Strawbs

Release date: May, 1969
A & M AMS 936
CD Reissue: 2008
Universal 5302679

 

 

Ok, so there will be debate as to whether this is the Strawbs first album or second. I know, they had issued All Our Own Work with Sandy Denny, in Denmark first,  but to me this is the first official Strawbs album. Interestingly, it was due to All Our Own Work that the Strawbs album came into existence. A & M had opened a London office, and Karl Knudsen (the head of Sonet records, the label that released All Our Own Work) played a tape of the Strawbs with Sandy Denny to the then head of London’s A & M,  Dave Hubert. The rest is, as they say, history.

 

The line-up for this album was Dave Cousins (vocals; guitars), Tony Hooper (vocals; guitars), and Ron Chesterman (double bass).  Other musicians, orchestras and bands contributed to this debut album, but the core of the Strawbs was the three mentioned above. Gus Dudgeon signed on as producer.

 

Here, one could describe their music as folk rock, not so much prog-rock. But the melodies and vocals are pure Strawbs. The album kicks off in fine style with “The Man Who Called Himself Jesus”, which was also the second single issued from the album. Strawbs still perform this in concert, as they should. This is brilliant writing, musically and lyrically. Sadly, the BBC banned it, which put them in good company with The Beatles (numerous bans) and other bands of that era.

 

For the record, Strawbs’ first single, also found on Strawbs, was “Oh How She Changed”, released in 1968. A stirring and moving song featuring some very fine vocals. Obviously a song that has struck a chord with Cousins, as it has been performed in concert, as well as finding an alternative version on their box set A Taste of Strawbs and it was re-recorded on their 2009 album, Dancing To The Devil’s Beat. Even more interesting is that it was issued in America as a single (as was “The Man Who Called Himself Jesus”), yet the self-titled album was not released there until 2008, on CD. Canada was more fortunate, as Strawbs was issued in 1974, along with Dragonfly, in the compilation double album Early Strawbs.

 

A shame, really, as the album is quite a stunning debut. Dudgeon threw everything into the mix for this one, and although it is now regarded as a folk-rock classic, at the time it did not receive the attention it deserved. What Strawbs did was lay the groundwork for what was to come.

When the album was remastered and re-released on CD in 2008, three tracks (“That Which Once Was Mine”, “Poor Jimmy Wilson”, “The Battle”) and an interview for The John Peel show were added. While this enhances the CD and are very worthy additions, I still find the sound and warmth of the vinyl being the source I return time and again..