OCTOBERON

British band Barclay James Harvest (BJH) delivered its seventh studio album, "Octoberon," on October 1, 1976. Initially, the plan was to record the album in San Francisco, following the success of its predecessor, "Time Honoured Ghost," under the guidance of top producer Elliot Mazer (known for his work with Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, and others). However, due to Mazer's unavailability, the band returned home and recorded the album during the summer of 1976 at The Strawberry Recording Studios, self-producing it.

When the album hit the shelves, it became evident that the warm Western sound perfectly complemented the melancholic music. "Octoberon" marked a return to the original symphonic sound by incorporating strings and choir into various tracks. Let your imagination speak, and envision the Shakespearean 'angel' on the cover nodding approvingly.

The album features seven tracks, ranging from nice to outstanding in quality. It starts strong, albeit unusually, with a ballad, The World Goes On. This Les Holroyd composition has all the elements to captivate the listener, with tingling acoustic guitar, enchanting vocals from Holroyd, depth provided by string arrangements, and a sparkling closing guitar solo.

The second track, May Day, stands out for its excellent organ playing and a brilliant shift in atmosphere when the choir takes over. The complex vocal arrangement intertwines various traditionals, with male and female voices daringly harmonizing?a stroke of genius.

The album maintains a perfect flow with Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme's composition, Ra, dedicated to the Egyptian sun god. Wolstenholme excels as both a composer and keyboardist, delivering orchestral sounds and smooth synthesizer tones building up to a hectic finale, concluding Side A.

The next four tracks attempt to appeal to a broader audience. Rock'N'Roll Star features somewhat funky guitar work, reminiscent of a One Of These Nights-style guitar lick. The band's credibility allows them to brush this off with a smile. Polk Street Rag is a catchy number with John Lees' signature guitar focus and a fuller band sound. Believe In Me is a somewhat dreamy song with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young-like harmonies, contributing to the album's dreamlike character.

The closing track, Suiside? is the climax of "Octoberon." Musically rich with beautiful melodies, precise harmonies, and masterful solos, it tells a captivating story of someone contemplating suicide by jumping off a building. The lyrics take a mysterious twist towards the end, leaving the listener wondering if the man might have been pushed. In the final minutes, the events replay in a radio drama style, concluding with the fall of the man.

"Octoberon" is a pivotal album in Barclay James Harvest's career, holding onto their traditional values while looking towards the future. For the author, it served as an introduction to the band, and I have remained a fan ever since.

Orginally posted on www.progenrock.com