Strawbs: The Lostbrook Strawbs Collection Volume 1


CQ and I were never quite sure what to do with the more than twenty tapes that comprise my Strawbs collection. We released four of the recordings during our Lostbrook Tape Series but didn't want to overload the series with one band. I always thought of the collection as a separate series, or perhaps a series within a series. In the end, we decided to leave the project on the shelf.


We will be releasing these tapes chronologically, with the exception of those that have been previously offered:

1975-12-04 LBTS Vol 105
1976-12-03 LBTS Vol 27
1984-12-11 11PM LBTS Vol 75
2004-10-20 LBTS Vol 99


We begin with the Strawbs return to the New York stage after an eight year absence. While this was not the Hero and Heroine/Ghosts/Nomadness lineup that performed at the peak of the band's popularity, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to see a group that we thought had permanently disappeared.
John, Sue, Rich, Allison, and I showed up early for the 11:00 show, having missed the 8:00 performance because of work. We wanted to guarantee ourselves the front table, but we need not have worried since we were the only people on line due to snow and extreme cold. The early show was clearly audible as we huddled outside the door of the club. We didn't want to know what songs were on the set list, so we decided to have a snowball fight in Washington Square Park instead. The doors eventually opened, and we settled into the warmth of the front table, a position we would occupy for four more Strawbs shows - two the next day and two more when they returned the following week. I tend to remember these five shows as a singular experience, but a close listen to each tape reveals how wonderfully different they all were. Each show consisted of a core group of songs, with several different tunes each set. Dave's stories continuously evolved as he added more detail and humor. For this and upcoming volumes of the collection, I'll list some notable moments.


1984-12-05 11PM:

Ten of fourteen songs I had never seen in concert before.
The "Susan George Intro" (This story grew every night.)
The stunningly dramatic Hangman and the Papist (with the loud beer bottle clink at the climax.)
The bittersweet beauty of the Sandy Denny tribute, Ringing Down The Years.
The story of Grace Darling.
Every show: Hudson and Ford's acoustic spot.
Every show: Dave and Brian's acoustic offerings.
Every show: the power of New World/The River/Down By The Sea.


For those who will be following this series, you should be aware that CQ is not a Strawbs fan but has generously undertaken this extra workload to bring these recordings to you.

The Strawbs can be an acquired taste. I encourage those who are not already on board to take a sip. Perhaps you'll join me for the entire journey.



1984-12-05 11PM
The Bottom Line
New York, NY
USA


Recording Equipment: Internal Mic>Sanyo M2533>Maxell UDXLII 90
Transfer: Maxell UDXLII 90>Alesis Tapelink USB>Audacity>WAV>CQ Mastering>FLAC


Taper: Lostbrook
Mastering: CQ
Artwork: ethiessen1


01 Intro (1:32)
02 Back In The Old Routine (4:45)
03 Stormy Down (4:38)
04 The Hangman And The Papist (4:42)
05 Josephine, For Better Or For Worse (5:01)
06 A Glimpse Of Heaven (5:20)
07 Burn Baby Burn (4:54)
08 Heavy Disguise (4:52)*
09 Ringing Down The Years (8:24)**
10 Grace Darling (6:28)**
11 New World (4:01)
12 The River>Down By The Sea (10:27)
13 Lay Down (5:49)
14 Part Of The Union (3:29)

* Hudson/Ford
** Cousins/Willoughby


Dave Cousins - guitars, vocals
Tony Hooper - guitars, vocals
Richard Hudson - drums, vocals
John Ford - bass, guitar, vocals
Chris Parren - keyboards
Brian Willoughby - guitars

Images for all shows as well as full size images for this show.

Images for this show: