From the Witchwood [Import, Original recording remastered]

Strawbs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Universal I.S.
• ASIN: B00000B96Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,731 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. A Glimpse Of Heaven

2. Witchwood

3. Thirty Days

4. Flight

5. The Hangman And The Paptist

6. Sheep

7. Cannondale

8. The Sheperd's Song

9. In Amongst The Roses

10. I'll Carry On Beside You

11. Keep The Devil Outside

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered 1998 reissue on A&M, and the CD debut of their 1971 album for the label. Features the original cover art & all of the original tracks, plus 'Keep The DevilOutside' added as a bonus track. 11 tracks total.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TRULY 'A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN'..., June 13, 2001

By 

Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: From the Witchwood (Audio CD)

This is sort of an in-between album for Strawbs, recording during the period in which they were making the shift from being a slightly-electrified folk outfit to being a full-blown progressive rock band. Actually their fifth recording, it's the first one they did in the studio after being joined by then-unknown keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, who would leave after this album to join Yes (and the rest about him, as they say, is history). His role here was noteworthy, and he certainly wasn't relegated to the background -- but neither did his organ, piano and harpsichord work dominate the group's sound as they came to do later in his work with Yes.

Led by guitarist/singer/songwriter David Cousins, with his distinctive voice always a trademark of Strawbs' sound, the group was still, for all intents and purposes, a folk-based ensemble -- even though this recording marked their first use of a full drum kit. The themes, melodies and 'feel' of the album was still 'folk'ish. The beauties of nature, mysticism, pacifism, the horror in a young boy's eyes at seeing sheep slaughtered, a vision of a secluded dale by a hermit monk -- these are the subjects and images in these songs, mostly penned by Cousins, some by Hudson and Ford.

The standout tune for me, though, is Dave Cousins' 'The hangman and the papist'. In this unforgettable work, we see a young monk condemned to die because he will not renounce the pope and swear allegiance to the king -- and we see a young soldier, chosen by the drawing of lots to act as the hangman. We are made privy to the thoughts of both of these men -- each full of his own brand of fear, trepidation and courage -- and then we see their worlds collide in the heart-stopping moment when the hangman, beneath his mask, recognizes the monk as his younger brother, 'standing proud. The hangman tries to protest, but is ordered to procede -- his trembling hands begin to take the strain. His eyes are blind with streaming tears, he cries for all to hear: "Forgive me God, we hang him in thy name..."'. This is strong stuff -- the album is worth the price for this piece alone, but everything on here is first-rate.

After this recording, Wakeman left the band and was replaced by Blue Weaver from the band Amen Corner, and the band's sound became more oriented toward rock. They put out several fine lps after 'From the witchwood' -- 'Grave new world' and 'Bursting at the seams' are really good -- but this was, I believe, the pinnacle of their achievement.

Thanks to A&M Records for making this recording available in this clear, re-mastered form -- it allows us to newly appreciate a classic.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You are not a Strawbs fan until you've heard this album, April 7, 2002

By 

Robert Cossaboon "devil doll" (The happy land of Walworth, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From the Witchwood (Audio CD)

Do not believe reviewers when they describe this album as a medaevil album. I personally should be slapped for having taken so long to buy "From the Witchwood". This is the vision the Strawbs were after, the synthesis of folk and rock, with a smattering of every other style thrown in just to keep you guessing. "A Glimpse of Heaven" is one of the most perfect opening songs ever to grace an album. It's a flawless song. Listen to it three times and play it to someone you care about. Every song on Witchwood is singular and timeless. Other standouts are the two song combo of "Flight" and "The Hangman And The Papist", the thematic change peace and discord between these two songs is wonderfully unnerving and drastic. The latter is one of Dave Cousins's most haunting songs, and ranks among his best. If you are fortunate enough to own this band's first two albums, you will recall songs like "The Battle" and the "Vision Of The Lady Of The Lake". After the album's original closer "I'll Carry On Beside You" finishes, it will still resonate for some time after you have switched to another CD. The bonus track "Keep The Devil Outside" is a worthy addition in the way it keeps with the predominant peace-discord theme of the Witchwood album. "From the Witchwood" like "Grave New World" is a classic keeper and should not be passed up if the chance to listen to it comes.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost progressive folk gem, June 27, 2000

By 

happydogpotatohead "happydogpotatohead" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: From the Witchwood (Audio CD)

The Strawbs started out as a folk group. With this album they began to evolve toward a more "progressive" sound, undoubtedly spurred on by Rick Wakeman, who guested on this album. "Glimpse of Heaven," which leads this CD off, is a perfect example; it begins as a pastoral folk piece and evolves into a much quicker middle section, with Hammond organ flourishes, then returns to the folky beginning.

This first song sets the pace for those to follow. Although the album is not repetitive or dull, there is an overall "feel" to the album that is very representative of its time (early '70s). Lyrical themes tend toward the mystical, and the use of sitars, banjo, dulcimer and tabla, along with Wakeman's creative keyboards, add colors to the music that pull it out of the "folk ghetto" that a lot of similar bands got trapped in.

Dave Cousins, the main songwriter here, was never afraid to be earnest or romantic, sometimes to an embarrassing extent, but his occasional missteps are offset by the contributions of John Ford and Richard Hudson, who not only provided perfect accompaniment but contributed songs of their own.

Some few of the songs have not dated well, but there are many magical moments on this album, where the vocal harmonies of Cousins, Hudson and Ford mesh with the modernized (and sometimes fairly psychedelic) British folk structures of the songs to create a truly distinctive sound.

On a personal note, I have a great deal of affection for this album. It was helpful to me when I was trying to break away from my heavy metal youth, so I do wonder how well this review will relate to people in general. However, I do think that this CD is a lost classic, and anyone who enjoys Clannad, Lorena McKennitt, and other modern progressive folk music will find a lot to like here. I personally love this album for what it is; excellently performed progressive folk, sometimes with hippy overtones, but always sincere and always credible. I am really happy to see this back out on CD, as I have gone through two vinyl copies already. For fans of quiet, intricate, emotional music, the Strawbs "Witchwood" should not be passed by.