Strawbs (or The Strawbs) are an English rock band founded in 1964, led by Dave Cousins. Although the band started out as a bluegrass group they eventually moved on to other styles such as
folk, folk rock, (briefly) glam rock and progressive rock. Members included Sandy Denny (who later went on to join Fairport Convention), Rick Wakeman (who was discovered whilst in the Strawbs, joined Yes and has had a lengthy solo career), Richard Hudson and John Ford (who wrote "Part Of The Union" and then spun off as Hudson-Ford). They are best known for their hit, "Part Of The Union", which reached number two in the UK charts in February 1973, as well as for "Lay Down" a number 12 UK hit from the same LP. Their album Hero And Heroine (1974) was voted one of the Top 50 prog records of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
A Taste of Strawbs is a box-set album by Strawbs. Instead of being a "best of" album, the compilers (Dave Cousins and Dick Greener) have attempted to present alternative versions of some well-known songs plus
some previously unreleased material. Included are some very old songs by The Strawberry Hill Boys, with Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper and Ron Chesterman, also are some very interesting songs by Sandy Denny and The Strawbs, and outtakes from different periods of the band's career.
This five-CD set constitutes as full an account of the first 40 years of the Strawbs' history as you're ever likely to see, and also manages to close some essential gaps in the group's early history that Universal Music has otherwise left wide open for decades on CD, as well as some gaps left at the time, in the late '60s, '70s, and beyond, owing to the exigencies of the recording industry.
That said, however, this set -- despite its five-hour-plus running time -- also very strategically avoids
including much that is familiar or, at least, anything in its familiar version; between the vault discoveries of unused takes of released tracks, and songs that were never issued, plus remixes and early takes of songs that were subsequently heavily redone,
this is the largest body of "new" Strawbs material that anyone except for Dave Cousins and some bandmembers will ever have encountered. The sound here ranges from very good to excellent throughout, and there's not a single note of apology or explanation needed for the presence of any of the 89 songs featured in this set.
It may be pricey, and it isn't complete in terms of musical history, but it is one of the most comprehensive
collections of rarities and triumphant musical moments one is ever likely to see of this band's work. With so many of the bands finest tracks here, almost always in a different form to that which we originally came to know, this is both a gathering of their greatest works, and a collectors paradise of rare and unheard material. "A taste of Strawbs" is an essential purchase for anyone who enjoys the music of this wonderful band.
The good news is that is off set by an excellent booklet and a fifth disc available only with the first 1000 copies. Essential for Strawbs fans BUT I would suggest the individual albums first.
LINE - UP
Artists appearing on at least one track include:
David Cousins, Tony Hooper, John Berry, Ron Chesterman, Sandy Denny, Claire Deniz, Rick Wakeman, Blue Weaver, Richard Hudson, John Ford, Dave Lambert, John Hawken, Chas Cronk, Rod Coomes, Robert Kirby, John Mealing, Tony Fernandez, Andy Richards, Brian Willoughby, Rod Demick, Chris Paren, Don Airey, Adam Wakeman.
Strawbs – A Taste Of Strawbs
Label: Witchwood Media – WMBS 2036
Format: 5 x CD, Album, Compilation, Box Set
Country: UK
Released: Nov 13, 2006
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Folk Rock, Art Rock, Pop Rock, Prog Rock, Folk
CD1. EYES WIDE OPEN
01. The Strawberry HiIl Boys – The Grey HawkArranged By – Cousins, Hooper
Double Bass – John Berry
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written By – Trad.
02. Dave Cousins – The Cruel Wars (Higher Germanie)Arranged By – Dave Cousins
Vocals, Banjo – Dave Cousins
Written By – Trad.
03. The Strawberry HiIl Boys – You Don't Think About MeArranged By – Cousins, Hooper
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Vocals, Banjo – Dave Cousins
Vocals, Guitar – Tony Hooper
Written By – Trad.
