DAVE COUSINS of STRAWBS is calling his first ever U.S. solo tour, STORIES AND SONGS because he is a storyteller. He is supporting two albums. SECRET PATHS is due in March, and features Melvin Duffy, who played steel guitar with Robbie Williams, Joe Cocker and Zucchero. His other recent release is THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT, his second solo album in his nearly 40 years of recording. BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT features the talents of the professionals who make up the impressive Blue Angel Orchestra. The infectious enthusiasm of this grouping shines through, giving the album very much a band feel, which is astonishing given how little they have so far played together.Dave is making this tour a very intimate showcase, singing and playing his acoustic guitar. His friend Ian Cutler, who plays violin on THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT, will be supporting Dave in concert. Ian portrayed the young fiddle player in the horror cult film THE WICKER MAN.
THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT features ten brand new Cousins' songs. Guitarist Miller Anderson guests on the album, as he did on Dave's 1972 album, TWO WEEKS LAST SUMMER, which continues to sell well to this day. The rhythm section comprises Chas Cronk of Strawbs on bass, with drummer Chris Hunt who played for many years with Lonnie Donegan.
Dave Cousins has been the leader and main songwriter of Strawbs from the release of the band's first album (STRAWBS) in 1968 on A&M, to the present day. In the 1970s the band was at its peak with major chart albums GRAVE NEW WORLD and BURSTING AT THE SEAMS in the UK, followed by huge success in the USA and Canada with HERO AND HEROINE and GHOSTS. Strawbs sold over 3 million albums in that period and spent 55 weeks on the Billboard charts with seven successive albums in the period 1972-1977.
THE BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT is produced by Chris Tsangarides whose studio is littered with gold discs for albums by Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and many more.
DAVE COUSINS' "STORIES AND SONGS" SOLO TOUR, MARCH 2008
March 5 Strand Theatre Lakewood NJ
March 6 Cutting Room New York NY
March 7 Tin Angel Philadelphia PA
March 8 Towne Crier Pawling NY
March 9 NJ Prog House Metuchen NJ
March 10 Kroghs Sparta NJ
March 11 Turning Point Piermont NY
March 12 German House Rochester NY
March 13 Hugh’s Room Toronto ON
March 14 Winchester Cleveland OH
March 15 Kent Stage Kent OH
March 16 Abbey Chicago IL
March 18 Shank Hall Milwaukee WI
March 21 Mersey House Liverpool NS
March 22 Fire Hall Mount Uniack NS
Fans can download Dave’s albums, BOY IN THE SAILOR SUIT and SECRET PATHS, and Strawbs catalog at
http://www.pinnacle-digital.co.uk/witchwood/
http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk
