| Ghosts | 
 enlarge | List Price: $14.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 16 reviews)
Sales Rank: 6281
Category: Music
Artist: The Strawbs
Publisher: Polygram UK
Studio: Polygram UK
Manufacturer: Polygram UK
Label: Polygram UK
Format: Extra Tracks, Import, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 766484861420
EAN: 0766484861420
ASIN: B00000G6TP
Release Date: October 12, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Ghosts(Medley) | | • | Lemon Pie | | • | Starshine/Angel Wine | | • | Where Do You Go(When You Need A Hole To Crawl In) | | • | The Life Of The Auction(Medley) | | • | Don't Try To Cahnge Me | | • | Remembering | | • | You And I(When We Were Young) | | • | Grace Darling | | • | Changes Are Us |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
Digitally remastered reissue of the group's 1975 A&M album with 'Changes Arrange Us' (the B-side of the 'Grace Darling'single) added as a bonus track, for a total of 11 cuts. 'Ghosts' was the band's first album to break the U.S. top 50. 1998 A&M release.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Another fine album from the Hero and Heroine lineup September 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have always appreciated The Strawbs blend of folky, acoustic textures, great songwriting, and more "progressive" inclinations and this 1975 release has it all. Together with Hero and Heroine (1974), Ghosts finds the group at a peak and is a fairly warm sounding album. This remastered effort by A&M is OK and features detailed liner notes and a single bonus track (which is also OK but does not add much). The sound quality is good, albeit a bit muddy.
This happens to be my favorite lineup (which was also on the Hero and Heroine album) and includes Dave Cousins (vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, recorder), Dave Lambert (vocals, acoustic/electric guitars), John Hawken (piano, electric piano, harpsichord, mellotron, mini-moog synthesizer, Hammond Organ and Pipe organ), Chas. Cronk (bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals), and Rod Coombes (drums, percussion, backing vocals). There is some fine group playing and songwriting throughout. Unfortunately, this would be the last Strawbs album with this lineup.
Musically, this album presents a mixture of heavier, darker "proggy" tracks, along with a few upbeat and cheery songs that have a few fairly rocking moments (Where do you go/Don't try to Change Me). Although I enjoy the whole album, my favorite tracks include the lengthy title track (8:30) and the gloomy Life Auction (6:52), both of which are arranged as mini-suites, along with the "nice" song You and I.
Rich vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars and sustained pads on the mellotron (with string setting) add a symphonic fullness to the music, while some imaginative bass playing from Chas. Cronk adds more of a rock element. Although electric guitars are used as a solo instrument and there are some great solos, they are not obtrusive and an intimate quality is maintained throughout. Synthesizer textures are also well chosen - the spacey mini-moog part on Remembering/You and I is perhaps the warmest tone color I have heard used on this synthesizer.
Ghosts is a fine album for those folks that do not mind a softer, folkier, more song-based approach to progressive rock and is recommended along with Grave New World (1972) and Hero and Heroine. Other groups operating in a similar vein include Barclay James Harvest.
Virtual Majesty On a Sea of Nightmarish Dreams.. March 2, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Somewhere in-between this plain of existence and the next one are where ghosts reside. Real or imaginary? Of substance or of no consequence? But, in that, there are also so many different types of ghosts. They inhabit your thoughts, your dreams and can be so pleasing or else a nightmare of dire proportions. The Strawbs convey this, and much more with "Ghosts".
But, before I go further I should explain that, even at this late date, The Strawbs remain a glorious find, and the best kept secret from the masses. For those who are familiar with them, they are well aware of the diversity, power, talent and musical smarts this band has. The Strawbs have had alot of personnel changes over the years. But, somehow, even in that, the players have been top-notch quality. Kudos go to Dave Cousins for the uniquest vocals in the universe and for the wisdom to know that true success lies in the love of music, and not that old god money which pervert so many souls.
But, onwards to "Ghosts". To me, this is an advanced step towards progressive rock which was a rising consideration in the musical arena at the time. They moved from their English folktune roots towards a more rock, classically based band. Yet, even in that, "Ghosts" retain a part of that as well as having other musical motifs enter the soundscape as well. Regal, disturbing, subtle, sweet and clamoring music. Alternating between earthly concerns and spiritual freedom. This music is music of shades and shadows, what is revealed and what is hidden. But, with the goal of what can be known as the ultimate consideration.
