Acoustic Strawbs New CD
F. Scragg | Staten Island, New York United States | 01/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another excellent cd from Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk. If you have seen them live recently you will definetly enjoy this cd. If you are into electric Strawbs you will also enjoy this recording. I have seen the Strawbs 6 times in the last 3 years in NY and I can not get enough of them because of their musicanship. One of my favorite tracks is Cold Steel by Dave Lambert and another great track is The Antique Suite which is truly fantastic. The entire cd was recorded in California and is wonderful. Please check them out when the Strawbs come to your town."
Acoustic Bliss
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 03/21/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Painted Sky is one of those albums best appreciated if you are already familiar with the songs in their originally recorded style. When I was a much younger man, the Strawbs were one of the more unusual and interesting groups on the scene. I liked them a lot then and in recent years have come back to them amazed to discover a latter-day outpouring of new recordings and a renewed vigor in the band's repertoire.
This particular album features acoustic renderings of songs spanning the band's career. David Cousins and company are famous for covering their songs from many angles so when you get a Strawbs album and see the title of a seemingly familiar song, you may be surprised to discover its not the version you expected. And so it is on Painted Sky.
Though I wouldn't say this album merits five stars, there is still much to like. My favorites are an almost religious take on Oh How She Changed, Shine On Silver Sun, Benedictus, Midnight Sun, Cold Steel (featuring some fine banjo work), If, and the guitar sequences at the beginning of Autumn.
With nearly an hour's worth of acoustic bliss, Painted Sky is an album that belongs in every Strawbs fan's collection. Get it while it is still available."