| The Classic Rock Society recently
presented Dave Cousins, leader of The Strawbs, with the Lifetime
Achievement Award, celebrating thirty years in rock music. The
award was presented by former member of the group, Rick Wakeman.
Thirty years on from their huge album chart successes, 'Grave
New World' and 'Bursting at the Seams', the Strawbs now tour
three times a year with an acoustic line-up - Dave Cousins on
guitar, dulcimer, banjo and vocals, Dave Lambert on guitar and
vocals, plus 70's band member Chas Cronk on guitar, bass and
vocals.
The Strawbs have enjoyed major success on both
sides of the Atlantic. In the early 1970s, as well as the hit
albums, their hit singles "Part of the Union" and "Lay
Down" topped the charts. From the mid-1970s they spent
more time in the States and Canada where their albums charted
for five years as they toured, among others, with Santana,
The Eagles, Peter Frampton, Blue Oyster Cult, Joe Walsh, King
Crimson, and Frank Zappa.
Acoustic Strawbs have recently toured Italy to
critical acclaim and played three nights at the Edinburgh Festival
at the prestigious Music Hall in the Scotsman Assembly Rooms.
The trio have also finished recording their first studio album
in ten years including several new songs such as 'There Will
Come The Day', written by Dave Cousins for a film on human
rights for the Council of Europe, and 'Not All The Flowers
Grow' which reflects on the Aberfan tragedy, together with
new acoustic versions of classic Strawbs tracks. On the album
they are also reunited for three tracks with Robert Kirby,
perhaps best known for his arrangements on the Nick Drake albums.
Acoustic Strawbs play classic Strawbs songs with
the integrity and musicianship for which the band has been
always been recognised.
www.strawbsweb.co.uk
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