The Strawbs include: Dave Cousins (vocals, acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars, banjo, dulcimer, recorder, piano, Chinese piano, percussion, tinklies); Tony Hooper (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, autoharp, percussion, tambourine); Dave Lambert (vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, harmonica); Chas Cronk (vocals, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, bass); John Ford (vocals, acoustic guitar, bass); Richard Hudson (vocals, sitar, drums, percussion, congas, cymbals); Rod Coombes (vocals, drums, congas, percussion); Claire Deniz (cello); Rick Wakeman (piano, Mellotron, organ, Moog synthesizer, celeste, harpsichord); Blue Weaver (piano, electric piano, Mellotron, organ); Ron Chesterman (bass). Additional personnel: Trevor Lucas, Anne Collins (vocals); Richard Wilson (spoken vocals); Alan Parker, Miller Anderson (guitar); Alan Weighell (cello); Nicky Hopkins, Tommy Eyre (piano); Tom Allom (organ, background vocals); Alan Hawkshaw, John Mealing (organ); John Lumley Savile (synthesizer); John Paul Jones, Roger Glover (bass); Bjarne Rostvold, Jon Hiseman (drums); Ray Cooper (percussion); Tom Newman (background vocals). Includes liner notes by John Tobler. Digitally remastered by Roger Wake (Bourbery-Wake Studios) and Chris Herles (Polygram Studios). Liner Note Author: John Tobler. Photographers: Gered Mankowitz; Al Kramer; Fin Costello. The title is entirely apt, as the Strawbs' 1969-75 tenure at A&M Records was their creative and commercial high point. Earlier sessions were somewhat tentative, and their post-A&M pop albums are a bit dull, unless you're really into mid-period Genesis. The albums covered by this exemplary two-disc anthology, though, are brilliant British folk-rock, as good as anything from the '70s. The Strawbs always had a progressive edge--Rick Wakeman was their keyboardist in the early days, after all--and it's the way that they wed Fairport Convention-style British folk-rock to more exploratory forms, with jazz and world influences, that make them so endlessly fascinating. This 35-song collection, including a smattering of rarities and unreleased tracks, is a perfect start for novices and a great collection for fans.
