| | Strawbs From The Witchwood CD - Import Strawbs Discography of CDs
 (3 Customer Reviews)
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The Strawbs' fourth album, 1971's FROM THE WITCHWOOD is the key transition point between the group's folk-rock roots and the more commercial pop sound of their later records, and is also the last to include Rick Wakeman's keyboards.
This album was originally the weak link in the transition of the Strawbs from an acoustic folk-rock outfit to a progressive-folk band, being neither fish nor fowl and suffering from an anemic mix. The 1998 British reissue (A&M 540-939-2), however, solves some inherent problems that plagued both the original vinyl edition and the first CD reissues. The new remastering toughened up the bass sound, and brings out more of the sheer power of Rick Wakeman's organ and synthesizer playing, accenting the harder side of the group's sound that was obviously there in the studio but lacking in the analog mix. "A Glimpse of Heaven" and "The Hangman and the Papist," in particular, benefit from the remastering, and "Sheep" finally has the musical fury to match its lyrics. Dave Cousins' voice also comes off as really close, and the effect is to make this a much more potent album than it previously seemed. Overall, it's now far easier to visualize this recording as the step leading to full-blown progressive rock releases such as Grave New World, which followed. The disc includes one bonus track, John Ford's "Keep the Devil Outside," which has an acoustic opening and a hard rock break and finale, which was cut at these same sessions, and which turned up months later as the B-side of "Benedictus," a single drawn from the next album. ~ Bruce Eder
Remastered reissue of their 1971 release. Rick Wakeman later of Yes fame plays keyboards.
German remaster adds an extra song.
CD contains 1 bonus track.The Wire (p.43) - "[The Strawbs] moved towards a form of Progressive pastoral rock that found perfect expression on the wild, wuthering songs of FROM THE WITCHWOOD." Strawbs From The Witchwood Songs | 1. | Glimpse of Heaven, A | |
| 2. | Witchwood | $0.99 | |
| 3. | Thirty Days | |
| 4. | Flight | |
| 5. | Hangman & The Papist, The  | |
| 6. | Sheep | $0.99 | |
| 7. | Cannondale | |
| 8. | Shepherd's Song, The | |
| 9. | In Amongst the Roses | |
| 10. | I'll Carry on Beside You | |
| 11. | Keep the Devil Outside (B | |
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From The Witchwood Music Review Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars)   Superb and inspiring, stood the test of time.
Saw the Strawbs live when Rick Wakeman was playing the Hammond (how many folky bands have an organist who sticks knives in the keyboard), such an accomplished and talented band even that early on. I bought Antiques & Curios and then Witchwood LPs back in the early 70s and was just given this CD as a present.
Wow, what an awakening! Some real Strawbs magic I had forgotten about.
Each track so different; some tracks were sometimes a little too harsh for my taste or mood and some like “Glimpse of Heaven” and ‘Shepard’s Song’ still carry me away. A special album that makes me realise how today’s music and my resultant taste and CD collection has limited the experience.
What else gets close:
Kate Bush ‘Hounds of Love’ and some of her latest work. Time to check out all the other Strawbs releases I have never heard. Also reminds me to start reviewing some ‘Barclay James Harvest’. This CD is a true awakening and a great experience. a must have for Strawbs colectors.
Context:
I have no idea what their later albums sound like as I lost interest when they went commercial and had a hit single in the UK, so maybe this one will sound strange to Strawbs fanatics, just a thought given the zero reviews as of 01/2006.
Submitted by Tony (Wirral, UK.)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Let me just say this about Witchwood!
Ok so you want to call it transition between folk/rock and folk/prog or whatever! It seems the critics always want to steer you away from the stuff they want to keep to themselves! I wouldn't care if you called it Celtic music...it's a very fine work that stands the test of time! Now I've got several following this one all digitally remastered which are equally as impressive! But take Round and Round for instance off Hero and Heroine! Great tune but "flower power"? You see where I'm going? I mean bell-bottoms went out in the 70's! Actually can't believe I wore anything that looked so stupid! This is not Midevil music! This is just very well thought out and extremely well arranged! It's not dated! It's fantastic digitally remastered beautiful music! Critics...you gotta hate 'em! Enough said!
Submitted by mheinen3 (Oklahoma City, OK, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No  A favorite for the duration
I still have the LP bought in, you know, the 70's. It is fair worn due to such regular play. A bit of a mood is occassionaly required to really get into it. It fits well with the Old Yes/Genesis/King Crimson ...feel? Any Lord of the rings fan will probably enjoy the context.
Submitted by Robin (Vernon B.C., Canada)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
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As for Wyatt, his drumming is often a bit subdued, giving the kit a good thrashing but sometimes falling into the role of strict timekeeper during extended polyrhythmic keyboard/bass vamps. Of course, extended compositions with repetitive patterns, counterpoint, and odd time signatures were very much a part of the band's explorations on Third, and Wyatt may have been attempting to replicate aspects of his approach from that album (e.g, the midsection of "Slightly All the Time"). Elsewhere, there are fascinating glimpses of works in progress ...
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