The only Strawbs album I ever owned and heard is your #1 pick! I love these ranking videos even if I am not familiar with the bands. Great reviews! Loved the ending as usual, ha ha!
If you love hero and Heroine you owe it to youself to get Grave New World AND Ghosts...those top 3 albums are the best and only ones that are must haves, none of their other albums come close to them. IMO
@@REPay1000 ...I have it and it's not quite as good as the ones I mentioned I also have Burning For You, Nomadness and Deep Cuts... I never listen to them though but the 3 I mentioned are fantastic.
I love Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where the Time Goes, but the Strawbs' version does the song no justice. I've been a Strawb's fan since 1969, when Where Is this Dream of Your Youth got a lot of airplay on KPPC-FM in LA. I have everything through Heartbreak Hill, but I don't listen to anything past Nomadness. After that LP, the Strawbs are reminiscent of Paul McCartney's output after London Town. From great to good, to good-bye. Strawbs, the first LP, was released in May 1969, not 1970. The 1973 LP, recorded in 1968, is replicated in the 2001 release of Strawberrry Music Sampler No 1, reportedly the rarest vinyl LP in the world, with only two known copies of the original 99 left. It's mostly demos, some of which show up on other Strawbs' albums. more fully realized. I never saw the Strawbs as "progressive" rock, but Folk Rockers with attitude. It may be why Rick Wakeman didn't last, and why so many musicians cycled in and out of the band. Reportedly, Cousins has all the quirks of a Folkie, from slipping tempos, to talking blues devices. I only saw them once, in the early '70s, but it was a great show, solidifying my respect for what had attracted me in the first place. The Ten Best Strawbs LPs: 01 G H O S T S 02 G R A V E N E W W O R L D 03 B U R S T I N G A T T H E S E A M S 04 H E R O A N D H E R O I N E 05 N O M A D N E S S 06 F R O M T H E W I T C H W O O D 07 J U S T A C O L L E C T I O N O F A N T I Q U E S A N D C U R I O S 08 D R A G O N F L Y 09 D E EP C U T S 10 S T R A W B E R R Y M U S I C S A M P L E R N O 1
Awesome! Always loved the Strawbs! Ghosts is in my prog song hall of fame! I was lucky to meet David Cousins at an acoustic show (with Willoughby and Ford) in Toronto way back when. Super nice guy and I still remember his face lighting up when my buddy told him Lady of the Lake was his favorite Strawbs tune. Still have the autographed ticket some place. Cheers Scot!
Been a Strawbs fan for decades! Agree with most of your rankings. After watching your reviews I ordered two albums I never knew about: Settlement and The Ferryman's Curse. I will give Broken Hearted Bride and Prognostic a listen too. Thanks!!
JUST A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUES & CURIOS uno dei miei preferiti, live con materiale inedito registrato alla QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL di LONDRA nel 1970 !!!!!!!! Poi altri splendidi albums, HERO &HEROINE,GHOSTS, GRAVE NEW WORLD, FROM THE WITCHWOOD, BURSTING AT THE SEAMS, DRAGONFLY, STRAWBS, DEEP CUTS, BURNING FOR YOU, NOMADNESS, ALL OUR OWN WORK con SANDY DENNY rip , DEADLINES etc etc grande band, grande leader vocalist e anche simpatico e umile.....DAVE COUSINS!!!!!!!!! Molti importanti musicisti nella sua band gli STRAWBS fra cui il piu celebre il tastierista originale RICK WAKEMAN che poi andò poco dopo negli YES!!!!!!!!!
Great Top 25 of the Strawbs !! , I'm a big fan of this band I have the double cd Strawbs Import : UnCanned preservatives , which is raw acoustic sounding unplugged but great intimate style setting ,with Sandy Denny too , it was $43.99. The price is still on the cd , I've enjoyed it for 35 years! ❤❤👈😺
I saw them in 79, but it was not that memorable. The Scorpions, who followed them, blew everyone else off the stage. I surmise that the Strawbs were past their best and Scorpions were hitting their best. Rick Wakeman is always worth a mention! Keyboard Genius...
I enjoyed this ranking because I learnt so much. Not really a band i got into. Fairport Convention definitely. I used to go to Cropredy regularly. Saw some great groups got quite tipsy on real ale. Offered to buy Robert Plant a pint, but he politely declined. Thank you, oh Grandmaster Jedi of prog'!
Hey, check out the '71 I think it is Marmalade Album. An absolute Gem! It's called "Songs". Or maybe "Reflections of my like"-The songs Empty Bottles-and Cousin Norman in particular!
Here's the ones I have Disclaimer: I have only started collecting Strawbs albums since last August 2023 so I haven't had tons of time with them Most to Least Favorite (as of today) Nomadness Hero and Heroine Into the Witchwood Dragonfly Grave New World Bursting at the Seams The Ferryman's Curse Deep Cuts Burning for You Strawbs Deadlines Dancing to the Devil's Beat Ghosts The Broken Hearted Bride Heartbreak Hill Settlement The Magic of It All
An excellent choice for No 1. Prog. Professor Scot, unsurprisingly, comes up trumps again. Linger in the university that is The Prog Corner-there's an education there for us all.....
