Strawbs - Acoustic Strawbs: Baroque & Roll (2001)

The Strawbs were the trio of Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, and Brian Willoughby on this acoustic recording, all of them playing acoustic guitar (with Cousins adding some dulcimer and banjo, too). The group mixed acoustic interpretations of tunes from the Strawbs' catalog, such as "Benedictus" and "Tears and Pavan," with new material in the same mood on this album. Occasionally, they're embroidered with string arrangements by Robert Kirby (famous for doing arrangements for Nick Drake, the Strawbs, and several other British folk-rockers). While this might lack the sense of fire and adventure in their best work, the songs do lend themselves well to spare, unplugged settings, particularly due to their somber lyrics, bittersweet melodies, and weathered, longing vocals. Many albums that combine remakes of old songs with new ones are grotesque failures, destroying what made vintage material special and inadvertently highlighting a deceleration of songwriting acumen by placing superior efforts from the past next to inadequate ones from the present. This is a welcome exception to that syndrome, proving it's possible to present an integrated vision of the old and new with grace and dignity.