Live At The BBC Vol. Two : In Concert

構成数 : 2枚
合計収録時間 : 02:33:27
Liner Note Author: Dave Cousins. Recording information: Golders Green Hippodrome (03/25/1973); Paris Theatre, London (03/25/1973); Golders Green Hippodrome (04/11/1974); Paris Theatre, London (04/11/1974); Golders Green Hippodrome (08/05/1971); Paris Theatre, London (08/05/1971). The Strawbs were reaching the peak of their U.K. popularity when the 31 tracks on this two-CD set were recorded for three separate BBC broadcasts on August 5, 1971; March 25, 1973, and April 11, 1974. Several key factors distinguish this from the run-of-the-mill BBC compilation, starting with its length, as there's over two-and-a-half hours' worth of material. Also, these aren't exactly sessions; they're performances from live concerts, and as there's quite a bit of material from each one, it's almost like getting three live albums. In addition, there's not much repetition of songs, though there are two versions apiece of "The Hangman and the Papist," "Tears/Pavan," "New World," "The River/Down By the Sea," and "Lay Down." Finally, there's not much duplication of songs on the (also recommended) Live at the BBC, Vol. 1: In Session single-disc compilation of 1968-1973 sessions; only a half-dozen tunes appear on both sets (in different versions). The sound is excellent, and the juxtaposition of three concerts essentially allows you to hear three different Strawbs with three different keyboardists: the lineup with Rick Wakeman on the 1971 concert, the one with Blue Weaver on the 1973 show, and the one with John Hawken on the 1974 gig. The constant is the somber, though not quite bombastic, folk-rock-progressive musical mood and storytelling flavor of the songs, usually written and sung by Dave Cousins. In a way, it's a document of their evolution from folk-rock to progressive rock, though the folk ingredients are considerably more muted here than they are on Live at the BBC, Vol. 1: In Session, owing to the absence of material from earlier years. Though most of the songs are taken from their early- to mid-'70s albums, a few obscure items that didn't appear on those show up as well, like Rick Wakeman's instrumental showcase "R.M.W.," "When You Were a Tulip," which spotlights Cousins' folk banjo, and the uncharacteristic, tossed-off, satirical, rather dispensable "Bovver Blues." Of course, Strawbs chestnuts like "Part of the Union," "Benedictus," "Hero and Heroine," and "Witchwood" are here too. Throughout, the playing and vocal harmonies are impressive, with the occasional exotic spice of synthesizer and Cousins' banjo and dulcimer. It may be a little pompous for staunch folk-rockers, or not heavy enough for serious prog rockers, but for those who appreciate the niche the Strawbs carved out between the styles, it's a very worthwhile addition to their extensive catalog of archive releases. ~ Richie Unterberger
録音 : ステレオ (Live)