I must have had a guardian angel because I was led to nearly all of the greatest prog masterpieces, in real time, including your number 1, which I play and share every Autumn. The other songs you mentioned are also masterpieces. I came to the band for the same reason, and stuck with them always. Got to see them in Charlotte this century. Acoustic set, but with the main dudes.This was exemplary, and you are to be commended for your Herculean efforts. Looking forward to hearing those others you loved.
Bluegrass is folk music of the purest kind, and its influence was acknowledged by many British bands. To give just one example, The Incredible String Band did an excellent cover of Dolly Parton's My Blue Tears.
Hi Scot. Great video. Listened to The Nails From.. and a top track. Really enjoyed it. I’ve listened to some of their stuff but the jury is out a little bit. I felt that during the ranking quite a few of those albums could really have been binned. Feels like when they were good they were exceptional but conversely when they were bad.. Take care buddy. All the best. Dave✅✅
Great ranking Scot. From the Witchwood was my first Strawbs album and remains my favourite. So many great songs with just the requisite amount of folkiness. Particularly love the title track and In Amongst the Roses. Your ranking has inspired me to have a bit of a Strawbs binge over the next few days.
Very good video Scot!! I agree with your ranking of course!!! I don't know some of the albums, I have a great double compilation "The Very Best Of The Strawbs - Halcyon Days" 1997 and I think it has all their great songs but I miss "Tears and Pavan" (it's in the US edition of this double album, a little different setlist from The one I have, the UK edition). The man who called himself Jesus, The Hangman and the Papist, Benedictus, Queen Of Dreams, Stormy Down, Witchwood, Lay Down, Part Of The Union, Hero and Heroine, Ghosts, Grace Darling, Golden Salamander, Shine On Silver Sun are so great!! Thank you Scot for one more special delivery!! See you man, you rock!!!!!
Spot on with the top 5! I had the privilege of knowing the late John Hawken who passed in May 2024. I got a personal performance of Heroine's Theme from Hero & Heroine in his music room. You also prompted me to revisit some of the later works - all of which I own.
Unfamiliar with this band. Thanks or the list, and the comments.... Just incidentally, the cover at 21:11 Grave New World, that's a Wm Blake painting, Glad Day.
Controversial rankings :-) That first album with Sandy Denny is beautiful. It should be ranked much higher. Same for "Heartbreak Hill", a strong album much better than "Deadlines". "Dragonfly" is a weak album. Very hard to choose a favorite from the "70s A&M albums. All very good. I think "Ghosts" is my overall favorite.
Grave New World was made into a movie, a kind of promo video that was almost unknown in 1972. I watched it at the Odeon cinema in Hartlepool, where it was shown as the opener to a live film of ELP performing Pictures At An Exhibition - my God, those were the days. I've seen it on RUclips - and as an interpretation of the band's music it cannot be faulted - but a current search reveals nothing apart from a couple of excerpts. My favourite Strawbs tracks? Benedictus (of course), New World, Heavy Disguise, On Growing Older, 30 Days, Canon Dale, Lady Fuchsia (best song ever about a fictional character) and The Winter And The Summer.
NOOooooo. Ghosts first! :o)) I'm amazed at the depth of their catalogue. Forgot or ignored them since the very early days. Only know your top 3. Must dive deeper .
Excellent ranking. A very underrated, and I think, somewhat forgotten band. Ghosts was my entry point back in 75, and is probably my sentimental favorite. I kind of lost track of them after Deadlines other than buying Don’t Say Goodbye years later. I played these albums to death back in the day.
Thank you for give attention to Strawbs. They are often forgotten in music rankings but one of my favourite bands of all time. Agree with most parts of your ranking but I have Bursting At The Seams and Ferrymans Curse above Grave New World. They should been huge when Hero & Heroine and Ghosts was released.
My first Strawbs album was 'Brave New World' with that great inside artwork, after that it was 'From The witchwood' great album beautiful tracks some great Mellotron from mister Wakeman , and then of course 'Hero and Heroine' another great album , must say that I did not know they had 25 albums most of them never seen, and lots of them with very bad album artworks, but I wil check them out, thanks Scot ! by the way did you see the sot album in the progseat "TALES" what did you think of it
It's wild that "Part Of The Union" was their biggest hit and not really at all indicative of the band's sound, especially moving forward. Great ranking!
You seriously need to listen to Heartbreak Hill again. In no sane world is that rated so low. Which BTW, David Cousins re-released that a few years ago with the proper mix that had been previously lost. He originally released it (with that red cover you show) from a rough mix tape. But to reiterate, how could an album so proggy in the late 70's, after they released a few straight rockers, be rated a stinker?
