FROM THE WITCHWOOD

The term "folk" normally fills me with dread...all those Morris men and hey nonny no's....but I have to admit to being taken with this album. It's subtle and exhibits moments of delicacy and also of real passion. "Glimpse of Heaven" which opens paints an evocative picture of the English countryside; but the lyrics are not naive and neither is the music; moving on, "The Hangman and The Papist" telling a harrowing story of divided loyalties and prejudice. The Strawbs at this time of course featured a certain Mr Wakeman but its no suprise to me to find his playing an integral part of the whole - a strong performance but no grandstanding; however, it's no suprise he moved on to other things, perhaps finding the format of the Strawbs a little restrictive. A fine album. 4 stars.