Customer Reviews

Ghosts

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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The Strawbs were never a strictly progressive rock group, nor were they purely a folk formation once they dropped the "Strawberry Hill Boys" moniker in 1967, nor were they ever a pop group as much as they may have tried in the late 70s. Their recordings generally presented a mix of the three with classical influences sprinkled here and there, but it is on Ghosts that the band achieves the ultimate mix, with moody epics juxtaposed among lighter ditties and maudlin moments, all extremely well written, and executed with impeccable flair and confidence. This version of the group was the tightest, the same lineup present for Hero and Heroine but with an album under their belts. Ghosts is truly a group effort. The title track fatures ancient harpsichords melded to nightmarish guitars, "Lemon Pie" was a perky near hit, "Starshine/Angel Wine" begins gently with piano and cello before seguing into Clapton like riffs and majestic mellotrons. "Where do you Go" is a boppy pop number, but then it's back into the depressive with "the Life Auction" and its harsh observations awash in mellotron and guitars. "Don't Try to Change Me" is a Dave Lambert classic and its message is profound in a simple catchy way. If all of this wasn't enough, the album terminates with two of the most stunning tunes and poems in the Cousins' repertoire, "You and I", featuring the brilliant John Hawken intro and Cousins sweetest vocals, not to mention a third verse where the band shows how harmonious it could be in the vocal department, and "Grace Darling", here in this original incarnation performed as a hymn, with choir and organ providing the grace, and Dave Cousins for all the world sounding like a man who has found it. Ghosts is the best Strawbs effort in spite of some intense competition from its predecessors and the pressures for commercial success that must have existed at the time, but, thanks to its re-release, it is not to late to discover or rediscover this work of wonder.

On "Ghosts", the Strawbs continued in the same vein as "Hero And Heroine" but with a bit darker edge. The problem arises out of the clash between some of the lighter material with Dave Cousins' moodier pieces. Dave Lambert's "Don't try To Change Me" sticks out like a sore thumb, as did most of the songs he wrote for the Strawbs. The first half of the album is a bit lighter in mood, so why that Lambert song got placed on the second half, following one of the darkest songs Cousins ever wrote, "The Life Auction" puzzles me. Was it comic relief? Complaints aside, this disc does contain some classic material from Cousins. "Ghosts", "The Life Auction", "You And I" and "Grace Darling" rank among the best songs he ever wrote.
Keyboard player, John Hawken had a very unique sound and seemed to fit the band even better than Rick Wakeman. His fingers may not have been quite as fast as Wakeman's, but he understood mood like no other keyboard player that ever worked with the Strawbs. This was his second and sadly, his final work with the band.
"Ghosts" was the last great album from the Strawbs. They followed in less than a year with "Nomadness" which was good, but far from great. After that, they left A&M, proceeded to morph into a power pop band and failed badly.

This cd grows on you...like a strawberry! The first time I listened to this I thought it was kind of creepy. It sets a kind of dark mood. Ghosts is a masterpiece..as is The life auction. The entire cd is a work of art,and how this cd didn't become more popular,is a mystery to me.

Lemon Pie, Where Do You Go and Don't Try To Change Me are the odd songs here. The rest have the same haunting quality that make the title of this CD so apt. John Hawken's keyboards are especially effective and it's a shame that he left after this recording. The CD starts off with the compelling title track, very typical of Cousins' songwriting: three songs making up the whole. Though the imagery is of childhood fears I read an interview in which Cousins said the song was about drugs. "There the needle stands before me, I climb inside it towards the light." Beautiful but chilling.

Starshine/Angel Wine is Chas Cronk's contribution and it's a good one. I've always thought the first part must be about his daughter though I'm not sure.

The Life Auction is the high point of the CD. The dreary poem Impressions of Southall from the Train is full of imagery that will stay with you. You can picture exactly what Cousins was looking at. This leads into The Auction which is a pretty rocking tune but has a very progressive feel to it. I used to listen to this one 10 or 12 times in a row.

Remembering shows the genius of Mr. Hawken again and leads into the beautiful You and I. This will make you very nostalgic, especially if you are married. Once again very powerful imagery.