Thanks, i knew i needed another classic Strawbs album - so just ordered Grave New World after listening to your ranking. Agree on Hero and Heroine, but From the Witchwood is right up there, maybe their best. Also Nomadness is rather better than 12.
Really cool to get this. Strawbs are a band that I haven’t really checked out, and only know a few songs from the early 70s albums, but they seem like a band that I would really enjoy. So, great to get this guide to their discography from someone that really knows. Much thanks!
I don't understand why Autumn is not listed as one of the greatest progressive rock tracks of all time. Hero and Heroine & From the Witchood are my two favourite albums from Strawbs. And i love me some Deja Fou too!
Hero and Heroine brings back so many memories. I am an old person. Where one man's search must surely cease The irresistible white fleece Led Hero in search of the peace That she alone could offer Thus he knelt before her feet Wary lest their eyes should meet He knew his life was incomplete For he had yet to suffer.
@@jeffreyrobinson9120 A number of their later albums aren't that good, but there are usually one or two songs that are worthwhile. The Ferryman's Curse from 2017 is a great album.
Scott, thanks for taking the time to check out their entire discography. I have your top five Strawbs picks on vinyl and did not really know where to go from there. I love that you picked a couple of their more recent albums for your top ten, and I will seek those out, if not on vinyl. Great job once again!
Splendid. The only tracks by The Strawbs I knew prior to this video was Part Of The Union and...er...the one before that, released as a single...similar tune to Early Morning by BJH. What's its name? I'll Hold On To You...possibly...Hold On To Me...maybe...oh, you know which one I mean! It also shows part of what Rick Wakeman did prior to joining Yes. BTW With reference to that comment I left on an earlier video re: UNIT, that obscure Scottish (?) band I discovered recently. They've done a track called Affirmative which seems to be a playful parody (but respectful) of a typical Jon Anderson lyric. I listened to At The Academy and Earth Is Finite (again) and I really do suggest you check them out. I've tried to contact them but they seem to be very mysterious and enigmatic...or maybe they're simply crap at replying to emails.
Lay Down was released as a single in October 1972 and reached #12 in the UK. That's the one prior to Part Of The Union. The song you're thinking of might be I Only Want My Love To Grow In You from 1976, which despite plenty of radio play failed to reach the charts.
I'm really jealous you got to see the eclipse! It wasn't visible in Europe of course... I haven't checked out Strawbs a lot, I didn't know Sandy Danny was in the band, I love Fairport Convention!
Great job Scott. Their 1969 album may well have influenced the superb prog folk double album The Age of Mouse (1970) by Australian Doug Ashdown. A credit that does not appear on Rick Wakeman's Wikipedia is his playing on Ten Songs by Tucker Zimmerman (1969), one of David Bowie's favourite albums. The 2015 reissue has Wakeman on all 8 bonus tracks. On the original album he plays on A Face That Hasn't Sold Out.
I don't know much about the Strawbs. I do have Deadlines and Burning for You. I liked them, though I haven’t listened to them in a long time. For some reason, I Don't Want to Talk About It still pops into my mind from time to time.
Hey Scot. Have you ever thought about doing a Deep Purple album ranking? One of the greatest bands of all time! They were prog and psych in the beginning.🤩
Hey Scot, you did once again a great job as The Strawbs really should get more attention on the vc. Their first two records are absolute great folk stuffs. Gret top 3, man BTW déjà fou is French for Already crazy.
Strawbs have been one of the bands most important to me. You are correct. Don't Say Goodbye and Ringing Down the Years were only released in Canada. The gem, if you could find it, is the 5 CD box set, A Taste of Strawbs, full of rarities. For me, it's the best box set in my collection. Thanks for doing this Scot!
Love me some classic Strawbs. Unfortunately, the closest I ever got ( not very close at all, lol) to seeing them live is when I saw The Monks live in 1979.Great show Scot.
Thank you very much for doing a Strawbs ranking, they are my favourite band and there are very few rankings of them on youtube. Part of the fun is disagreeing, but you are not too far away from how I would list them.
Fantastic, Scot. So many of their albums I'd never seen or heard before. Your rankings are always an inspiration to go and listen to a band's discography, whether I know most of it or not.
First off I'm glad to see that you survived the apocalypse and didn't burn out your retinas! What a severely awesome ranking Scot. I know I've hassled you about Strawbs for a bit now. Well, my good sir you took the task to heart. I do believe you are the first person I've seen talk so extensively about this underrated band. I sometimes think that I'm the only one to like this band. Dave Cousins is one of my favourite prog "voices". I always have an ear out for unusual voices. Every once in a while a voice sticks out. I'm not gonna bother with my own ranking because yours is pretty well bang on. Although, due to unpopular demand I rank Nomadness much higher. A definite top tier album maybe displacing the self titled. I'm not too familiar with the sketchy years but being Canadian and everything I did have Never Say Goodbye on cassette. I remember enjoying it back then but its been decades since I've heard it. Bride, Ferry and Settlement were surprise albums that came out of nowhere. I think they deserve to be in the upper echelon of their discography. Excellent stuff. Anyways, I just wanna say thanks for doing this Scot. The love you put into it shows.
