Stand Up And Be Counted (Expanded Edition)

By the time of the sixth album by London rockers Stray had parted with vocalist Steve Gadd,Del Bromham took over lead vocals Pete Dyer joined the band playing second guitar and sometimes vocals.The band were short of material and most of the songs were written for a Bromham solo record but ended up being recorded for this album.The hard rocking band of old had gone and the resulting album was indifferent but still had some fine songs.The title track found the band backed by the London symphony orchestra it works though as it is a good song.Other highlights were Waiting for the big break a fine song with a great lyric about the up's and downs of a working band played in a country rock vein reminding this listener of The Strawbs.Another great moment is Everyday of my life which boasts some fantastic bass playing by Gary Giles it really makes you want to dance around your living room however on the whole you wanted the band to rock more than they do this time round which they do on there next record Houdini watch out for my review of that.