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Strawbs share live video of Benedictus as 1972 classic Grave New World gets new limited edition live release
A new live version of Strawbs’ 1972 album Grave New World is being released as a limited edition through Witchwood Records on 9 October, tied to the band’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The release is notable because it captures what the article describes as the only full concert performance of the album, giving fans a rare live document of one of the group’s landmark works. Louder also highlights the timing: the announcement coincides with the first anniversary of Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins’ death, adding emotional significance to the release.
The label has shared a live video of Benedictus, a song said to have been one of Cousins’ favourites from the album he was most proud of. The recording comes from a performance at the Lakewood Theatre in New Jersey on 27 April 2019 and features original Grave New World players John Ford and Blue Weaver alongside Brian Willoughby, Cathryn Craig, Tony Fernandez and Eric Bazilian, with Wesley Stace as narrator. According to the article, Grave New World Live was produced by Witchwood Records as a commemorative release centred on a classic album from 1972.
In short
- Strawbs are releasing a rare live Grave New World recording
- The announcement marks a year since Dave Cousins died
- Benedictus has been shared as a preview video
Explained simply
Grave New World is a 1972 album by the Strawbs, a progressive folk-rock group. A new limited edition live recording of this landmark album has been released, capturing what is described as the only full concert performance of the record.
The timing of this release carries particular significance. This year marks both fifty years since the album's original release and the first anniversary of the death of Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins, who died in October 2025. Cousins was especially proud of Grave New World and championed its songs throughout his career.
The live recording was captured at Lakewood Theatre in New Jersey in April 2019 and features several of the original musicians who played on the 1972 album, including keyboardist Blue Weaver and guitarist John Ford, alongside other musicians. The label has shared a video of the song Benedictus, which Cousins considered one of his favourite tracks from the album.
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