THE ENGINE ROOM

The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music

- By Lin Bensley

Nowadays when people discuss the folk/rock movement they usually cite Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and even Pentangle, but rarely mention the Strawbs, who played a hybrid version all their own.

Originally formed as the Strawberry Hill Boys in 1964 by Dave Cousins (vocals/various instruments) and Tony Hooper (guitar and vocals), they were primarily a bluegrass band, but as Cousins' songwriting markedly improved he gravitated towards the folk/rock genre, to become one of its founding fathers.

In 1967, for the sake of expediency, they shortened the name to the Strawbs, and when Cousins saw Sandy Denny performing in a nightclub he invited her to join the band. Together they recorded an album, All Our Own Work, for Sonet in Copenhagen, which, irrespective of its instant appeal, was inexplicably shelved until 1973.

Despite this setback, the band began to pick up a following and, upon landing a recording deal with A&M, they released their self-titled debut in 1969 to a fanfare of critical approval. The lyrical and musical mastery that Cousins had exhibited on the previous album is even more in evidence here, laden with biblical and historical references enhanced by the use of descant recorders (Marmite instruments), flutes and dulcimer.

Their second album, Dragonfly (1970), saw a further progression while also drawing on a wellspring of traditional folk motifs.

Discovered by Cousins, the newly recruited Rick Wakeman contributed to The Vision Of The Lady Of The Lake; an epic concept way beyond the scope of their contemporaries.

With Wakeman now a fully-fledged member, and the addition of John Ford (bass) and Richard Hudson (drums), the revised lineup recorded a live album of mostly new material,