Music of the Day, 9 July 2025

precious gifts I bring you

While out this morning seeing to some errands before the heat got too bad, my mind wandered to the song

Charles in San Francisco

wrote about yesterday as his “Song of the Week.” I’ve no recollection of hearing the Electric Prunes when I was young, but if the track he chose is typical of their sound, I’d have really liked them.

The music playing in the grocery store was more in the style of yesterday’s MotD (not linked here for your protection), and by the time I finished shopping, I needed an aural¹ cleanse. Wanting something in that crazy style, a list of possible bands came to mind.

By the time I got home, the list was whittled down to one. Not being familiar with most of their music, I selected a promising album title. The second track I listened to provided exactly what I craved.

“Queen of Dreams” is maybe the best mashup of folk and psychedelic (prog?) music I’ve heard so far. It’s from Strawbs’ fourth studio album, Grave New World, which was released in 1972. It was the first album to have Blue Weaver on keys, as Rick Wakeman had left the band to join Yes.

I had a hard time trying to figure out all the instruments used, in part because of the backward-playing tracks in the first part of “Queen of Dreams.” Even consulting its Wiki page didn’t help a lot—I swear I hear at least one flute in there, but it’s either an electric dulcimer (played by songwriter and singer Dave Cousins) or Weaver’s Mellotron. Rounding out Strawbs’ lineup for this song are: John Ford (bass); Tony Hooper (backing vocals, acoustic guitar); and Richard Hudson (drums).

So far, every Strawbs song I’ve listened to has been right in the pocket for me—and they’re still an active band! Their last album was released just four years ago. I don’t expect every song will be a winner², but the odds so far are very promising. Song and/or album suggestions are welcome.

1. “aural” as in related to hearing, not to my aura … but that probably isn’t too wide of the target either

2. the first song I listened to today is rather too on the nose politically. I don’t want to jangle that nerve overmuch for anyone, but I expect it will show up here at some point