From: petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com
Sent: 29 August 2010 08:22
Subject: Pete Fyfe - Book Review
Attachments: Dave Cousins book.jpg
SECRETS, STORIES & SONGS -
Dave Cousins (Witchwood Media Limited)
For those of us lucky enough to
have experienced the late 60's and early 70's music circuit, we probably
enjoyed the most fruitful period of British ?folk' music. Personally speaking
those days were peppered with the delights of my first foray into the art of
the folk-rock genre including bands such as the traditionally rooted Fairport
Convention/Steeleye Span and the occasional banner waving contemporary
excursions of The Strawbs. At the time, I may have been more enamoured by the
buoyant, flashy instrumental dexterity of Steeleye and the JSD Band but it was
Cousins lyrics that made me aware that words were every bit (if not more)
important to the construction of the finished product. Following a career
spanning some forty plus years and twenty-seven albums to his credit Dave
produced some of the best lyrics (at least in my opinion) to enter ?folk'
legend and far beyond. Heathen that I am, I suppose I'm the kind of bloke that
appreciates his lyrics to scan in four lines followed by a good chorus but in
the case of Cousins (and Cat Stevens) I'll make an exception. For me, it all
started with the "Dragonfly" album and the decidedly weird but wonderful track
"Poor Jimmy Wilson"? a song of bullying that leaves the listener guessing the
fate of this tragic character. Perhaps, on reflection, the story is an
uncomfortable read but at least it makes you think. The book itself is an
attractively packaged tome housing two hundred and twenty one songs taking the
reader on a chronological tour through Dave's career to date. By re-treading
his steps with sound bites and anecdotes from the early days of Sandy Denny's
involvement with the band (The Strawbs) through to the current day, the content
proves a fascinating and (at times) grin-inducing read. Of course, the nice thing
about putting cathartic pen to paper is that you can reveal as much?or as
little? as you want in the full-on glare of a public who were originally only
privy to your inner most thoughts by way of aural rendition. So, here we have
Dave's words, eloquently displayed with lyrics and stories side by side in an
easy to read presentation with helpful notes on the guitar tunings he employed
and the bonus of a ?spoken word' CD featuring the well-rounded vowels of the
man himself. Now, if you'll excuse me I've got a lot of reminiscing to catch up
on. www.witchwoodrecords.co.uk
PETE FYFE