The Strawbs: The Greatest Band that No One Knows About

I have always been interested in music. Growing up in a middle class, hardworking family presented me with many opportunities to listen and even play several strains of music, and gave me the respect that effort and dedication would give if placed in the right place. It was quite easy to fall in love with the modern rock and pop music that continuously played on the radios back then, when AM and FM stations introduced hundreds of acts and songs each year. It's difficult to pick one or a few bands that became favorites. As I've matured I have narrowed down the list but have also had the chance to update it whenever hearing something special.

Chances are you are going to get a quizzical look on your face. One of the greatest bands of what is sometimes called the Golden Era of Rock, and in particular the Progressive Rock genre, is one that many people I talk to about music have never heard of. Their sound combines several strains of music such as folk, electric rock, country, and even classical. Their heyday was the mid-70s into the early 80s, and they had multiple lineup changes in their history. The band? It was known originally as the Strawberry Hill Boys but is better known as The Strawbs, and their story is one of missed opportunity and bad timing.

My first introduction to the sounds of the Strawbs occurred in the 1970s while I was in college. A guitar playing friend of mine invited me to stay over his house for a night and share a few beers and some popcorn. He asked me to listen and critique an album he had recently purchased, one called "Hero and Heroine". I was immediately captivated by the quality of the work and the beauty of the themes. I had always been enthusiastic about classical music and the Strawbs sound seemed to borrow from the melodies and harmonies of such great composers as Beethoven and Brahms. Hints of country and folk traditional music were spread in between the lyrics, colorful and compelling. When I got back home I immediately went out and bought it.

In those days, there were no cds or digital tracks. Analog recording was scratched into vinyl surfaces called "lps", or albums, and after some time the wear and tear would alter the quality of the sound. I replaced that album at least twice, finally purchasing a copy on compact disc when the new technology presented itself. I still have it and play it regularly.

The band had several members, some who left the band and came back later. The longest running perhaps untitled leader of the band has to be Dave Cousins, a prolific writer and guitarist. Through several changes with lead guitarists the most important and influential addition to the band was Dave Lambert, who had a sound that reminded me of Steve Hackett of Genesis fame. One earlier member of the band was Rick Wakeman, a very young, classically trained keyboardist who, it seems, was "stolen" from the band at the time of its greatest potential by the legendary group Yes. Soon after the group found a quality replacement in the person of Blue Weaver, and then John Hawken, my favorite. This lineup became the most noted and the most famous.

Why didn't they become commercial successes if their music was so great? They were competing with a market, shrunken in the 1970s by economic woes in the marketplace, that was filled with acts like Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and of course a Genesis with both Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins in the fold. Their marketing was not as aggressive as other bands, and their popularity never grew to its true potential. It didn't help that Rick Wakeman left at the worst time possible.

There are several albums that are worth having, although you may have to search for copies of them. Besides the critically acclaimed "Hero and Heroine", the following work "Ghosts" has the same personnel as its predecessor, and truly is a work of genius. Many of their works have been digitally remastered and reissued on compact disc and are available through various on line outlets. Two other highly recommended issues are "Grave New World", an album that included Wakeman before he left, and "Bursting at the Seams". In every instance the sound is distinct and haunting, feelings that are hard to come by in today's music. A listener will find him or herself hypnotized by the flowing lines of notes coming from the works. One of my favorite is the song "Grace Darling", which Cousins tells the story of why and how he wrote it on the jacket of "Ghosts". It is worth listening to.

The Strawbs are still playing today. Most of their performances are acoustic and slimmed down, but many of the old performers enjoy the stage together. The most interesting thing I noticed on their site is that the group has toured the last few years, off and on, with Rick Wakeman's son, Oliver, who is as prolific a keyboardist as his father. Electric concerts are still on the schedule, but not as often as the old days. Cousins and Lambert remain as the driving force behind their rebirth and the rest of the band joins in when possible. There also are existing videos of their performances, both old and more recent, on such sites as You Tube. It is worth checking out.

They remain one of my favorite, and most beloved, bands of all. After growing up in an era of intense, complicated, and progressive works, I find the Strawbs' music both stimulating and stirring. I highly recommend downloading or purchasing their music from somewhere, however you can find it. The posting of their official site, http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/index0.htm. It is worth watching, listening, and keeping up with what they are doing and where they are going. It will be worth bookmarking.

In today's music world it is difficult to find a sound that makes the listener tap their foot or hum the melody. I truly believe that this is one of them. I can only hope of creating a sound that stimulates the soul as theirs does. It doesn't matter that the Strawbs did not become as famous or wealthy as the Stones or the Beatles. Go to the website and enjoy!

Source: George-Warren, H, Romanowski, P, Pareles, J; (2001). The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Third Edition, A Rolling Stone Press Book, New York.