01	Ghosts						08:31
	02	Lemon Pie						04:03
	03	Starshine/Angel Wine						05:15
	04	Where do you go(When you need a hole to crawl in)						03:02
	05	The Life Auction						06:52
	06	Don't try to change me						04:27
	07	Remembering						00:54
	08	You and I(when we were young)						04:04
	09	Grace Darling						03:55
	10	Changes Arrange Us						03:55

David Cousins (Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Recorder)
Dave Lambert (Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars)
John Hawken (Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Mellotron, Moog Synthesizer, Hammond Organ, Pipe Organ)
Chas Cronk (Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Rod Coombes (Drums, Congas, Percussion, Backing Vocals)

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Ghosts was the last album by the Strawbs to appear while the band was on its upward curve of commercial success; a more lyrical follow-up to Hero & Heroine, it was the group's last thrust at wide-audience appeal, with a hoped for-hit ("Lemon Pie") that didn't materialize. The group's mix of acoustic guitars, electric lead and bass, and Rod Coombes' heavy drumming was very compelling on this, their smoothest album; the title track introduction, mixing multiple overdubbed harpsichords, acoustic guitars, and church bells was a gorgeous beginning, and the melodies only got better further into the album. The hauntingly beautiful "Starshine/Angel Wine" was a magnificent successor to "Lay Down" off of Bursting at the Seams, with a moment of Led Zeppelin-like flash from Dave Lambert's playing in the break, while "The Life Auction" was a bigger, bolder follow-up to "The Hangman and the Papist." The original finale, "Grace Darling," is probably the prettiest tune Dave Cousins ever wrote. Alas, Ghosts would be the group's last record to be released before the changes in music - with the introduction of punk rock in the middle of the '70s - began hemming them in, and they never again put out an album with as much panache as this. Previously available on CD only from Japan, in 1998 Ghosts was reissued by A&M in England with a sharp, clean digital sound that greatly enhanced the rich textures of the playing, and one bonus track, Rod Coombes' unexpectedly lyrical "Changes Arrange Us," which had previously been available only as a single B-side. (British import) - Bruce Eder

1. Ghosts: Sweet Dreams/Night Light/Guardian... (Cousins) - 8:31
2. Lemon Pie (Cousins) - 4:03
3. Starshine/Angel Wine - 5:15
4. Where Do You Go (When You Need a Hole to... - 3:02
5. The Life Auction: Impressions of Soulhall... - 6:52
6. Don't Try to Change Me - 4:27
7. Remembering - 0:54
8. You and I (When We Were Young) - 4:04
9. Grace Darling - 3:55
10. Changes Arrange Us - 3:55

Dave Cousins - Guitar (Acoustic), Banjo, Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals
The Strawbs - Arranger
Rod Coombes - Percussion, Conga, Drums, Vocals (bckgr)
Charles Cronk - Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Guitar (Bass), Vocals (bckgr)
Claire Deniz - Cello
John Hawken - Organ, Piano, Harpsichord, Keyboards, Organ (Hammond), Piano (Electric), Moog Synthesizer, Mellotron
Dave Lambert - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals

1998 CD A&M 540937
1975 LP A&M 4506



Strawbs - "Ghosts" (1975) "Ghosts" can be counted as the last classic Strawbs-album, even if it included light weighted fillers like "Where do you Go (When You Need a Hole to Crawl In)" and "Don't Try to Change Me". The other songs here are so strong that they more than enough makes up for that. This was actually the Strawbs-album that had most of what you could describe as "suites". First of all you have the superb title-track. It starts with a quiet and harmonious acoustic part with lots of harpsichord, acoustic guitars and of course Cousins' very distinctive voice. It slowly builds up to the dramatic main-part of the song, and this could be described as energetic and melodic progressive rock at its best. Even more dramatic and symphonic is the powerful and heavy "The Life Auction". Cousin's way of singing here is actually not all that far from Peter Gabriel, which of course gives the track a slight Genesis-feel. "Starshine/Angel Wine" has a structure quite similar to "Down by the Sea" and the band again proved that progressive rock could be catchy and immediate. "Grace Darling" is one of the band's most beautiful ballads, and includes a great choir-arrangement. And if they had added a flute, the single "Lemon Pie" would have sounded a lot like what Jethro Tull were doing around at the same time. But the band was starting to lose the attention of the audience, and this would of course result in desperate attempts at a more commercial style on the albums that still was to come.


Strawbs - "Deep Cuts" (1976) Dave Cousins himself insists that this is one of the very best albums his band ever made. That statement is really hard to understand as "Deep Cuts" sounds like a typical example of a progressive rock band who tried to keep up with changing trends in the second part of the 70's in an attempt at stopping the downward-tendency in their record-sales and decreasing popularity. The opening track "I Only Want My Love to Grow in You" sounds scarily much like Dr. Hook and that's probably no coincidence as that awful soft-pop/quasi-country band enjoyed lots of success around the same time. The faceless AOR of "Turn Me Round" was obviously directed toward the US-audience and even the Mellotron can't save this one. "My Friend Peter" is a very average and unoriginal rocker, and the two ballads on the album are both far too slick and boring. "The Soldier's Tale" is the first track here that is close to sounding like decent Strawbs. The second side of the album is a little bit better. Here you get "Simple Visions" and "Charmer". Both are rather commercial, but they are at least catchy and good songs. But "Beside the Rio Grande" remains the only track on the album that really reminds us of how great Strawbs could be at their best. It would have fitted nicely into "Grave New World". But most of Strawbs' personality and progressive elements are thrown out of the window on this album.


Strawbs - Ghosts

Released: 1974/1998
Label: A&M
Cat. No.: 540 937-2
Total Time: 43:35


Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, July 2004
Except in reference to Rick Wakeman, I had not really heard of Strawbs. And, I had not heard them at all. Of course, when they were announced for the NEARfest 2004 lineup, I knew I would have to become a least passingly familiar with the band, especially as they were headliners. So, armed with a comment that Ghosts was one of their classics (actually, it was the NEARfest site that said that, checking), that has become my starting point, and I'm glad I did. Recorded nearly 30 years ago (they began in July 1974), Ghosts is a wonderfully rich and diverse album, at times having a bit of a southern rock feel, at other times a very proggy, Genesis-like feel ... I even thought of Cat Stevens at one point. And, in reading the liner notes after coming to these impressions, the Cat Stevens comparison is apt, as vocalist/guitarist Dave Cousins was good friends with Stevens. And, "You And I (When We Were Young)" was recording in the church at the school members of Genesis attended, Charterhouse School. Of course, what I hear of Genesis is a dramatic, theatrical element employed by Peter Gabriel, not the acoustics of a location. Oddly, aside from the tracks where the vocals sound decidedly English, you might think you are listening to an American band. I've not decided yet entirely whether I like this because of the references I hear in the music, or in its own right, but I think it's a terrific album nonetheless, delivering what I like in music - diversity, drama, humour, seriousness, darkness, lightness... emotion...

The album opens with the intense title track "Ghosts." It is on this track, one of my favourites of the album, that I also thought of Guy Manning - that is, he being influenced by Strawbs, of course, not the other way around. I asked Manning that question, he says no. But if you listen to his work, and this one of the Strawbs', there is an eerie connection. Nevermind the common theme of nightmares, as "Ghost" deals with the same subject as Manning has. It is the middle passage, "Night Light" (sung by lead guitarist Dave Lambert) that is the most intense, and urgent, especially in the vocals. The insistent guitar solo only underscores the heightened energy here - that hard pounding panic one feels during nightmares, what ever they be. The track itself begins slowly with the sound of harpsichords (John Hawken); within short order, acoustic guitars are added (a bit like Yes, though Wakeman had left the band by the time of this album's recording). The vocals are rich and deep voice, the arrangement sparse, yet textured. The more relaxed final section, "Guardian Angel," keeps the track rolling along with the rumbling drums of Rod Coombes (once of Stealer's Wheel). In the background, you hear chiming bells, the recording of which Cousins discusses in the liner notes.

The other track that is a bit darker is gloomy, moody "The Life Auction." At first we get highly treated vocals that get deeper and creepier as they progress. This leads into a more Genesis-like section, mainly the use of Mellotron and vocals, which truly sound like Nursery Cryme/Foxtrot era-Gabriel, but also too in the arrangement. Ah, but the music is much more intense, heavier in feel. Not as in metal, but as in being oppressive... kinda Pink Floydy in that... yes, The Wall did come to mind, though that was still six years or so off (but I'm not adverse to anachronistic references, so there).

