Barclay James Harvest...

Great to know that there are some serious BJH fans here.  No-one I know (other than my sister, who once worked in a record store in the 1970s) has even heard of this band!  So, most of the time, I feel like a crusader, trying to enlighten the music masses around me.  Luckily, I have already made a convert or two.

Recently, I just finished my collection of "The Woolly Era" CD's, along with "Eyes Of The Universe" just for good measure.  Eventually, I'll venture into the 80s and 90s, but unfortunately these titles are much harder to come by.

For anyone who hasn't done so already, I highly recommend purchasing "The Barclay James Harvest Story".  It's currently available on their official website.  Written by website guardians Keith and Monika Damone, this is the definitive story of the band so far.  Loaded with facts, photos and interesting anecdotes, this is an exceptionally well written and compiled biography of a fascinating band.  I still use it all the time as my reference manual when trying to date certain albums and singles.

One of the most gripping elements of "The Woolly Era" of the band is the dynamic of having three strong writers in the group.  To brutally simplify the issue:  Woolly was the master of the grandiose and symphonic epic.  His material is probably considered to be the most "progressive" arrangement-wise.  In fact, quite often it was his contributions to certain albums that were left off the original releases, deemed just too out of place by the producers.   Luckily, these have been restored to the remastered re-releases.  "Moonwater" and "Maestoso (A Hymn In The Roof Of The World" are classic examples of this.

Lees was the master of the protest song, as well as the experimental "cut-and-paste" lyrical approach within certain themes.  "Titles", of course, is probably the most obvious example.  But, "Nova Lepidoptera" is also good. 

Holroyd's strong suit was as the writer of their most straightahead rock/pop gems.  "Rock And Roll Star" is one of my favourite BJH tracks of all time.  Although, my guiltiest pleasure would have to be his "Giving It Up" from "XII".  This track is difficult to distinguish at times from Exile's classic 70s pop love standard, "Kiss You All Over".  I still find myself listening to this one  repeatedly.

Instrumentally, all of the members of this band are outstanding.  Not as overly apparent as vituosos as their more progressive contemporaries, their skill is remarkable.  Don't be fooled.  Mel Pritchard's drumming rivals Bill Bruford's on a number of occasions.  Holroyd's bass playing, especially on the live albums, is as progressive as you can get at times.  Lees' guitar playing is always tasteful.  His solos add the most melodic components to the songs much of the time.  Finally, Woolly's keyboards are always right where they need to be.  And, vocally, all three singers are excellent.  Their frequent three-part harmony arrangements are one of the true trademarks of BJH!

To witness the magic of this band in a powerful way, I recommend tracking down a copy of their rarified "Caught Live" DVD.  This was how I first "discovered" BJH.  Watching Woolly sing "Mockinbird" was all it took.  I've been postively hooked ever since!

Personally I'd have said the John Lees/Woolly Wolstenholme version of BJH is the one that fits my personal (and I'd suspect, most people that are fans on the board) taste. I think they are working on a new album- that would be great, as 'Nexus' had its moments but I think the reworkings let the album down as the songs like 'Sitting On A Shelf', 'The Devils That I Keep', 'Brave New World' and 'Festival!' were amongst the best and progressive sounding the band had managed in years, whilst the reworked old songs smacked of desparation.

Get "Gone to Earth"

I suppose they won't come in Italy...

rupert wrote: I'm very excited about John & Woolly coming back again... are you, too ? What songs would you want them to play ? I think their 2001-setlist for the UK ( see www.bjharvest.co.uk ) was close to perfection... but I'd like to hear "Float", too, perhaps - if it works- "The Streets of San Fransisco" and, as Woolly did, "The Poet/After the Day" !

I guess there'll be a fair amount of new stuff to debut. Hopefully.

I hope the tour works out. They are scheduled to play in my home city (Norwich) but I admit to being a bit apprehensive because the last time BJH played here (in 92) with John, Les & Mel it was a VERY depressing sight. Few people turned up and not surprisingly the band were unmotivated.  Let's hope this time it will be full. I sure would like to see Woolly again. It is brilliant to see him performing again after all these years, and producing some excellent stuff - FIDDLING MEANLY is a terrific live album.

Andrea Cortese wrote: The EMI's remasters are excellent, apart only the covers awfully marginalized. BTW, in the inner booklet you'll find the original front and back covers.   My introduction to the BJH's discography was Baby James Harvest.

   Why do record companies insist on doing this? Time and again, they re-issue albums with the covers changed in some way. Those BJH ones are horrible.

New remastered albums scheduled on the end of october:

Edited by Andrea Cortese - September 05 2006 at 08:18

Bonus track have still to be confirmed by Eclectic Records.

I just bought BJH Greatest Hits  - thanks to this forum - to get an idea what they are all about.  Not much prog in this collection, but certainly very nice harmonies.  Sort of Crosby, Stills & Nash meet Sargent Pepper`s-age-ballads.  Very tastefull.

Andrea Cortese wrote: New remastered albums scheduled on the end of october: this one in particular should be of special interest for prog listeners as it features the last live contribution of Wooly Wolstenholme and his mellotron. It also contains interesting bonus live material. Ok, Live Tapes (1978) is not at the same standard of BJH Live (1974) but it's well worth of attention.   LIVE TAPES (remastered) (Double LP originally released June 1978, Eclectic remastered 2CD due out late October 2006) Disc One: Child Of The Universe Rock ‘N’ Roll Star Poor Man’s Moody Blues Mockingbird Hard Hearted Woman One Night The World Goes On **Bonus track** Medicine Man **Previously unreleased bonus track** Disc Two: Taking Me Higher Suicide? Crazy City Polk Street Rag Hymn For The Children **Previously unreleased bonus track** Jonathan For No One Hymn

I think the band have tarnished their already dwindled reputation due to this silliness with 2 versions of BJH, plus the fact their albums are mainly re-recordings now. Happily, John Lees issued a statement saying his creative juices are flowing again so hopefully we'll get a good album. I felt 'Nexus' would have been a much better effort if it had all been new songs, not re-recordings. I enjoyed the new songs on that a lot.