Brian Willoughby Talks ‘The Bridge’ Album With Dave Cousins

‘The Bridge’ from the late Dave Cousins & Brian Willoughby will be released on Friday 28th November 2025 on digipak CD and digital via Witchwood Records, distributed by RSK Entertainment. Brian Willoughby very kindly spoke to us about the record: 

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My two elder cousins playing “Worried Man Blues” to me, in the mid-1950s.

 

‘The Bridge’ from Cousins & Willoughby will be released on Friday 28th November on digipak CD and digital via Witchwood Records, distributed by RSK Entertainment. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

Dave and I had a successful first duo album, “Old School Songs”, with both of us playing acoustic guitars. For “The Bridge” we decided to have other musicians join us, for a more electric, band-like sound.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded it in West London, at Sonet in Acton and at Chiswick Reach. Dave and I produced it.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

At Chiswick Reach Studios, the engineer was Vic Keary and at Sonet, it was Kenny Denton. These were two of the wittiest characters you could hope for, so sessions were never dull with them at the helm, telling stories about stars they’d recorded. I’m surprised any work was done, we laughed so much!

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Everything was recorded on to 2” tape, but the essential ingredients were always the mic placements by Kenny and Vic — their acoustic guitar, piano and drum sounds are magnificent. I used a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp for most of the electric guitar sounds and the bass was DI’d.

 

Which of your album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) “Do You Remember?” b) “Oh So Sleepy” c) “The Plain”

 

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

Blue Weaver (piano / keyboards), Chas Cronk (bass, Taurus pedals, backing vocals), Tony Fernandez (drums), Richard Hudson (drums), Rod Demick (bass, harmonica), Jana Heller, Tommy Lundy, Roy Hill (backing vocals).

 

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

We decided to call the album “The Bridge”, as it is a crossover between our acoustic approach and that of the full electric Strawbs.

 

Did you have any special guests feature on the album?

Yes, Beatles’ protégée Mary Hopkin sang 4 duets with Dave. Both he and I worked with her in the early ‘70s and she is still my dear friend.

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

No, Dave had the majority of the songs ready and our co-writes were conceived and finished very quickly.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

Richard Huggard.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Warrenpoint, Co.Down, Northern Ireland. “A picturesque, musical mini-Nashville.”

 

How do you look after your voice?

Ha-ha, I’m afraid I don’t sing!

 

I would like to give you the opportunity to say anything that you would like about David Cousins including any memories, stories, moments that you would like to share?

As a teenager, I used to watch The Strawberry Hill Boys at the Folk Club they ran, in Hounslow, West London. I gave Dave a tape of some of my instrumentals and after he played on Mary Hopkin’s “Earth Song, Ocean Song” album, he recommended me when she was looking for someone to play ‘live’ with her, so he started my career in music.

Dave was a brilliant musician, with perfect pitch and I always enjoyed playing with him, particularly as a duo.

He referred to my lead guitar parts as “Twiddly Bits”, so I used that title for an album of guitar instrumentals that I recorded during the Covid lockdown! Dave really liked the record.

I was a Strawb for 26 years, re-joining for their 40th. and 50th. Anniversary shows and I readily accepted Dave’s invitation to join him for his final performance, at Cropredy Festival in August 2023.

R.I.P. my good friend and mentor.

 

Do you have any new music, releases or live appearances planned in 2025/2026?

Yes, I work with my wife, the American singer-songwriter Cathryn Craig and we will be touring England in October ’25 and again in the spring of ’26. Please see our website, for details … www.craigandwilloughby.com

We have recorded 6 duo CDs, plus 3 solos each and we are writing songs for a 2026 release.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I’m a Dickens fan and I’d love to use some of my “Twiddly Bits” as the background to “Great Expectations”!

 

What makes Brian Willoughby happy and what makes you unhappy?

I’m an avid guitar collector and at my happiest with a new toy in my hands! “Unhappy”? …when something technical goes wrong on stage, e.g. amp or connecting leads breakdowns. Fortunately, I’m “happy” most of the time!

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Matt Condon

Cousins & Willoughby ‘The Bridge’ will be released on Friday 28th November 2025 on digipak CD and digital via Witchwood Records, distributed by RSK Entertainment. 

Pre-order the album here: https://burningshed.com/cousins-and-willoughby_the-bridge_cd