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Strawbs - Hero And Heroine
Strawbs - Hero And Heroine
Released: 1973
Label: A&M
Cat. No.: 540 935-2
Total Time: 44:49


Reviewed by: Eric Porter, September 2003

The Strawbs are probably best known to progressive rock fans due to the participation of a certain keyboardist by the name of Rick Wakeman. The band reached a wide audience in the UK during the 70’s and also charted here in the US. The band combined elements of English folk music and progressive rock on Hero And Heroine to create some excellent symphonic rock tracks, while never failing to forget their folk roots. The opening “Autumn” is one of the discs outstanding tracks, with pastoral passages of mellotron and guitar, reminding one of early King Crimson. “Just Love” has a really beautiful mid-section that unfortunately is too short to make this anything more than a straight ahead boring rock track. “Shine on Silver Sun” is a short uplifting track with a nice vocal chorus.

The gem here is the title track “Hero & Heroine." This track takes folk, mixes a little Charlie Daniels (you will hear what I mean) and a great riff dominated by keyboard to break up the sections. The organ and mellotron bridge is also quite dramatic. The track leads into the acoustic guitar track “Midnight Sun”. Another subtle yet beautiful song from Cousins. “Out In The Cold” continues to showcase the folk side of the band including harmonica and more acoustic guitar. Cousins was also said to be an influence on Fish’s (Marillion) vocal style. The mixture of styles works well, creating a balanced and enjoyable disc of varied music.

More about Hero And Heroine:

Track Listing: Autumn (8:29) / Sad Young Man (4:09) / Just Love (3:41) / Shine On Silver Sun (2:46) / Hero & Heroine (3:29) / Midnight Sun (3:06) / Out In The Cold (3:19) / Round and Round (4:44) / Lay A Little Light On Me (3:27) / Hero’s Theme (2:28) / Bonus Tracks: Still Small Voice (2:28) / Lay A Little Light On Me (early version) (2:23)

Musicians:
Dave Cousins – Vocals, guitars
Dave Lambert – Vocals, guitars
John Hawken – Piano, organ,mellotron, synthesizer
Chas Cronk – bass, synthesizer, vocals
Rod Coombes – Drums, percussion, vocals

Contact:

Website: www.strawbpage.ndirect.co.uk
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

  • Sandy Denny & the Strawbs (1968)
  • Strawbs (1969)
  • Dragonfly (1970)
  • Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios (1970)
  • From The Witchwood (1971)
  • Grave New World (1972)
  • Bursting At The Seems (1973/2003*)
  • Sandy And The Strawbs: All Our Own Work (1973)
  • Hero And Heroine (1974/1998*/2003*)
  • Strawbs By Choice (1974)
  • Ghosts (1974)
  • Nomadness (1975)
  • Deep Cuts (1976)
  • Burning For You (1977)
  • Deadlines (1978)
  • Don't Say Goodbye (1987)
  • Preserves Uncanned (1991)
  • Sandy And The Strawbs (1991)
  • Ringing Down The Years (1991)
  • Greatest Hits Live (1993)
  • A Choice Selection Of Strawbs (1993)
  • Heartbreak Hill (1995)
  • BBC In Concert (1995)
  • Halcyon Days (1997)
  • Concert Classics (1999)
  • The Complete Strawbs (Chiswick '98) (2000)
  • Acoustic Strawbs: Baroque & Roll (2001)
  • Tears And Pavan: An Introduction (2002)
  • 20th Century Masters - The Millenium Edition (2003)
  • Blue Angel (2003)
  • Deja Fou (2004)
    * reissue w/bonus tracks