Hero and Heroine explained

Hero and Heroine
Type:studio
Artist:Strawbs
Cover:hero and heroine.jpg
Released:March 1974
Recorded:November 1973, Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen
Genre:Progressive rock[1]
Length:39:36
Label:A&M, (UK)
Producer:Dave Cousins, Tom Allom
Prev Title:All Our Own Work
Prev Year:1973
Next Title:Strawbs by Choice
Next Year:1974

Hero and Heroine is the seventh studio album by English band Strawbs.

Background

After the tour supporting the previous album, Bursting at the Seams (1973), there was an acrimonious split leaving only Dave Cousins and Dave Lambert to rebuild the band. John Hawken of The Nashville Teens and Renaissance on keyboards, Chas Cronk on bass and Rod Coombes on drums from Juicy Lucy and Stealers Wheel completed the line-up. The new line-up gelled very quickly and studio sessions were very productive. The album was released first in the US to a warm reception, and then in the UK where reviews were less positive. The album only reached number 35 on the UK Album Charts[2] and the band increasingly began to look to North America for a successful future.

All band members made writing contributions, notably Chas Cronk, with whom Cousins would write many songs on future albums.

Critical reception

Stephen Lambe, author of Citizens of Hope and Glory: The Story of Progressive Rock, has called it "their most prog album" and has identified John Hawken's Mellotron playing as "a particular highlight".[1] The album ranked number 44 in 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time list of Rolling Stone magazine.[3]

Track listing

The following tracks did not feature on the original vinyl release, but were included as bonus tracks on the A&M reissue.

Personnel

Additional personnel

Recording

Recorded at Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen.[4]

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalogComment
United KingdomA&Mstereo LPAMLH 63607
United StatesA&Mstereo LPSP 3607
CanadaA&MLP, 8-track, cassette, CDSP-3607, 8T-3607, CS-3607, VPCD 3607
  1. 70 [5]
WorldwideA&MCD540 935-2Remastered with bonus tracks
JapanA&MCDUICY-9216

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lambe. Stephen. Citizens of Hope and Glory: The Story of Progressive Rock. 2013. Amberley Publishing. The Hill, Stroud. 9781445607375. 58. Second. 25 August 2015.
  2. http://www.everyhit.com UK Top 40 database
  3. Web site: 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time. Rolling Stone. 27 November 2016.
  4. Web site: Strawbs 73 to 75: JohnHawken.com. johnhawken.com. 7 November 2016.
  5. Web site: RPM Top 100 Albums - May 11, 1974.