This is followed up by the seemingly sunnier, and yet still Genesis like at times "Don't Try To Change Me." That sunniness comes from the light, taut guitar bits that accent the verses... oh, those happy, sunny 60s sounds from Herman's Hermits, The Hollies, etc. And yet a dark underside that makes that sunniness seem a little false, or a little sinister, as the case may be. Nothing sinister here, but that upbeat nature underscores the protagonists determination to remain who he is.

The Strawbs started as bluegrass band in the late 60's, and this country, twangy element comes through in "Lemon Pie" (a song Cousins wrote for his wife). It's the guitars that will make you think of Southern Rock, and for me, of the Allman Brothers and the like specifically. It's a tart guitar sound, high and sweet, and yet not "pretty." So too does the honky-tonky-esque (especially that rolling piano) "Where Do You Go (When You Need A Hole To Crawl In)," a piece that will make you think of Bob Dylan, the Doobie Brothers, and of Keith Emerson's western-themed ELP excursions.

"Starshine/Angel Wine" is a mellower piece; piano, percussion, and strings all give this a very 70s feel - well, yes, it was the 70s, what a silly thing to say. But, oddly, it doesn't sound dated at all. In fact, none of it sounds dated, though clearly there is a decidedly 70s-ness about it. This piece, before it kicks into a higher gear, made me think of Don McLean. Once in the rockier mode, well, it's classic rock all the way.

The solo electronic piano piece "Remembering" leads right into "You And I (When We Were Young)," which adds vocals, the latter giving us another look at the band, a bit of a lullaby really and another where I thought of Manning and of Cat Stevens. Later, we get a shimmery, floaty, slidy guitar solo. This is one of those "lighters alight" kind of song, when you imagine live a hush comes over the audience as they sway to and fro together. It's an intimate piece, warm and comfortable, reflective. Very nice.

Great album, especially for the title track (as I said).

Rating: 5/5

More about Ghosts:

Track Listing: Ghosts (1. Sweet Dreams - 2. Night Light - 3. Guardian Angel) (8:30) / Lemon Pie (4:02) / Starshine/Angel Wine (5:15) / Where Do You Go (When You Need A Whole To Crawl In) (3:03) / The Life Auction (1. Impressions Of Southall From The Train - 2. The Auction) (6:52) / Don't Try To Change Me (4:28) / Remembering (0:55) / You And I (When We Were Young) (4:04) / Grace Darling (3:54) / Bonus Track: Changes Arrange Us (3:52)

Musicians:
David Cousins - vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, recorder
Dave Lambert - vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
John Hawken - piano, electric piano, harpsichord, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer, Hammond organ, pipe organ
Chas. Cronk - bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Rod Coombes - drums, congas, percussion, backing vocals

Contact:

Website: www.strawbpage.ndirect.co.uk/
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Discography

Sandy Denny & the Strawbs (1968)
Strawbs (1969)
Dragonfly (1970)
Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios (1970)
From The Witchwood (1971)
Grave New World (1972)
Bursting At The Seems (1973/2003*)
Sandy And The Strawbs: All Our Own Work (1973)
Hero And Heroine (1974/1998*/2003*)
Strawbs By Choice (1974)
Ghosts (1974)
Nomadness (1975)
Deep Cuts (1976)
Burning For You (1977)
Deadlines (1978)
Don't Say Goodbye (1987)
Preserves Uncanned (1991)
Sandy And The Strawbs (1991)
Ringing Down The Years (1991)
Greatest Hits Live (1993)
A Choice Selection Of Strawbs (1993)
Heartbreak Hill (1995)
BBC In Concert (1995)
Halcyon Days (1997)
Concert Classics (1999)
The Complete Strawbs (Chiswick '98) (2000)
Acoustic Strawbs: Baroque & Roll (2001)
Tears And Pavan: An Introduction (2002)
20th Century Masters - The Millenium Edition (2003)
Blue Angel (2003)
Deja Fou (2004)