@@TheProgCorner I had a feeling that I had something to do with this. I appreciate the recognition. I'm not kidding when I said you did a great job either. Bowie....
Thanks for doing this video Scott. Strawbs is a great band and definitely deserve to be celebrated for so much of their work. I look forward to seeing you again on Sea of Tranquility.
The only reason I sought them out!!!! I had to hear the band Wakeman came from. I had heard they sucked. No one I knew liked them. But I loved them from the first listen. They were wrong. Dead wrong!!!
![FendiDa Rappa - Clock Dat ft. Shamar Marco [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NBU8KHdxYY/mqdefault.jpg)
GREAT to see Strawbs getting the attention they deserve! Seminal prog band, with strong folk roots. One of the all time great 'Mellotron bands'.
Strike up the ‘Tron!!!
-Neal Morse
Alright! It's about time we get a decent Strawbs ranking video. Hero and Heroine all the way! What a masterpiece.
Absolutely!!!
The only Strawbs album I ever owned and heard is your #1 pick! I love these ranking videos even if I am not familiar with the bands. Great reviews! Loved the ending as usual, ha ha!
Thanks, Larry!!!
If you love hero and Heroine you owe it to youself to get Grave New World AND Ghosts...those top 3 albums are the best and only ones that are must haves, none of their other albums come close to them. IMO
@@harryberry474 Sound advice...I'd add Bursting at the Seams
@@REPay1000 ...I have it and it's not quite as good as the ones I mentioned I also have Burning For You, Nomadness and Deep Cuts... I never listen to them though but the 3 I mentioned are fantastic.
Brilliant Scot! The Strawbs deserve so much more love!
They do!!!! So I’m doing a public service…
NIce top 5. Great albums from Strawbs. Mellotron forever.
Mellotron heaven.
I love Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where the Time Goes, but the Strawbs' version does the song no justice. I've been a Strawb's fan since 1969, when Where Is this Dream of Your Youth got a lot of airplay on KPPC-FM in LA. I have everything through Heartbreak Hill, but I don't listen to anything past Nomadness. After that LP, the Strawbs are reminiscent of Paul McCartney's output after London Town. From great to good, to good-bye.
Strawbs, the first LP, was released in May 1969, not 1970. The 1973 LP, recorded in 1968, is replicated in the 2001 release of Strawberrry Music Sampler No 1, reportedly the rarest vinyl LP in the world, with only two known copies of the original 99 left. It's mostly demos, some of which show up on other Strawbs' albums. more fully realized. I never saw the Strawbs as "progressive" rock, but Folk Rockers with attitude. It may be why Rick Wakeman didn't last, and why so many musicians cycled in and out of the band. Reportedly, Cousins has all the quirks of a Folkie, from slipping tempos, to talking blues devices. I only saw them once, in the early '70s, but it was a great show, solidifying my respect for what had attracted me in the first place.
The Ten Best Strawbs LPs:
01 G H O S T S
02 G R A V E N E W W O R L D
03 B U R S T I N G A T T H E S E A M S
04 H E R O A N D H E R O I N E
05 N O M A D N E S S
06 F R O M T H E W I T C H W O O D
07 J U S T A C O L L E C T I O N O F A N T I Q U E S A N D C U R I O S
08 D R A G O N F L Y
09 D E EP C U T S
10 S T R A W B E R R Y M U S I C S A M P L E R N O 1
Thank you!!! And thank you for the corrections!!!
An American judging Strawbs? ? ?
A fair point.
They are so underrated. Love the strawbs. Saw them at least 15 times
Wow!!!! I love them too!!!!
Awesome! Always loved the Strawbs! Ghosts is in my prog song hall of fame! I was lucky to meet David Cousins at an acoustic show (with Willoughby and Ford) in Toronto way back when. Super nice guy and I still remember his face lighting up when my buddy told him Lady of the Lake was his favorite Strawbs tune. Still have the autographed ticket some place. Cheers Scot!
I heard he was a nice guy. A little eccentric but cool.
Been a Strawbs fan for decades! Agree with most of your rankings. After watching your reviews I ordered two albums I never knew about: Settlement and The Ferryman's Curse. I will give Broken Hearted Bride and Prognostic a listen too. Thanks!!
Those are great records!!!!! Strawbs are so underrated…
You will absolutely love Ferryman
My favorite Strawbs album is Deep Cuts since that the first one I bought. So many great melodic songs!
Great band!!!!