We begin with "Ghosts", an interesting composition, broken into (essentially) a 3 part musical and thematic motif. The lullabye of a) sweet dreams to the falling into sleep of b) night light, We then begin the nightmare of c) guardian angel, who, fights hard to ward off the oppressive doom, only to falter. This musical section conveys the push and tug of war. Opressive and appropriate. But then, we emerge back to the music of b) nightlight once again and thankfully wake to a new dawn. Morning. A musical excursion that stands alone in how well it's thought out.
"Lemon Pie" then becomes the musical happiness we so much need after "Ghosts". An off the cuff, sprightly tune, it is a simple prog-rock love lift. No more, no less. "Starshine/Angel Wine" has, as you would expect, two musical motifs. Beautifully classical at the beginning, Starshine, is synonymous with all things sweet and slightly detectable. But, mores the pity, because it moves to a harkening plea that we all need to drink of that angel wine. An ode, I feel, to a need to retain an innocence and goodness within the self.
"Where Do You Go" is a jumpy little tune to give some comfort. The Strawbs within this album somehow feel the need to give solace to the innocent of spirit. Interesting. Consequently, the next song "The Life Auction" is a harrowing experience (yet again). The music parallels the noble, manic yearning to overcome the greed and avarice. "Take my rings and trinkets bright, but leave me eyes which give me light, my tongue which gives me leave to speak, the rest is yoursand welcome". Meaning, I will keep the things of real value. Remarkable words. Courageous words.
We move to "Don't Try to Change Me", which, in love especially, could be a disastrous misstep. A lively uptempo song by Dave Lambert, he reveals truth in, yet, another surprise song along the way. "Remembering" is a soft, musical interlude by John Hawken seguing into "You and I (when we were young)". A lovely tune, looking back from age to the tenderness of youth and love. With these songs, we come out of the ghosts of the past. We look back, but hold on to the things that are truly of value. Same holds true of "Grace Darling", a beautiful composition. One of remembrance and homage to a true love, who has always been the inspiration for a man to move forward in his life. I love this tune. It is gorgeous, glorious, and it shows what one person can mean in one's life. How essential that is.
"Changes Are Us", the extra bonus track, to my mind feels out of place. It does not add nor detract from the main body of work, thus it is just a curiosity. But, a pleasant one. "Ghosts" is a most unique experience for those who want to take the chance. Always melodic, but sometimes jarring, you will sail across pleasant seas of knowing, or thinking that you know. But there will be upheaval, and then we will see whether the ship you are in can make it through the storm. Not a problem. The Strawbs have provided enough ammunition here to make your fondest nightmares, or dreams, come true. It is, after all, always up to you.
A fine band. A fine proffering. A very fine recommendation.
The 7th Son on the 7th Seas ------- Metamorpho
One of My Favorites April 21, 2007
This was one of my favorite albums of the 70's and I still own the vinyl LP purchased in 1975. I just purchased the remastered CD of this album and it is fantastic.
This music is so interesting. Tastefully complex without being overblown and with compelling lyrics. Without a doubt this is one of the best acoustic/electric rock bands of the 70's that nobody today knows about, unless you were a fan back then.
There are some great electric guitar riffs in this and other albums of this period of their recording history, but you often have to wait through lengthy acoustic portions before it rocks. A good example of this is "Starshine/Angel Wine". The first part of this song is almost like a children's lullaby with a great cello mixed with piano and soft drums (the cello, by the way, really pops out on the CD and I don't remember it being as clear on the LP). But what made this band great for me was how they would transition from this to a great electric guitar riff like what happens about 2 minutes into this song. "Don't Try to Change Me" is similar, beginning as a light upbeat acoustic tune, and then introducing a biting electric guitar at the 1 minute mark.
But the real masterpieces of this CD are the long Cousins tunes, "Ghosts" and "The Life Auction" and two very moving acoustic ballads, "You and I" and "Grace Darling". Not much I can say except all four of these songs are stunning. "You and I" starts with a soft electric piano and then has a neat little acoustic guitar addition at about 0:53 that just simply makes the song. It ends with a great lyric that symbolizes the carefree youth of the day:
"The road to nowhere never climbs
we changed direction a dozen times
That was you and I when we were young"
I admit I always wanted Strawbs to rock a little harder. I thought they were very close to the acoustic songs on the Led Zeppelin III album, or "Over The Hills And Far Away" on Led Zeppelin's fifth album, "House of the Holy". But they never would make that transition completely and got swallowed up in the disco and punk movements of the late 70's.
