“HE MAY BE GONE… BUT HIS GREATEST MASTERPIECE IS ABOUT TO LIVE AGAIN. 🕊️🎶 — STRAWBS’ MOST LEGENDARY ALBUM RETURNS IN A WAY FANS NEVER THOUGHT THEY’D SEE.” One year after the passing of Dave Cousins, Strawbs have announced the release of Grave New World Live—the only complete concert performance ever recorded of the band’s iconic 1972 album. Captured live in New Jersey in 2019 and featuring original members John Ford and Blue Weaver, the emotional recording will arrive as a strictly limited edition of just 1,000 vinyl copies worldwide, with all of Cousins’ royalties supporting young musicians in accordance with his final wishes.

A new live version of Strawbs’ legendary 1972 album, Grave New World, is to be released as a limited edition live release through Witchwood Records on October 9 as part of Strawbs’ 50^th Anniversary – the only ever concert rendition of the band’s landmark record.

Today marks the first anniversary of mainman Dave Cousins’ passing, and the label have shared a live video of Benedictus, one of Cousins’ own favourite Strawbs songs from the band album of which he was most proud,

The recording comes from a live performance from the Lakewood Theatre, New Jersey on April 27, 2019, and features John Ford and Blue Weaver, both of whom played alongside Cousins on the original album, along with Brian Willoughby, Cathryn Craig, Tony Fernandez and Eric Bazilian, and with Wesley Stace as Narrator.

Grave New World Live has been produced by Larry Fast (Peter Gabriel, Foreigner, Nektar and Hall & Oates), and mastered at Abbey Road by Geoff Pesche (Dire Straits, Coldplay, Mike Oldfield).

All of Cousins’ royalties resulting from this album will be given to the University Of Leicester and Bangor University, in accordance with his wishes as expressed in his Will, to further the opportunities for musically talented young people.

Grave New World Live will be available as a limited pressing, just 1,000 for the world, gatefold LP with booklet – presented libretto-style, as was the original studio album.