Grace Darling is a unique song. On the surface it is a love song to Grace with a wonderful backing choir. The cleverness lies in the fact that it was based on a true incident involving a lighthouse keeper's daughter named Grace Darling. She bravely helped rescue doomed sailors during a storm off England's Northumberland coast. The lyrics make more sense when taken literally but work very well figuratively as a love song.

You definitely need to get this CD!

"Ghosts" signaled an end to the Strawbs' golden era. Coming hot on the heels of three previous masterpieces ("Grave New World," "Bursting At The Seams" and "Hero & Heroine") and a succssion of lineup changes, it's amazing "Ghosts" sounds as strong as it does. But a some rather mediocre songwriting was starting to creep into [bad] material like "Starshine/Angel Wine" and "Don't Try To Change Me." Dave Cousins and the band were running out of steam at this point, and the glory days of the Strawbs would soon be over. But it's nice to finally have "Ghosts" remastered and available on CD (albiet as a UK import).

A reviewer below stated that Ghosts is enjoyable but not essential. I'm sorry, but if you like the Strawbs at all, this CD is ABSOLUTELY essential. Dave Cousins & the gang were hitting their peak with this moody and passionate group of songs, which includes the classic "Grace Darling". Even the songs that may get overlooked in the first couple of listens are great: "Where Do You Go.." has a bit of a Cat Stevens/Tuesday's Dead feel to it and "You and I (When we were young)" is the kind of beautiful, sad song Cousins writes so well. Essential.

If "Hero and Heroine" with its white cover of a dove being released to flight represents the light side of the Strawbs, then "Ghosts" with its black cover represents the dark side of the group. Certainly this follow up album to "Hero and Heroine" is more evocative of somber moods on the part of David Cousins, from the opening "Ghosts" suite to "The Life Auction" to the final track "Grace Darling." In this context "Lemon Pie," the "hit single" from the album, seems out of place, although Dave Lambert's "Don't Try To Change Me" better fits this album than most of his compositions tend to do. The result is the best commercial effort by the Strawbs, even if artistically it was a step below their best efforts.

The title track with its three parts, represents the Strawbs at their best as a progressive rock band (if not an outright example of classical rock). The first part, "Sweet Dreams," is a lullaby set up by a nice mix of acoustic guitar and harpsichord. The theme on electric guitar leads to the middle section, "Night light", which turns towards the dark side before Lambert's does the vocals on "Guardian Angel" and the band really starts rocking and the themes from the other sections are used to bring the mini-suite to an end. The other prime track on the album is "Grace Darling," a love ballad recorded with the choir of Charterhouse school that is ostensibly the story of a Northumbrian heroine. But Cousins turns the lighthouse of the story into a metaphor for the guidance and safe harbor of a woman's love. In the song's refrain Cousin's does a nice play on the title, singing, "you are my saving grace / darling I love you."

I attribute a lot of the atmosphere on the album to the excellent efforts of the under appreciated keyboard player John Hawken, who not only compliments but accents the peculiar moods of the various stylings Cousins invariably produces on each album. "Ghosts" is not as solid as its predecessor, but it certainly continues the musical direction of the group established after Lambert replaced Hudson & Ford. Taken together these two albums pretty much encompass the complete range of musical territory staked out by the Strawbs. Along with their next album, "Nomadness," their final A&M release, these three albums represent the height of the group's commercial success ("Ghost" made it to #47 on the Billboard album chart, by far their best showing). Ironically, the Strawbs were more popular in the U.S. than in the U.K., but when "Lemon Pie" failed to make it as a hit single and the punk movement started changing the music scene, the group went into quick decline.

Somewhere in-between this plain of existence and the next one are where ghosts reside. Real or imaginary? Of substance or of no consequence? But, in that, there are also so many different types of ghosts. They inhabit your thoughts, your dreams and can be so pleasing or else a nightmare of dire proportions. The Strawbs convey this, and much more with "Ghosts".

But, before I go further I should explain that, even at this late date, The Strawbs remain a glorious find, and the best kept secret from the masses. For those who are familiar with them, they are well aware of the diversity, power, talent and musical smarts this band has. The Strawbs have had alot of personnel changes over the years. But, somehow, even in that, the players have been top-notch quality. Kudos go to Dave Cousins for the uniquest vocals in the universe and for the wisdom to know that true success lies in the love of music, and not that old god money which pervert so many souls.

