The Strawbs' original era drew to a close alongside the end of the '70s. They managed to consistently produce inspired material despite an array of personnel changes, not to mention a few record label changes and all the music biz politics that come with record labels. Somehow, Dave Cousins managed to keep the band going as both a recording and touring outfit, providing great songs and a sense of creative focus that sustained the group until the challenges of management and finances became insurmountable.

All three albums covered here represent a compelling and harmonious union between strong songwriting, ambitious musicianship and that vintage, earthy yet cleanly defined style of recording that defined so many great albums of the '70s.