Strawbs: The Magic Of It All

While it would appear that due to ill health Strawbs are beginning the rather sad process of winding down as a live act, at the tail end of 2023 the band released their 24th studio album. Well, I say that the band did, but I’m not really certain that’s completely true. Judging by the back of the CD booklet, the line-up for The Magic Of It All is stalwart David Cousins on vocals, acoustic guitar and electric dulcimer, with Blue Weaver, who produced the album credited with piano, mellotron and accordion and John Ford with vocals. Now, that the latter two seemingly left Strawbs back in 2001 and that Ford only sings vocals on the Christmas themed bonus track leaves the impression that this really is a David Cousins solo album. There are, to be fair, another five fine musicians contributing and a further five backing singers, so this is no one or two man band, but without the likes of Dave Lambert, Chas Cronk or Tony Fernandez just how Strawbs is this Strawbs album?

Well, in tone and sound The Magic Of It All feels like a Strawbs album, but a decidedly even handed, sedate, calm, relaxed and smooth Strawbs album, or at least musically. Lyrically things are more barbed at times, although there is also a feeling that the years are marching on, with some of the heartfelt words looking back across a life that has been well lived. The title track itself falls into the latter category, tumbling, gentle piano allowing layers of vocals to carry the weight of intention. “All Along The Bay� adds some woodwind and a lithely slithering groove, whereas “One World� strums and hums along as a soothing ballad that is then bolstered by a gang of voices.

In truth, for me anyway, while excellently arranged and carefully crafted, The Magic Of It All falls just on the wrong side of uneventful and with that in mind doesn’t make for the most exciting listening experience when encountered from start to finish. In isolation each and every song has something about it to recommend and yet, as a collection, The Magic Of It All doesn’t quite put me under its spell.

Track Listing
1. Ready (Are We Ready) 

2. The Magic of It All

3. All Along the Bay 

4. Everybody Means Something to Someone 

5. Our World 

6. The Time Has Come (for Giving Back)

7. Slack Jaw Alice 

8. Paris Nights 

9. Wiser Now

Bonus Tracks
10. The Lady of the Night 

11. Christmas Ghosts

Added: January 8th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Strawbsweb
Hits: 529
Language: english

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