04. Dave Cousins – Not Alt The Flowers GrowVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
05. The Strawberry HiIl Boys – You Keep Going Your WayBass – Ron Chesterman
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
06. Sandy And The Strawbs – Sail Away To The SeaBass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gustav Winckler
Vocals – Sandy Denny
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
07. Sandy And The Strawbs – Nothing Else Will DoBass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gustav Winckler
Vocals – Sandy Denny
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
08. The Strawbs – Oh How She ChangedArranged By [Orchestral] – Tony Visconti
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Remix [Digitally] – Roger Wake
Vocals – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins, Hooper
09. The Strawbs – Or Am I DreamingArranged By [Orchestral] – Tony Visconti
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Remix [Digitally] – Roger Wake
Vocals – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
10. The Strawbs – All The Littte LadiesBass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins, Hooper
11. The Strawbs – Ah Me, Ah MyArranged By [Orchestral] – Tony Visconti
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Hooper
12. The Strawbs – The Man Who Called Himself JesusBass – Ron Chesterman
Drums – Ronnie Verrell
Lead Guitar – Alan Parker
Performer [Interviewer] – Tom Browne
Performer [Shopkeeper] – Richard Wilson
Piano – Nicky Hopkins
Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Remix – Dave Cousins
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
13. The Strawbs – The BattleBass – Ron Chesterman
Cello – Clare Deniz
Organ – Rick Wakeman
Snare – Ronnie Verrell
Vocals – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
14. Fire – It's Just LoveBass – Dick Dufall
Drums – Bob Voice
Producer – Ray Hammond
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Lambert
15. Strawbs – Another DayBass – Ron Chesterman
Cello – Clare Deniz
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
16. Strawbs – ForeverBass – Ron Chesterman
Cello – Clare Deniz
Drums – Bjarne Rostvold
Organ – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins, Hooper
17. Strawbs – Where Am I? / I'll Show You Where To SleepBass – John Ford
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Percussion – Richard Hudson
Remix [Digitally] – Roger Wake
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
18. Strawbs – Canon DaleBass – John Ford
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Tony Hooper
Vocals, Sitar – Richard Hudson
Written-By – Hudson
19. Strawbs – RMWBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Producer – Phil Stannard
Written-By – Wakeman
20. Strawbs – SheepBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Producer – Phil Stannard
Tambourine – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
Flac Size: 408 MB
CD2. CHANGING PLACES
01. Strawbs – TomorrowBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Producer – Jeff Griffin
Vocals, Lead Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Weaver, Cousins, Ford, Hudson, Hooper
02. Strawbs – New WorldBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Producer – Jeff Griffin
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
03. Strawbs – Here It ComesBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Guitar, Percussion – Tony Hooper
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Producer – Jeff Griffin
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
04. Dave Cousins & Dave Lambert – See How They RunVocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Vocals, Piano – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins, Lambert
05. Dave Lambert – Going HomeBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins
06. Dave Cousins – The ActorBass – Roger Glover
Drums, Percussion – Jon Hiseman
Lead Guitar – Miller Anderson
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
07. The Brothers – Part Of The UnionPiano – Blue Weaver
Vocals, Drums – Richard Hudson
Vocals, Guitar, Bass – John Ford
Written-By – Ford, Hudson
08. Dave Lambert – The Winter & The SummerVocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Lambert
09. Dave Cousins – Whichever Way The Wind BlowsArranged By [Orchestral] – Tony Visconti
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
10. Strawbs –Betrayed / Shine On Silver Sun / Words Of WisdomBass – Leo Lyons
Drums – Ric Lee
Keyboards – John Hawken
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins
11. Dave Cousins – Out In The Cold / Round & RoundVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
12. Dave Cousins - The Writing On The WallVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
13. Strawbs –The Four QueensBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Harmonica, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Piano – John Hawken
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cronk, Cousins, Lambert, Hawken, Coombes
14. Strawbs – Ghosts: ThemeWritten-By – Cousins
15. Dave Cousins – Lemon PieVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
16. David Cousins Et Strawbs – Cherie Je T'aimeArranged By [Choir] – Robert Kirby
Bass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Organ – John Hawken
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
17. Dave Cousins – So Shall Our Love DieVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
18. Dave Cousins – Still Small VoiceVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
19. Strawbs – Absent Friend (How I Need You Now)Bass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Robert Kirby
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Piano – John Mealing
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
Flac Size: 468 MB
CD3. INSIDE OUT
01. David Cousins – The Merchant AdventurerVocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
02. Strawbs – Blue AngelBass, Vocals – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Keyboards – John Mealing, Robert Kirby
Producer – Tom Allom
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins
03. Strawbs – GoodbyeBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Keyboards – Robert Kirby
Piano – John Mealing
Vocals – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
04. David Cousins – Deadly NightshadeVocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
05. Strawbs – MidnightBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Tony Fernandez
Keyboards – John Mealing, Robert Kirby
Producer – Jeffrey Lesser
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins
06. Strawbs – Sweet VoicesBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Tony Fernandez
Keyboards – John Mealing, Robert Kirby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins, Lambert
07. David Cousins – Bring Out Your DeadVocals, Piano – David Cousins
Written-By
– Cousins
08. David Cousins – Another Day Without YouVocals, Piano – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
09. Lambert - Cronk – Touch The EarthBass, Vocals – Chas Cronk
Drums – Tony Fernandez
Keyboards – Andy Richards
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Richards, Cronk, Lambert
10. Juan Martin & Strawbs – ArmadaBass, Vocals – Chas Cronk
Drums – Tony Fernandez
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Humphrey Walwyn
Guitar – Juan Martin
Keyboards – Andy Richards
Producer – Humphrey Walwyn
Written-By – Martin
11. David Cousins & Brian Willoughby – A Glimpse Of HeavenGuitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
12. Strawbs – The Hangman & The PapistBass – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
13. Strawbs – I'll Carry On Beside YouBass, Vocals – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Lead Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
14. John Ford & Richard Hudson – Heavy DisguiseVocals – Richard Hudson
Vocals, Guitar – John Ford
Written-By – Ford
15. Strawbs – That's When The Crying StartsBass, Vocals – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Lead Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousins
16. David Cousins – EvergreenVocals, Piano – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
17. David Cousíns & Rick Wakeman – Song Of A Sad Little GirlSynthesizer – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousíns
Written-By – Cousins
Flac Size: 452 MB
CD4. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD
01. Strawbs – Ringing Down The YearsBass – Rod Demick
Drums – Richard Hudson
Lead Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Piano – Chris Parren
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousíns, Tony Hooper
Written-By – Cousíns
02. David Cousíns – Further Down The RoadVocals, Piano – David Cousíns
Written-By – Cousíns
03. Strawbs – Heartbreak HillBass – Rod Demick
Drums – Richard Hudson
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Keyboards – Don Airey
Lead Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Richards, Cronk, Cousins
04. Don Airey – Extravaganza On A Theme Of StrawbsKeyboards – Don Airey
Written-By – Don Airey
05. David Cousins & Don Airey – Files Of FactsKeyboards – Don Airey
Written-By – Cousins, Don Airey