I really like this band though it never recorded a 100% progressive album. And agree with your first two but love Bursting At Seams, at third place
I got no problem with that!!! And they were never 100% Prog. But peak Strawbs were 100% awesome…
JUST A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUES & CURIOS uno dei miei preferiti, live con materiale inedito registrato alla QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL di LONDRA nel 1970 !!!!!!!! Poi altri splendidi albums, HERO &HEROINE,GHOSTS, GRAVE NEW WORLD, FROM THE WITCHWOOD, BURSTING AT THE SEAMS, DRAGONFLY, STRAWBS, DEEP CUTS, BURNING FOR YOU, NOMADNESS, ALL OUR OWN WORK con SANDY DENNY rip , DEADLINES etc etc grande band, grande leader vocalist e anche simpatico e umile.....DAVE COUSINS!!!!!!!!! Molti importanti musicisti nella sua band gli STRAWBS fra cui il piu celebre il tastierista originale RICK WAKEMAN che poi andò poco dopo negli YES!!!!!!!!!
ANTIQUES & CURIOS is one of my favorites, too. It was the 2nd STRAWBS album I bought after GRAVE NEW WORLD.
Great Top 25 of the Strawbs !! , I'm a big fan of this band I have the double cd Strawbs Import : UnCanned preservatives , which is raw acoustic sounding unplugged but great intimate style setting ,with Sandy Denny too , it was $43.99. The price is still on the cd , I've enjoyed it for 35 years! ❤❤👈😺
Early recordings. Bought it back in the early '90s.
Great band! Love them
Me too!!!
I saw them in 79, but it was not that memorable. The Scorpions, who followed them, blew everyone else off the stage. I surmise that the Strawbs were past their best and Scorpions were hitting their best.
Rick Wakeman is always worth a mention! Keyboard Genius...
But the Scorpions in 1979 were ON FIRE!!! Strawbs were breaking up…
I enjoyed this ranking because I learnt so much. Not really a band i got into. Fairport Convention definitely. I used to go to Cropredy regularly. Saw some great groups got quite tipsy on real ale. Offered to buy Robert Plant a pint, but he politely declined.
Thank you, oh Grandmaster Jedi of prog'!
The Strawbs played on Cruise to the Edge twice that I saw. Great stuff. I guess Cousins is retired from performing now according to Dave Bainbridge.
That’s what I heard too.
Check out Crack the Sky-The Blossom Toes-ARC-Always love your positive energy!
I love Crack The Sky!!!!
Hey, check out the '71 I think it is Marmalade Album. An absolute Gem! It's called "Songs". Or maybe "Reflections of my like"-The songs Empty Bottles-and Cousin Norman in particular!
Amazing Scot, 👏👏 all you know, so grateful to just listen to the PROG Professor!! ❤️ THIS 🤗
Thank you so much!!!
Here's the ones I have
Disclaimer: I have only started collecting Strawbs albums since last August 2023 so I haven't had tons of time with them
Most to Least Favorite (as of today)
Nomadness
Hero and Heroine
Into the Witchwood
Dragonfly
Grave New World
Bursting at the Seams
The Ferryman's Curse
Deep Cuts
Burning for You
Strawbs
Deadlines
Dancing to the Devil's Beat
Ghosts
The Broken Hearted Bride
Heartbreak Hill
Settlement
The Magic of It All
An excellent choice for No 1.
Prog. Professor Scot, unsurprisingly, comes up trumps again. Linger in the university that is The Prog Corner-there's an education there for us all.....
All of us!!!!
Great. I have been wanting to check thus bamd out and thanks helps make it less daunting.
The top five are all kind of essential!!!!
I'd go and get the 70s stuff and Ferryman's Curse for sure
I must have had a guardian angel because I was led to nearly all of the greatest prog masterpieces, in real time, including your number 1, which I play and share every Autumn. The other songs you mentioned are also masterpieces. I came to the band for the same reason, and stuck with them always. Got to see them in Charlotte this century. Acoustic set, but with the main dudes.This was exemplary, and you are to be commended for your Herculean efforts. Looking forward to hearing those others you loved.
Such a great band!!!
I appreciate the updates on one of my favorite bands. A well paced and informative video.
Thank you!!! 👍👍👍❤️
Bluegrass is American. Strawbs were English folk to begin with.
I have no idea what they were doing in 1964. But it probably wasn’t bluegrass!!!
Bluegrass is folk music of the purest kind, and its influence was acknowledged by many British bands. To give just one example, The Incredible String Band did an excellent cover of Dolly Parton's My Blue Tears.
👍👍👍
Bluegrass traces its roots back to Irish and Scottish folk music.
Thanks for this brilliant presentation! LOVED IT !!! !!!
Thank you!!! 👍👍👍
Hi Scot. Great video. Listened to The Nails From.. and a top track. Really enjoyed it. I’ve listened to some of their stuff but the jury is out a little bit. I felt that during the ranking quite a few of those albums could really have been binned. Feels like when they were good they were exceptional but conversely when they were bad..
