DON'T SAY GOODBYE

A 1987 album by Cousins & co, the "& co" including early Strawbs members Tony Hooper and Richard Hudson. Cousins inevitably dominates the song writing but Richard Hudson contributes a couple, and former member Chas Cronk also works with Cousins on a further couple.

The songs are generally only average, see "Ringing down the years" a couple of years later for this line up's best album. Hudson's guitar work on his instrumental track "Tina Del Fada" is superb, but he spoils things completely with "Big brother", which is literally "Part of the union part 2".

"Something for nothing" is one of the better tracks, with a good synth solo, and some fine guitar, but in truth it would only be an average track on their classic albums. Cousins generously allows Hooper to take lead vocals on "Evergreen" (written by Cousins), and Hooper repays the complement by delivering a beautifully simple interpretation. "That's when the crying starts" is the "title" track, a lilting mid-paced tearjerker, pleasant but forgettable. "Beat the retreat" is a likeable lullaby with a slightly Scottish air, making for a peaceful ending to the album.

An enjoyable but far from essential Strawbs offering.

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