Gentle, honest songs

5:27pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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Secret Paths: Dave Cousins (Witchwood Media).

Dave Cousins, leader and main songwriter of Strawbs from the release of the band's first album in 1968, seems to have found a new lease of life in recent years, releasing several new albums and touring extensively.

He is in the midst of his first ever solo tour, which has started in the USA and Canada.

Secret Paths focuses on the songs he is singing during the live shows. The 11 tracks are all fairly gentle and feature Dave on acoustic guitar and vocals and Melvin Duffy on pedal steel and Hawaiian guitar.

The album is quiet and contemplative and I found it rather one-paced. You can't deny the quality of the songs but I would have preferred a little more variety.

The vocals are honest and delivered without any effects, the acoustic guitar work is simple but effective and the pedal steel guitar keens away plaintively.

Highlights are I Turned My Face Into The Wind; Ringing Down The Years, a reflection by Dave on news that former band member Sandy Denny had died; and Beat The Retreat.

The lyrics and tone are pastoral and there are moments of beauty. But I think I would want a few rousing and upbeat songs including if I was in the audience at one of the live shows.

Secret Paths is released on April 1.

Go to http://strawbsweb.co.uk/ for more details.