Take care buddy. All the best. Dave✅✅
Yeah, no one needs all 25 albums. Completists…
Great ranking Scot. From the Witchwood was my first Strawbs album and remains my favourite. So many great songs with just the requisite amount of folkiness. Particularly love the title track and In Amongst the Roses. Your ranking has inspired me to have a bit of a Strawbs binge over the next few days.
I’ve been binging for three weeks!!!
Very good video Scot!! I agree with your ranking of course!!! I don't know some of the albums, I have a great double compilation "The Very Best Of The Strawbs - Halcyon Days" 1997 and I think it has all their great songs but I miss "Tears and Pavan" (it's in the US edition of this double album, a little different setlist from The one I have, the UK edition). The man who called himself Jesus, The Hangman and the Papist, Benedictus, Queen Of Dreams, Stormy Down, Witchwood, Lay Down, Part Of The Union, Hero and Heroine, Ghosts, Grace Darling, Golden Salamander, Shine On Silver Sun are so great!! Thank you Scot for one more special delivery!! See you man, you rock!!!!!
I love Strawbs!!!! So good.
Spot on with the top 5! I had the privilege of knowing the late John Hawken who passed in May 2024. I got a personal performance of Heroine's Theme from Hero & Heroine in his music room. You also prompted me to revisit some of the later works - all of which I own.
That is a pretty special memory!!!
Unfamiliar with this band. Thanks or the list, and the comments....
Just incidentally, the cover at 21:11 Grave New World, that's a Wm Blake painting, Glad Day.
Yes it is!!!!!
Controversial rankings :-) That first album with Sandy Denny is beautiful. It should be ranked much higher. Same for "Heartbreak Hill", a strong album much better than "Deadlines". "Dragonfly" is a weak album.
Very hard to choose a favorite from the "70s A&M albums. All very good. I think "Ghosts" is my overall favorite.
I love Dragonfly but fair enough
Grave New World was made into a movie, a kind of promo video that was almost unknown in 1972. I watched it at the Odeon cinema in Hartlepool, where it was shown as the opener to a live film of ELP performing Pictures At An Exhibition - my God, those were the days. I've seen it on RUclips - and as an interpretation of the band's music it cannot be faulted - but a current search reveals nothing apart from a couple of excerpts.
My favourite Strawbs tracks? Benedictus (of course), New World, Heavy Disguise, On Growing Older, 30 Days, Canon Dale, Lady Fuchsia (best song ever about a fictional character) and The Winter And The Summer.
I have never seen the movie!!!!!
NOOooooo. Ghosts first! :o)) I'm amazed at the depth of their catalogue. Forgot or ignored them since the very early days. Only know your top 3. Must dive deeper .
It was a close call.
Excellent ranking. A very underrated, and I think, somewhat forgotten band. Ghosts was my entry point back in 75, and is probably my sentimental favorite. I kind of lost track of them after Deadlines other than buying Don’t Say Goodbye years later. I played these albums to death back in the day.
Me too!!!! Love me some Strawbs!!!!
Thank you for give attention to Strawbs. They are often forgotten in music rankings but one of my favourite bands of all time. Agree with most parts of your ranking but I have Bursting At The Seams and Ferrymans Curse above Grave New World. They should been huge when Hero & Heroine and Ghosts was released.
Great band!!!! They really should have been huge.
My first Strawbs album was 'Brave New World' with that great inside artwork, after that it was 'From The witchwood' great album beautiful tracks some great Mellotron from mister Wakeman , and then of course 'Hero and Heroine' another great album , must say that I did not know they had 25 albums
most of them never seen, and lots of them with very bad album artworks, but I wil check them out, thanks Scot ! by the way did you see the sot album in the progseat "TALES" what did you think of it
I watched it and was yelling at Luis every time he spoke…
It's wild that "Part Of The Union" was their biggest hit and not really at all indicative of the band's sound, especially moving forward. Great ranking!
Good point!!!!
You seriously need to listen to Heartbreak Hill again. In no sane world is that rated so low. Which BTW, David Cousins re-released that a few years ago with the proper mix that had been previously lost. He originally released it (with that red cover you show) from a rough mix tape. But to reiterate, how could an album so proggy in the late 70's, after they released a few straight rockers, be rated a stinker?
I’m give it another listen. I like the epic…
Thanks, i knew i needed another classic Strawbs album - so just ordered Grave New World after listening to your ranking. Agree on Hero and Heroine, but From the Witchwood is right up there, maybe their best. Also Nomadness is rather better than 12.
I think you might be right about Nomadness. Listened to it again last night…
Really cool to get this. Strawbs are a band that I haven’t really checked out, and only know a few songs from the early 70s albums, but they seem like a band that I would really enjoy. So, great to get this guide to their discography from someone that really knows. Much thanks!
You are welcome!!!
I don't understand why Autumn is not listed as one of the greatest progressive rock tracks of all time. Hero and Heroine & From the Witchood are my two favourite albums from Strawbs. And i love me some Deja Fou too!
I love Strawbs!!!!!
