The Strawbs - Concert Classics, Volume 6 (1999)

Progressive rock, or "prog-rock' to its many fans, never really went away at the close of the '70s – it merely went underground, where it continues to ensnare adolescent males with its fusion of folk, psychedelic rock and classical influences. In any discussion of prog rock as an art form, the same names are always thrown about – Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, ELP...even obscures ones like Atomic Rooster – but seldom will the Strawbs' name be brought up.

With relatively little chart success in the United States, Strawbs did somewhat better in their British homeland, marking up a succession of hit singles during the early-70s. With a sound that derived more from the folk side of the prog rock equation, Strawbs had a rich history, counting among its early members a pre-Fairport Convention Sandy Denny and a pre-Yes Rick Wakeman. The band released better than a dozen original albums from the late-60s into the mid-80s, a recording legacy that is in sad disarray. The band has mostly disappeared from the musical landscape, a sad situation only partially addressed by the domestic release of Concert Classics Volume 6 by Renaissance Records.

The lively performance captured by Concert Classics Volume 6 is not credited as to date and venue, but I'm guessing that it's from a late-70s show, judging from the tracklist, and possibly taken from a radio broadcast. It serves as a solid introduction to the magic of Strawbs, the band delivering a strong acoustic-based set. Originally formed as a bluegrass trio called the Strawberry Hill Boys by guitarist David Cousins, the band went through several changes in members and artistic direction before solidifying as Strawbs in 1969. Cousins could be considered a minor visionary, an adventuresome artist who pioneered the blending of folk roots and hard rock. Concert Classics Volume 6 showcases this musical style, with Cousins leading the band through eight songs drawn from at least five different albums that I can find. A few of the cuts here were bonafide hits, including the grand, eclectic "Hero And Heroine;" the powerful, hard-rocking "Heartbreaker," with its rapid-fire keyboard washes; and the eerie "Ghosts." The more pop-influenced "Simple Visions" is a stand-out track, sounding as fresh today as it did almost twenty-five years ago, Cousins' jangly guitar sound and sing-along verses a precursor to a lot of the college radio rock that would follow in the '80s.

As mentioned above, the entire Strawbs catalog is in significant disarray, with only this live disc and a couple of various greatest hits retrospectives available domestically. Strawbs were an important part of the prog-rock movement, an original and unique band that sounded like nobody before them and nobody since. If you're into progressive rock, you owe it to yourself to check out a different facet of the genre. Strawbs' Concert Classics Volume 6 is as good a place as any to begin familiarizing yourself with the band. Also, a handful of the band's original albums are available as import CDs from England, Germany and Sweden, among them their 1973 breakthrough album Grave New World, 1975's Ghosts and a twofer that combines Deep Cuts and Burning For You from 1976 and 1977. A fair amount of their recorded output can be found on vinyl, however – if you're interested, check your local used record store. (Renaissance Records)

(Click on the CD cover to buy Concert Classics, Volume 6 from Amazon.com)