Two Weeks Last Summer - DAVE COUSINS***

Two Weeks Last Summer/October To May/Blue Angel/That's The Way It Ends/The Actor/When You Were A Child/Ways & Means/We'll Meet Again Sometimes/Going Home

Two Weeks Last Summer was a rare solo release from Dave Cousins at a time when he was the leading songwriter with the folk-rock group Strawbs. His former colleague keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, now with Yes, lends him a hand.

“One of the great prog rock songs is the ten minute long Blue Angel from this great solo debut by Dave Cousins, the front man of one of my very favourite bands Strawbs. The keyboards are in the very capable hands of Rick Wakeman. Other standout cuts include Two Weeks Last Summer, October To May and When You Were A Child. The rest are unfortunately filler, but if you like 70s progressive rock or Strawbs even the smallest possible amount, you really have to hear the song Blue Angel.”

“Dave is backed by top musicians and shows himself as a very convincing songwriter, piano player and acoustic guitar player. The result is a very refined and sensitive various album going from rock, ballads to the epic progressive psychedelic masterpiece Blue Angel.”

“A Strawbs album by any other name. In this case Dave Cousins teams up with Miller Anderson on four of the best songs from the album including the feature track Blue Angel. Guitar extraordinaire Miller whose resume is too long to list here adds an edge that is not heard on any of the standard Strawb releases. Some of the other songs are considerably mellower, but there is a good mix of styles consistent with any Strawbs album of the era. Any Strawbs fan who has not heard this, add it to your list. You won't be disappointed.”

“Strawbs leader Dave Cousins' first solo record Two Weeks Last Summer is a unique mix of powerful rock, psychedelia, and sensitive, deeply personal songs. Featured guests are Rick Wakeman, Roger Glover and Jon Hiseman.”

“Recorded between Strawbs projects in the early 70s, Two Weeks lacks none of the shimmering genius evident in the band's best works. Cousins serves up a feast of songs that will leave any Strawbs fan breathless.”

“I've been listening to this since it came out, and its charm never diminishes. One of those rare albums that make you feel deeply while retaining a high level of artistry.”