Hero and Heroine brings back so many memories. I am an old person.
Where one man's search must surely cease
The irresistible white fleece
Led Hero in search of the peace
That she alone could offer
Thus he knelt before her feet
Wary lest their eyes should meet
He knew his life was incomplete
For he had yet to suffer.
I heard that!!!!
Thanks for the ranking. Such a great underrated band. I had been waiting for Pete and Sot to do a ranking, but I don`t think that`s gonna happen.
I’ll be back on SOT this weekend!!!
Hey Jeffrey! Good to see another Strawbs fan from SoT here. Very cool to finally see a ranking of their albums.
@@TheProgCorner Cool ! looking forward to it.
@@christophercoles4401 Hey Chris. Yeah, I kind of gave up on Pete doing a Strawbs ranking. Had no idea they had so many albums out.
@@jeffreyrobinson9120 A number of their later albums aren't that good, but there are usually one or two songs that are worthwhile. The Ferryman's Curse from 2017 is a great album.
I'm surprised you did not rate 'Heartbreak Hill' much higher! 'Starting over' and the title track are two great prog tracks.
I like Starting Over!!!
Dave Cousins and Strawbs are criminally underrated
Indeed!!!!
I would have put Bursting At The Seams much higher than 5 top 3 for sure, maybe number one..
It’s a fantastic album!!!
Scott, thanks for taking the time to check out their entire discography. I have your top five Strawbs picks on vinyl and did not really know where to go from there. I love that you picked a couple of their more recent albums for your top ten, and I will seek those out, if not on vinyl. Great job once again!
Thank you!!!
Glad to see a ranking of one of my all-time favorite bands! Been a fan since "Grave New World" came out. I have the same albums in my top 5. 🙂
Yes!!!!
Yay Strawbs!🤩
👍🎹😎
Agreed on the Top 3! Well done, Scot!!
Nice; love these guys still, after all these years. They've never gotten the attention they deserve.
Especially in the US…
Its the great one. Thank you for david Cousins and the strawbs
Indeed!!!!
Predicting H&H at #1. Now I'll watch.
I wonder…
Awesome shirt Scot! Where did you find that?
A gift from one of my friends here!!! My subscribers are the best.
Interesting ! Not sure if I have seen more than 5 of those Albums !!
I like obscure stuff!!!
Hey Scot! We need a Nektar album ranking someday!! Keep on progging Prof!!!
We do need to do Nektar!!! They are on the list.
@@TheProgCorner Amazing!!
Splendid. The only tracks by The Strawbs I knew prior to this video was Part Of The Union and...er...the one before that, released as a single...similar tune to Early Morning by BJH. What's its name? I'll Hold On To You...possibly...Hold On To Me...maybe...oh, you know which one I mean! It also shows part of what Rick Wakeman did prior to joining Yes.
BTW With reference to that comment I left on an earlier video re: UNIT, that obscure Scottish (?) band I discovered recently. They've done a track called Affirmative which seems to be a playful parody (but respectful) of a typical Jon Anderson lyric. I listened to At The Academy and Earth Is Finite (again) and I really do suggest you check them out. I've tried to contact them but they seem to be very mysterious and enigmatic...or maybe they're simply crap at replying to emails.
Lay Down was released as a single in October 1972 and reached #12 in the UK. That's the one prior to Part Of The Union. The song you're thinking of might be I Only Want My Love To Grow In You from 1976, which despite plenty of radio play failed to reach the charts.
It’s annoying how many people ignore my emails…
I'm really jealous you got to see the eclipse! It wasn't visible in Europe of course...
I haven't checked out Strawbs a lot, I didn't know Sandy Danny was in the band, I love Fairport Convention!
They are a very interesting band. But at their best they rivaled the big boys.
That sounds very good, I'll start listening. They're one of the bigger bands that I have kind of ignored so far
Great job Scott. Their 1969 album may well have influenced the superb prog folk double album The Age of Mouse (1970) by Australian Doug Ashdown. A credit that does not appear on Rick Wakeman's Wikipedia is his playing on Ten Songs by Tucker Zimmerman (1969), one of David Bowie's favourite albums. The 2015 reissue has Wakeman on all 8 bonus tracks. On the original album he plays on A Face That Hasn't Sold Out.
Hi Professor PROG Scot!! ❤️ that T-shirt you are wearing. 😊 Ahh YES!
Yes indeed!!!
@@TheProgCorner👍😎
I don't know much about the Strawbs. I do have Deadlines and Burning for You. I liked them, though I haven’t listened to them in a long time. For some reason, I Don't Want to Talk About It still pops into my mind from time to time.
I like both of those albums but they did better. Way better!!! 👍👍👍
@@TheProgCorner I know better now where to look next: your top 3. 25 albums unpacked in 25 minutes!
HealingLoveALL
Hero & Heroine is my go to album too, just a brilliant effort.
It’s amazing!!!
