DEEP CUTS

I've noticed quite a few pro and con reviews of this album by the venerated Strawbs, so it might be a good idea to put some things into perspective. Aside from leaving A&M records for Deep Purple's Oyster label, the Strawbs were on a downward slide at this point in their career, especially in their home of England. Dave Cousins was having a hard time coming up with songs so he teamed up bassist Chas Cronk to write the majority of the songs for Deep Cuts, with varying results.

Desperate to have a hit again in the U.K., Cousins and company put themselves in the hands of producer Rupert Holmes (yes, he of the infamous Pina Colada song! Egads!)

Well, with naturally a slicker than slick production sound that emphasized the group's vocal harmonies on a majority of songs (never one of the band's strong suites), mediocre songs simply turned into trash.

The album does have a few stand out tracks, like Simple Visions and Beside the Rio Grande, but Holmes' flat AOR style production simply strangles the songs and renders them sterile.

I can appreciate that the band were taking desperate measures to rejuvenate thier appeal, but I cannot appreciate the results found on this album. It's simply a display of a once great prog band losing direction coupled with waning inspiration and, ultimately, desperation. 2 stars.

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