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Tickets £13.50 in advance

Doors 8.00pm

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Strawbs

 8.45pm

This will be a standing gig.

We first booked the The Strawbs about 16 years ago and they are still one of the best and hardest working bands we have ever promoted. It is therefore one gig we are greatly looking forward to. We are waiting for the latest press release to come through, so please check back for up to date info on the legendary Strawbs.

Tom Barton previews the return of one of the UK’s leading live bands.

Being of a certain mature age, I have seen many, many bands in my time. Without doubt, one of the best I’ve ever seen is the Strawbs. Their gigs are sensational due to hard work, passion and outstanding musicianship. Because of their rich heritage, the music is varied and draws on several genres.

I guess what sets the Strawbs apart from many other rock bands is that they cut their teeth on British Folk, they even had the pleasure of working and recording with folk chanteuse Sandy Denny before she joined Fairport Convention. As soon as they added keyboard player Rick Wakeman, the Strawbs went the way of wizard rock, creating some of the most painstakingly arranged and dramatically performed Progressive Rock to come from Great Britain.

Strawbs have a fabulous pedigree. Originally known as the Strawberry Hill Boys, they started out as a bluegrass band and eventually moved on to other styles - folk rock, glam rock and progressive rock. They first hit the charts in the UK and Europe in the early 1970’s with Grave New World and Bursting at the Seams. As well as the successful albums, their hit singles Part of the Union and Lay Down were very popular chart toppers. And of course both songs become anthemic at their live gigs, real show-stoppers.

In the mid -1970’s they concentrated their attention on the United States and Canada where their albums, including the classics Hero & Heroine and Ghosts, spent over fifty-two weeks on the Billboard charts. Their popularity grew due to the touring appearing alongside the likes of Santana, Peter Frampton, The Eagles, REO Speedwagon, Joe Walsh, Blue Oyster Cult, King Crimson and Frank Zappa.

Dave Cousins is a great frontman and undoubtedly the heart and soul of the band being also the main songwriter and lead singer. Cousins' deep, epic songs are the cornerstone of the band's appeal, delivered in his unmistakable vocal style and accompanied by characteristic twelve or six string acoustic guitar over a rock backing. Alongside his musical activities Cousins has also maintained a parallel career in both marketing and local radio. In fact, Cousins hard-working ethic is what the Strawbs are all about. One thing is for sure, they enjoy themselves on stage and so does the fans.

So this one gets a very strong recommendation. The line-up is Dave Cousins - vocals and guitars, Dave Lambert - guitars and vocals, Chas Cronk - bass guitar and vocals, Rod Coombes - drum and Oliver Wakeman – keyboards (he’s the son of Rick of course.) Tom Barton