Hey Scot. Have you ever thought about doing a Deep Purple album ranking? One of the greatest bands of all time! They were prog and psych in the beginning.🤩
I saw the tour announcement and was thinking the same thing.
@@TheProgCorner The 50th Anniversary of Smoke on the Water? I saw that too and that's what made me think of it.🤩
The Strawbs! Rick, Adam, Oliver. Primo!
It’s a Wakeman Festival.
@@TheProgCorner Didn't you say, though, that Wakeman participation was minimal? The Strawbs were still great, however.
Thanks for the ranking, great video.
What a band!!!
...having a Healing Flashback... 🥰
Yes!!!!!
Great effort, good list x
Thank you!!!!
Hey Scot, you did once again a great job as The Strawbs really should get more attention on the vc. Their first two records are absolute great folk stuffs. Gret top 3, man BTW déjà fou is French for Already crazy.
Thank you for the translation!!!!!!
Excellent band hero and heroine is a classic and deadlines and nomadness are my other favorites to
Those are better than I remembered!!!
@@TheProgCorner deadlines has that nice late 70s production to it and it's also their hardest rocking album for the time as well
It and Nomadness did not stick out for me at the time but you’re right - really cool records and yeah the production was awesome!!!
Love "Ghosts"
Oh yeah!!!
Strawbs have been one of the bands most important to me. You are correct. Don't Say Goodbye and Ringing Down the Years were only released in Canada. The gem, if you could find it, is the 5 CD box set, A Taste of Strawbs, full of rarities. For me, it's the best box set in my collection. Thanks for doing this Scot!
They were bigger in Canada than here in the US.
Love me some classic Strawbs. Unfortunately, the closest I ever got ( not very close at all, lol) to seeing them live is when I saw The Monks live in 1979.Great show Scot.
The Monks were so cool. The Strawbs go punk!!!! Kind of.
My top 4 same as your top 4 buddy!
And ghosts is my 13yo sons favourite strawbs album!
That’s awesome!!!
Thank you very much for doing a Strawbs ranking, they are my favourite band and there are very few rankings of them on youtube. Part of the fun is disagreeing, but you are not too far away from how I would list them.
It was difficult to rank a few of them as I had to play catch up!!! But I listened to every song on every album over the last few weeks. Great band.
I'm a big fan but I won't pretend to know all of those albums so thanks for doing the work. Your top 5 are certainly my favourites.
Whew!!! That was awesome. Now off to brush up on all things Soft Machine!!!
Fantastic, Scot. So many of their albums I'd never seen or heard before. Your rankings are always an inspiration to go and listen to a band's discography, whether I know most of it or not.
Thank you so much for that!!!!
@@TheProgCorner 🙏
First off I'm glad to see that you survived the apocalypse and didn't burn out your retinas!
What a severely awesome ranking Scot. I know I've hassled you about Strawbs for a bit now.
Well, my good sir you took the task to heart. I do believe you are the first person I've seen talk
so extensively about this underrated band. I sometimes think that I'm the only one to like this
band. Dave Cousins is one of my favourite prog "voices". I always have an ear out for unusual
voices. Every once in a while a voice sticks out.
I'm not gonna bother with my own ranking because yours is pretty well bang on. Although, due
to unpopular demand I rank Nomadness much higher. A definite top tier album maybe displacing
the self titled. I'm not too familiar with the sketchy years but being Canadian and everything I did
have Never Say Goodbye on cassette. I remember enjoying it back then but its been decades since
I've heard it. Bride, Ferry and Settlement were surprise albums that came out of nowhere. I think they
deserve to be in the upper echelon of their discography. Excellent stuff.
Anyways, I just wanna say thanks for doing this Scot. The love you put into it shows.
I probably wouldn’t have done this without your prompting…
@@TheProgCorner
I had a feeling that I had something to do with this. I appreciate the recognition. I'm not kidding when I said you did a great job either.
Bowie....
Thanks for doing this video Scott. Strawbs is a great band and definitely deserve to be celebrated for so much of their work. I look forward to seeing you again on Sea of Tranquility.
I’ll be on again this weekend!!!
@@TheProgCorner Cool. I'll be tuning in.
Hey Scot! Worth the wait? I think so! Thanks RUclips. Did i just say that? Lol. Have to give a shout out to Master Wakeman!🎹🎹🎹👍😎
The only reason I sought them out!!!! I had to hear the band Wakeman came from. I had heard they sucked. No one I knew liked them. But I loved them from the first listen. They were wrong. Dead wrong!!!
@@TheProgCorner👍⭐️⭐️⭐️😎
I love Burnin for you and Deep Cuts
Good albums!!!!
My friend Peter and turn me around. By the way. Have you ever heard Spyglass Guest forget the group name
It's Greenslade
Little red fry up is a classic
I LOVE GREENSLADE!!!!!!
1. Ghosts
2. Hero & Heroine
3. Grave New World
My top 3
Great list Scott ☮️
Perfect Top 3!!!!!