Strawbs – The Magic Of It All (Cherry Red Records, 2023)
Strawbs, the legendary British progressive rock band that made waves in the early 1970s with chart-topping hits like ‘Grave New World’ and ‘Bursting at the Seams,’ is back with a brand-new studio album. Titled The Magic Of It All, this highly anticipated release was meticulously crafted in the vibrant city of Cape Town during the year 2022.
In an exciting collaboration, the founding members of Strawbs, namely David Cousins, Blue Weaver, and John Ford, joined forces with a handpicked ensemble of exceptionally talented musicians and singers from South Africa. This fusion of musical minds aimed to create an album that not only pays homage to Strawbs’ illustrious past, but also embraces the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa.
It was during a critical juncture in South Africa’s fight for freedom that the resonant songs of Strawbs, such as ‘Part of the Union,’ ‘Lay Down,’ and ‘New World,’ became anthems for the resistance movement against the oppressive policies of resettlement. The band’s albums soared in popularity, becoming cherished artifacts among music enthusiasts.
Recognizing the profound impact of Strawbs’ music, documentary filmmaker Niel van Deventer approached David Cousins with an intriguing proposal to produce a film chronicling the band’s influence across the globe. With the vision of capturing the essence of Strawbs’ creative process, the idea arose to film the recording sessions in a state-of-the-art studio nestled in Cape Town. David Cousins, with his remarkable songwriting talent, contributed a collection of his finest compositions, while Blue Weaver, renowned for his musical dexterity, undertook the role of producer and co-writer. Notably, John Ford lent his expertise to the project from his base in New York.
‘The Magic Of It All’ boasts eleven fresh tracks, each brimming with musical innovation and lyrical depth. These captivating melodies were recorded at the Academy of Sound Engineering in Cape Town in September 2022. Engineer Peter Pearlson, recognized for his work alongside Paul Simon on the groundbreaking ‘Graceland’ album, skillfully facilitated the recording process. Adding to the sonic tapestry, an exceptional ensemble of South African musicians, including Mauritz Lotz, Schalk Joubert, Kevin Gibson, Byron Abrahams, Simangele Mashazi, Marzia Barry, and Luna Paige, lent their talents to the album. Additionally, Cathryn Craig and Nicole Tee, distinguished singers from the United Kingdom, contributed their vocal prowess to this collaborative effort.
David Cousins expressed his delight in working within the vibrant atmosphere of the ‘Academy of Sound Engineering,’ a renowned institution training aspiring audio engineers. As they recorded, the band found themselves surrounded by eager students who assisted in studio setup and equipment arrangement. This symbiotic relationship allowed for a unique learning experience, not only for the students but also for David Cousins himself, who marveled at the magic that unfolded during the recording sessions.
For Blue Weaver, the experience of working in Cape Town was nothing short of enchanting. The presence of exceptional musicians and an engineer who effortlessly facilitated their creative endeavors made his role as a producer all the more seamless. Moreover, witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity about their recording techniques provided a gratifying exchange of knowledge. Weaver eagerly awaits the release of the documentary, particularly the behind-the-scenes footage that captured the essence of their time in the studio.
The album, The Magic Of It Al, offers an exclusive treat for fans, with the CD edition featuring two additional tracks not found on the vinyl version. The penultimate track, ‘The Lady Of The Night,’ serves as the conclusion to the album’s overarching narrative. Written as a lighthearted letter from David Cousins to Strawbs fans, it encapsulates the enduring musical legacy shared between the band and their loyal audience for over half a century. The final track, ‘Christmas Ghosts,’ acts as the proverbial cherry on top, representing the album’s magical essence. It serves as an enchanting summary of the entire collection, presenting the beguiling and charming qualities that have come to define the Strawbs’ body of work.
Musicians: David Cousins on vocals, acoustic guitar, electric dulcimer; Blue Weaver on piano, organ, Mellotron, accordion; John Ford on vocals; Mauritz Lotz on electric and acoustic guitars; Schalk Joubert on electric bass, double bass; Kevin Gibson on drums and percussion; Byron Abrahams on saxophones; Jonno Sweetman on drums (Slack Jaw Alice, Wiser Now); Marzia Barry on- vocals; Simangele Mashazi – vocals; Luna Paige on vocals; Cathryn Craig on vocals; Nicola Tee on vocals.
A strange album in that long time members Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk are absent but the album doesn’t suffer at all. 5 stars.
That is a slightly provocative comment but history will tell us who was right or wrong. Not that there is necessarily a right or wrong!
Long live the Strawbs!
I haven’t heard the whole CD for several reasons, some of which are well known among long time Strawbs fans. I must say that I was not predisposed to like this album, as I am a dedicated fan and friend of the Cronk, Lambert, Bainbridge, Fernandez and Cousins line-up.
And I can’t call this an honest Strawbs album. Where are the layered harmonies? If there is a Melotron, it is buried. And there are other problems.
But what I will say is that this album has grown on me with each listen. And if nothing else, it’s a damned fine Dave Cousins solo album. Forgive the imperfections, and allow this career finale to shine. His former bandmates are doing fine.
My one complaint is the two exclusive CD tracks. I don’t buy discs anymore. I downloaded the rest of the album from iTunes, but why should those of us who use mp3s be cheated out of songs? I’m also checking regularly to see if the RINGING DOWN THE YEARS album ever shows up as a download. I used to have the CD, but I had to let my collection go, and I find I’m missing some songs from that one.