A couple of details about this CD I don't like but I won't knock a star off because of it. The booklet does not include the lyrics even though the original LP did. Also, if you try to rip "And You and I" or "Grace Darling" to the computer as separate songs, you'll find that the point of transition from one song to another is a bit sloppy and a little blip of the previous song can be heard at the beginning of these songs. But other than that, this is a great CD. The bonus track is OK but I don't think as good as the original songs.
This was my favorite album for many years back in my Progressive Rock days December 29, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This album "Ghosts" had some of the Strawbs strongest writing. I was never too fond of the title track, but the lesser known tracks called "The Life Auction" and "You and I (When We were Young)" and "Grace Darling" are their absolute best. I didn't care how expensive these Strawbs imports were, I had to get my Strawbs albums on CD quickly before they changed their minds and suddenly discontinued them. "Lemon Pie" and "Starshine/Angel Wine" could have easily been great pop chart singles, but that never happened. In fact, nothing ever charted on the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts from the Strawbs. Some of their albums charted, but no singles. This album of "Ghosts" charted #47 in 1975, which was their higher charted album in the US. They started going downhill from there.
After their "Nomadness" album, the Strawbs continued to have band member changes and they drifted further away from both of their Folk and their Progressive influences and started to sound more like a typical pop music group that was already the sound that was saturating the pop music charts. It was all so easily dismissible since the Strawbs were so strong during their A&M days. Only true Strawbs loyalists continued to buy the Strawbs albums (I'm guilty of this too, nowadays) even after A&M gave up on them. Their immediate follow-up albums (from the Oyster label) were "Deep Cuts" and "Burning for You". There are a few good tunes, but these albums are easily and regrettably forgettable.
The album afterwards, called "Deadlines" ended strong. Their songs "Deadly Nightshade" and "Words of Wisdom" are two of Dave Cousins best songs ever.
Strawbs continued to perform and release albums in later years. Dave Cousins still likes to find old band members who probably have nothing better to do, and they've done some shows and released some albums. In 1988, their album "Don't Say Goodbye" and 1991's "Ringing Down the Years" are both pretty good. I think these two albums are better than their albums from the late seventies after "Nomadness".
But, alas, they were running out of creative ideas yet again, and started to lose their appeal once again. What's frustrating about the Strawbs is that Dave Cousins likes to keep re-recording earlier songs, like he thinks he's improving on them. I wish he wouldn't do this. In 2002, Dave Cousins got together with Rick Wakeman and recorded another album together. Rick Wakeman left the Strawbs back in 1971 to join Yes and to do solo projects. And even on this Cousins and Wakeman album, Cousins still did some re-recordings that Rick Wakeman had nothing to do with back in their heyday.
Dave Cousins seems to be the only member of the Strawbs that was on every Strawbs album. All the other members just came and went over the years. But, I'm sure that every Strawbs fan will agree that the Strawbs best albums were the albums of the A&M years (1969-1975). If you can find it, look for their double CD called "Halcyon Days" (the US version). It is the very best of the Strawbs put together all in one great double CD package. In fact, it was done so well that it is very obvious that A&M have no intentions of releasing their albums separately. You'd have to buy their expensive imports as I have.
I hope someday they will release the Hudson-Ford albums on CD. These two guys contributed to what made the folk side of the Strawbs so strong back in their earlier days.
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, the Strawbs, Yes, Pink Floyd, Triumvirat, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Rick Wakeman, and Monty Python's Flying Circus. These were the strongest influences in my life as a kid. The Strawbs are still performing shows throughout England. They have a following just like the Grateful Dead had here in America. I'd like to see them come do a show here in California. Perhaps they could do a double billing with maybe Blackmore's Night. That would be a great show where they would actually compliment each other being seen together. What do you think? Strawbs fan's should check out Blackmore's Night.
Pass the Jam Please.... January 12, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This cd, along with Hero, Bursting and Grave new world, are among the finest Strawbs or anyone else have recorded. I was fortunate to see them live this summer with the Hero lineup and they were fantastic! THe new lp is pretty great in itself. I will never understand why this group with two strong writer/singers {the two Daves} and keyboard player magnificent John Hawken, never got the praise they deserved. But to those who know them and we are a mighty bunch, the Strawbs will always be KINGS OF PROG!
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