members of some earlier line-up, both trading under the same name. It is purely a matter of logistics. Rod Coomes, the Strawbs' drummer is a University lecturer, so sometimes it is not feasible for them to tour as a full band.

In addition, for the past few years, their keyboard player was John Hawken, who lives in the States. Sadly John has now retired, and will be replaced, at least for the next couple of tours, by Oliver Wakeman, who also happens to play keyboards for Yes. There is a certain amount of poetic justice about this, as Oliver's father, Rick Wakeman, originally found fame as a keyboard player in the Strawbs.

But don't feel short changed, if you only see the acoustics. The acoustic shows tend to be more intimate concerts, generally in smaller theatres, but they are no less musical. The songs are so intricately scored that the sound that Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk produce is every bit as good as if they had had an entire orchestra and weeks of over-dubbing in a studio.

Although thought by many as a Sixties or Seventies band, the Strawbs have already released far more albums in the noughties than they did in the decades where they made their name, but if you know any of their older material, you'll be pleased to know that by far the majority of their set list dates back to the seventies. You won't feel left behind. (Although you are unlikely to hear "Part of the Union" played live. Although this was their biggest hit, it is very atypical of their material.)

It was a cold, dark night and I was feeling pretty tired. Knowing that Monday morning follows hard on the heels of a Sunday night, made the thought of going out seem less palatable. It it had been almost any other band, the lure of the settee might have won, but this, of course, was no other band.

Only one note, though, and all memories of tiredness instantly disappeared.

Sadly, the Norden Farm gig is the only one of this current Acoustic Strawbs tour that I have been able to get to. Quite surprised that there were very few people in the audience that I recognised from previous Strawbs concerts, but the theatre was still pretty close to being full.

You can't fault the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts when it comes to the stage lighting. Although very simple, it is very effective. A black backdrop, with bright white lights on the band, really brings out the best from the highly polished guitars.

You can't fault the theatre for the sound, either: perfectly balanced and crystal clear. A sound system well suited to the Strawbs beautiful music.

Last time the Strawbs played there, though, the theatre staff were on constant patrol, ensuring that there were no cameras around. This year, there were no indications that they were anti-photography, but just to be on the safe side, I smuggled my camera in, and didn't attempt to take a picture until the second half. No staff appeared to mind, but I was sitting in front of a guy who objected. Apparently the site of my camera distracted his enjoyment of the music. Oh well, at least he was enjoying the music.

Luckily I managed to take a few pictures before he got too vocal.

If you are planning on seeing the Strawbs, but aren't too familiar with their material, I do recommend that you check out some of their material before-hand. There's plenty of clips on Youtube. Dave Cousins, the lead singer has a very unique voice, which is loved by many, but equally, there are some that find the raw emotion in his voice more challenging than they are comfortable with.

Due to their acoustic nature, and the fact that Sandy Denny originally played with the Strawbs, many people class their music as folk. Due to the complexity of their songs and the fact that Rick Wakeman was once a member, others class them as prog. Wherever you class them, there is no denying that the music is beautiful.

Dave Lambert can make his Blue Dean guitar make almost any sound imaginable, most notably during "Autumn" when he makes his guitar cry like a seagull.

The banjo is an often maligned instrument, but Dave Cousins demonstrates that it is a serious musical instrument during "Cold Steel", a song from their studio album "Deja Fou".

Chas Cronk, as well as playing twelve string or acoustic bass, also has an organ that he plays with his feet. During "Ghosts" the tension that he builds up for the climax actually makes it physically hard for you to catch your breath.

I don't think that there were any surprises to the set-list, but every song was played to perfection.

Set list was:

Set 1
Benedictus/Simple Visions
Tears And Pavan
New World
Another Day
Midnight Sun
Oh How She Changed
The Call To Action

Set 2
Ghosts
Josephine (For Better Or For Worse)
Glimpse of Heaven
The Hangman And The Papist
Shine On Silver Sun
Cold Steel
Autumn
Lay Down

Encore
We'll Meet Again Sometime

Pete Bradley