9/6/10

ACOUSTIC STRAWBS EXPERIENCE ANOTHER EQUINOX IN THE STATES



David Cousins, Dave Lambert, and Chas Cronk Offer Intimate Versions of Strawbs Classics


As summer transitions into fall, the Acoustic Strawbs will observe the Autumnal Equinox, not at Stonehenge, but among the more modern edifices of New York City.  Moving into their fifth decade of musical innovation, they will spend dates around the Equinox in the Midwest, East Coast and then electric Strawbs shows in Canada, continuing the tour that has charmed audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
 
David Cousins who was hailed, “the most talented Dylan influenced songwriter to come out of England,” by the influential All Music Guide, still leads the group. Strawbs often are mentioned in the same breath as progressive rockers like Yes, The Moody Blues, and Renaissance.  In fact, Rick Wakeman left Strawbs to join Yes, and Wakeman's son Oliver, who has replaced his father in Yes, played with the most recent electric version of Strawbs!

Beyond progressive rock, Strawbs brought another key component to their complex and intricate songs. Initially they fell in with the British Folk movement of the mid-'60s, starting life as the Strawberry Hill Boys and playing bluegrass.  Even so, frontman Cousins maintains, “I've never sung a folk song in my life!”

Moving more into the mainstream, the Strawbs joined forces with Sandy Denny. They recorded their first album with her for a Danish label. While she left them soon afterwards to join the seminal Fairport Convention, this record brought them to the attention of A&M records, which promptly signed them.  The Strawbs were the first English band on the A&M roster.

On the strength of albums like Grave New World, Bursting at the Seams, Hero and Heroine, and Ghosts, and songs like “Benedictus,” “Lay Down,” and “A Glimpse of Heaven,” Strawbs has retained a devoted following, a fan base that continues to grow.  This acoustic tour features singer/guitarist Cousins, 37-year-long Strawb guitarist Dave Lambert and 36-year-long member bassist Chas Cronk. The group will also play five nights in Canada as the full electric Strawbs line-up.

On the American dates, fans can also buy recent CDs including, All Our Own Work by Sandy Denny and the Strawbs (sorry, no press copies), the Acoustic Strawbs Live at Hampton Court Palace and Dancing to the Devil's Beat, as well as Cousins' book Secrets, Stories & Songs (sorry, no press copies available). 
 
ACOUSTIC STRAWBS TOUR DATES
Thursday 9 September  The Ark Ann Arbor MI
Friday 10 September   Abbey Chicago IL
Saturday 11 September  Beachland Ballroom Cleveland OH opener: Jann Klose
Sunday 12 September   Thunderbird Cafe Pittsburg, PA
Tuesday 14 September  The Turning Point Cafe Piermont NY
Wednesday 15 September   Music on Main Street Woodbridge NJ
Thursday 16 September   Sellersville Theatre Sellersville PA
Friday 17 September Strand Theatre Lakewood NJ opener: Patrick Fitzsimmons
Saturday 18 September   Towne Crier Pawling NJ
Sunday 19 September  University CafĂ© Stony Brook NY

Tuesday 21 September   BB King's New York NY opener: Aztec Two-Step
Wednesday 22 September   Showcase Live Foxborough MA
Thursday 23 September  8th Step at Proctors  Schenectady, NY
Friday 24 September   Redhouse Syracuse NY
Saturday 25 September  Lovin' Cup Rochester NY 

ELECTRIC STRAWBS DATES
Saturday 2 October   The Place  Hamilton
Tuesday 5 October   Hugh's Room Toronto
Wednesday 6 October   Hugh's Room Toronto
Thursday 7 October  Outremont Theatre Montreal
Friday  8 October  Barrymore’s  Ottawa
  
          

http://www.strawbsweb.co.uk

http://www.witchwoodrecords.co.uk