The Strawbs is best known as the band that could but was overshadowed by the elitist progressive bands of their time. In fact, Strawbs yielded keyboardist extraordinaire to Yes, who then gleaned their ultra popular sound base from Wakeman's inimitable classical/rock hybrid merge. However, it wasn't Wakeman's affiliation with Strawbs that advanced their popularity.

Vocalist and mainstay, Dave Cousins, began Strawbs in the folk era of Britain during the formative 60s eventually leading them to a decidedly progressive style. At one time, Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention fame cut her teeth with Strawbs (a shortened name from their original, Strawberry Hill Boys) before moving on. And so began Strawbs magical output.

The Strawbs released album after album of extraordinary music including the expansive, and best of career, "Ghosts". That album yielded the hit, "Lemon Pie", included on this 'best of' compilation as well as "Ghosts", "Grace Darling", and "Starshine/Angel Wine". While the band produced many endearing and enduring albums for their loyal fans, their A&M output was their finest. Listening to the haunting "Autumn" from "Hero and Heroine" can reveal beauty as can "Ghosts".

Many of you reading this review of "The Best of The Strawbs - Millennium Collection" may not be aware of The Strawbs. I know how many times during music discussions where I have brought up The Strawbs, people would ask, "Who are The Strawbs?" And it always surprised me; largely because of the import of this band with their varied musical contributions. The landscape of their music incorporated folk, jazz, progressive rock, and other minute influences. With some 11 albums released by A&M, this compilation pales in it's representation of the best that Strawbs produced. This set only pulls from 4 A&M releases and therefore is, at best, representative of a period. But this period was the most essential of their career. And while that may be argued depending on which camp does the arguing, The Strawbs produced the most accessible stuff during this time.

"Part of the Union" from 1973's "Bursting at the Seams", is an anthemic jab at the unions of the day in Britain. Done in good fun, and complete with chant as chorus, this song and UK hit highlights the expansive talent and differently progressive ways of Strawbs, a hallmark that set them apart from other progressives of their time.

With lyrical diversity and keyboard ladened songs, Cousins and his revolving door band mates created beautifully entrancing material that cemented their rightful place in history even if most people were/are unaware of their existence. If you have ever wondered how progressive music evolved, outside of Yes, King Crimson, and Kansas, you owe it to yourself to hear one of rock's unknown pioneers. The Strawbs are clearly one of rock's forgotten childs, and as such, it's a great thing that A&M Records decided to resurrect diamonds for the uninitiated and for the faithful.

This collection of tunes was remastered for this set using 96k/24 bit technology and the music benefits from it. Unfortunately, much of Strawbs' releases are not in print, a shame considering the quality. It's been ages since I had any Strawbs LPs (I owned them all) and I've never acquired any CDs, if they were even available so I cannot comment on the improvements. But I can say this, I was in heaven listening to these tunes.

The booklet is standard 20th Century Masters fare; an 8 page fold that provides a brief biography of the band and track listing with credits. There are some photos that show the changing band as it morphed in their short career.

I recommend this release, although it is just a meager introduction to the band if you're experimenting, or a short change if you're a fan (a box set is required otherwise). However, it is a charming package that gives the fan a selection of songs, remastered, with which to listen to and remember the band as they made their way through rock's corridors.

Search Tour Database by: Artist City Venue

The Strawbs
The Best of The Strawbs
20th Century Masters
The Millennium Collection

Released: February 25, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 50:23
Tracks: 10
Produced by: Mike Ragogna
Engineered by: Various
Mastered by: Erick Labson at Universal Mastering/Hollywood
Style: Studio/Compilation
Format: CD
Enhancement: 96k/24bit Remastering
Label: A&M Records
Website:
N/A

Lay Down
Lemon Pie
Starshine/Angel Wine
Part of the Union
Hero and Heroine
Round and Round
Autumn
A) Heroine's Theme
B) Deep Summer's Sleep
C) The Winter Long
Grace Darling
Ghosts
A) Sweet Dreams
B) Night Light
C) Guardian Angel
Benedictus