06. Strawbs - Hero & HeroineBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Keyboards – Adam Wakeman, Blue Weaver
Violin – Ric Sanders
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
07. Dave Lambert & Brian Willoughby – The Ten CommandmentsGuitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Lambert
08. Wakeman & Cousins – The KingKeyboards – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
09. Wakeman & Cousins – Hummingbird (Instrumental)Dulcimer – David Cousins
Keyboards – Rick Wakeman
Written-By – Cousins, Wakeman
10. Acoustic Strawbs – Alice's SongGuitar – Brian Willoughby, Dave Lambert
Vocals, Banjo – David Cousins
Written-By – Willoughby, Craig
11a. Acoustic Strawbs – Maclean StreetGuitar, E-Bow – Brian Willoughby, Dave Lambert
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins, Lambert
11b. Acoustic Strawbs – Who Knows Where The Time GoesGuitar, E-Bow – Brian Willoughby, Dave Lambert
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Denny
12. Acoustic Strawbs – We'll Meet Again SometimeGuitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Vocals, Guitar, E-Bow – Dave Lambert
Written-By – Cousins
13. Strawbs – Sunday MorningBass – Chas Cronk
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Harmony Vocals – Chris While, Julie Matthews
Orchestrated By – Robert Kirby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins, Lambert
14. Strawbs – A Night Like ThisBass, Guitar [High-strung] – Chas Cronk
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
Vocals, Mandolin – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
15. Acoustic Strawbs – DragonflyGuitar [12-string], Performer [Pedals] – Chas Cronk
Guitar, E-Bow – Dave Lambert
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
16. David Cousins – CanadaVocals, Guitar, Keyboards – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
17. Strawbs – Here Today, Gone TomorrowBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Piano – John Hawken
Vocals – David Cousins
Written-By – Cousins
Flac Size: 456 MB
CD5. BONUS DISC: TASTEBUDS
01. The Strawberry HiIl Boys – The Happiest Boy In TownBass – Ron Chesterman
Vocals, Banjo – Dave Cousins
Vocals, Guitar – Tony Hooper
02. Strawbs – Draught RagaBass – John Ford
Sitar – Richard Hudson
03. David Cousins – Ways And MeansBass – Roger Glover
Drums, Percussion – Jon Hiseman
Lead Guitar – Miller Anderson
Piano – Rick Wakeman
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
04. David Cousins – The Rip It Off BluesVocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
05. David Cousins – Stay Awhile With MeArranged By [Orchestral] – Tony Visconti
Bass – Ron Chesterman
Guitar – Tony Hooper
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Cousins
06. Strawbs – Oh So SleepyBass, Vocals – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Keyboards – John Mealing, Robert Kirby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Dave Lambert
07. Strawbs – Barcarole (Instrumental)Guitar – David Cousins
Keyboards – Robert Kirby
08. David Cousins and Chas Cronk – Time And LifeGuitar [12-string] – Chas Cronk
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
09. Intergalactic Touring Band – HearbreakerArranged By [Orchestral] – David Bedford, Stephan Galfas
Bass – Peter Sobel
Drums, Percussion – Paul Marchetti
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – David Scance
Flute – John Zangrando
Keyboards – Brian Cuomo
Synthesizer – Larry Fast
Vocals – Dave Cousins
Vocals [Group Vocals] – Frank D'Agostino, Joel Krantz, Shelley Thompson
10. Juan Martin & Strawbs – Andalucian ExpressBass, Vocals – Chas Cronk
Drums – Tony Fernandez
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Humphrey Walwyn
Guitar – Juan Martin
Keyboards – Andy Richards
Producer – Humphrey Walwyn
11. Strawbs – Lay DownBass, Vocals – John Ford
Drums – Richard Hudson
Keyboards – Blue Weaver
Lead Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Tony Hooper
12. Blue Weaver – Over The HillKeyboards – Blue Weaver
13. David Cousins & Brian Willoughby – You Never Needed WaterDrums – Tony Fernandez
Guitar – Brian Willoughby
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
14. Acoustic Strawbs – IfBass – Chas Cronk
Guitar – Dave Lambert
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins
15. Acoustic Strawbs – Cold SteelBanjo – David Cousins
Guitar [12-string] – Chas Cronk
Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lambert
16. Strawbs – The River / Down By The SeaBass – Chas Cronk
Drums – Rod Coombes
Keyboards – John Hawken
Vocals, Guitar – David Cousins, Dave Lambert
Flac Size: 419 MB
You can find many Strawbs albums on Urban Aspirines