But, onwards to "Ghosts". To me, this is an advanced step towards progressive rock which was a rising consideration in the musical arena at the time. They moved from their English folktune roots towards a more rock, classically based band. Yet, even in that, "Ghosts" retain a part of that as well as having other musical motifs enter the soundscape as well. Regal, disturbing, subtle, sweet and clamoring music. Alternating between earthly concerns and spiritual freedom. This music is music of shades and shadows, what is revealed and what is hidden. But, with the goal of what can be known as the ultimate consideration.

We begin with "Ghosts", an interesting composition, broken into (essentially) a 3 part musical and thematic motif. The lullabye of a) sweet dreams to the falling into sleep of b) night light, We then begin the nightmare of c) guardian angel, who, fights hard to ward off the oppressive doom, only to falter. This musical section conveys the push and tug of war. Opressive and appropriate. But then, we emerge back to the music of b) nightlight once again and thankfully wake to a new dawn. Morning. A musical excursion that stands alone in how well it's thought out.

"Lemon Pie" then becomes the musical happiness we so much need after "Ghosts". An off the cuff, sprightly tune, it is a simple prog-rock love lift. No more, no less. "Starshine/Angel Wine" has, as you would expect, two musical motifs. Beautifully classical at the beginning, Starshine, is synonymous with all things sweet and slightly detectable. But, mores the pity, because it moves to a harkening plea that we all need to drink of that angel wine. An ode, I feel, to a need to retain an innocence and goodness within the self.

"Where Do You Go" is a jumpy little tune to give some comfort. The Strawbs within this album somehow feel the need to give solace to the innocent of spirit. Interesting. Consequently, the next song "The Life Auction" is a harrowing experience (yet again). The music parallels the noble, manic yearning to overcome the greed and avarice. "Take my rings and trinkets bright, but leave me eyes which give me light, my tongue which gives me leave to speak, the rest is yoursand welcome". Meaning, I will keep the things of real value. Remarkable words. Courageous words.

We move to "Don't Try to Change Me", which, in love especially, could be a disastrous misstep. A lively uptempo song by Dave Lambert, he reveals truth in, yet, another surprise song along the way. "Remembering" is a soft, musical interlude by John Hawken seguing into "You and I (when we were young)". A lovely tune, looking back from age to the tenderness of youth and love. With these songs, we come out of the ghosts of the past. We look back, but hold on to the things that are truly of value. Same holds true of "Grace Darling", a beautiful composition. One of remembrance and homage to a true love, who has always been the inspiration for a man to move forward in his life. I love this tune. It is gorgeous, glorious, and it shows what one person can mean in one's life. How essential that is.

"Changes Are Us", the extra bonus track, to my mind feels out of place. It does not add nor detract from the main body of work, thus it is just a curiosity. But, a pleasant one. "Ghosts" is a most unique experience for those who want to take the chance. Always melodic, but sometimes jarring, you will sail across pleasant seas of knowing, or thinking that you know. But there will be upheaval, and then we will see whether the ship you are in can make it through the storm. Not a problem. The Strawbs have provided enough ammunition here to make your fondest nightmares, or dreams, come true. It is, after all, always up to you.
A fine band. A fine proffering. A very fine recommendation.

The 7th Son on the 7th Seas ------- Metamorpho

this british band of the early 70's never received th acclaim they deserved. some great music on ghosts especially grace darling and the life auction. another lp oops cd hero and heroine also had some great music. in many songs they paint a picture of life they also use keyboards-synthesis ers

This cd, along with Hero, Bursting and Grave new world, are among the finest Strawbs or anyone else have recorded. I was fortunate to see them live this summer with the Hero lineup and they were fantastic! THe new lp is pretty great in itself. I will never understand why this group with two strong writer/singers {the two Daves} and keyboard player magnificent John Hawken, never got the praise they deserved. But to those who know them and we are a mighty bunch, the Strawbs will always be KINGS OF PROG!