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by phone (01536 399 011 - outside UK +44 1536 399 011),

or by fax (01536 399012 - outside UK +44 1536 399 012).

The album is also available from many other leading stockists of great music, including Amazon.

The Making of "Touch the Earth".....

On the strength of just two of the songs on "Touch the Earth" - the title track and "The Night", both made in 1981 - EMI were highly interested in signing the musicians involved - DAVE LAMBERT (vocals and guitars), CHAS CRONK (vocals, bass, guitars), Tony Fernandez (drums) and Andy Richards (keyboards), who possess between them an impressive pedigree of musicianship, having worked with many bands of the highest calibre including STRAWBS, RICK WAKEMAN, THE PET SHOP BOYS, STEVE HACKETT'S BAND, FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, CRY NO MORE, FIRE, KING EARL BOOGIE BAND and many more. Unfortunately, due to a plethora of other musical commitments that signing didn't come to fruition, and the material on this album remained unreleased until April 2007.

Nick Magnus and Ian Mosley, excellent musicians with whom Chas Cronk was working in STEVE HACKETT'S BAND in the early 1980's, and whose musical careers to date include working with MARILLION, GORDON GILTRAP, THE ENID, RENAISSANCE and many other excellent artists, were later recruited to contribute to eight further tracks - Nick adding keyboards, drums and sequencing, and Ian adding percussion.

Dave Lambert's "One and Only" and Chas Cronk's "A Splash of Blue" are both brand new songs however, written and recorded in 2006/7, in the midst of their constant touring and recording commitments with Strawbs and Acoustic Strawbs.

"Touch the Earth" is therefore a unique album for many reasons; it involved the joining together of several talented musicians, possessing between them a wealth of musical experience, to create an excellent collection of songs which ooze popular appeal. Dave Lambert's rich and incredibly versatile vocals lead the way on all tracks except for the album's final offering, which Chas Cronk sings, letting everyone into the (until now) rather well-kept secret of his superb vocal talents.

The album insert features some attractive artwork and credits show that both Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk added some keyboards; Dave added some percussion also, and an informative piece written by him gives welcome insight into the way the album came about.

For those who appreciate the superb and highly significant contributions which Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk have made to Strawbs' songs over the years therefore, this album gives a welcome opportunity to hear how solidly their musicianship stands on its own merits. However, although the album is sure to appeal to such an audience, "Touch the Earth" deserves success far beyond Strawbs' aficionados, for a wide diversity of musical genres are hinted at within its twelve tracks: if you fancy some rock/pop, 60's retro sounds of varying ilks, a bit of blues, a hint of funk and soul, and a touch of the relaxing and ethereal, all involving some amazing electric guitar playing, a rhythm section that rocks, a kaleidoscope of keyboards and a whole lot more…. then "Touch the Earth" is very definitely for you.

Currently, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk are both members of STRAWBS in two different formats: an electric 5-piece line-up, and also an acoustic 3-piece line-up, both of which frequently play in many countries worldwide in addition to writing and recording new material. Dave and Chas have contributed extensively to many of the band's most well-received albums including:

"BURSTING AT THE SEAMS"..."HERO AND HEROINE"..."GHOSTS"..."NOMADNESS"..."DEEP CUTS"..."BURNING FOR YOU"..."DEADLINES"..."HEARTBREAK HILL"..."CONCERT CLASSICS"..."THE COMPLETE STRAWBS (CHISWICK '98)"..."BAROQUE AND ROLL" ..."BLUE ANGEL"..."DEJA FOU"..."FULL BLOOM"..."LIVE AT NEARFEST"..."PAINTED SKY"..."A TASTE OF STRAWBS" (Boxed set)..."NY '75" (live - Calderone Theatre, NY)..."LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS"...."THE BROKEN HEARTED BRIDE"

and the following DVDs:

"THE COMPLETE STRAWBS - LIVE AT CHISWICK HOUSE"..."STRAWBS LIVE IN TOKYO '75/GRAVE NEW WORLD"..."ACOUSTIC STRAWBS LIVE AT HUGH'S ROOM IN TORONTO"..."LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS".

Available in double CD or DVD format, LAY DOWN WITH THE STRAWBS was recorded live at The Robin 2 in Bilston on 5th March 2006 and captures the power and the glory of the electric line-up of Strawbs, including both Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk. Special guest John Ford joined them for an acoustic "show within a show". "Lay Down With The Strawbs" features live versions of all the band's hit singles, including "Part of the Union", and many classic album tracks spanning their 40 year career.

Acoustic Strawbs (Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk) opened for Rick Wakeman at two very special concerts at Hampton Court Palace on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd May 2009, held to commemorate the 500 years' which have passed since King Henry VIII's accession to the throne.

During the concerts, Rick (a former member of Strawbs himself) performed his classic album "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" in its entirety. The album had never previously been played live in this way and the concerts proved unforgettable, with Hampton Court Palace's West Front providing the most appropriate of surroundings. Fittingly, all three members of acoustic Strawbs played on "The Six Wives" album, which achieved iconic status worldwide.

A DVD featuring acoustic Strawbs' magnificent performances at the concerts, with the most majestic of backdrops imaginable, will shortly be available. Watch this space!