Barclay James Harvest Albums
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=125106
Printed Date: November 30 2024 at 20:19
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Topic: Barclay James Harvest Albums
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Barclay James Harvest Albums
Date Posted: January 10 2021 at 13:15
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BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST are the featured artist this time around, as we ONCE AGAIN delve into the history of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST & OTHER SHORT STORIES. Who can forget the cute picture of BABY JAMES HARVEST poking his head out of a plant pot on their fourth album cover. Here at ProgArchives, EVERYONE IS EVERYBODY ELSE in the progosphere, where the classic albums of BJH appear like TIME HONOURED GHOSTS from time to time. The eighth month of the year was OCTOBER ON the ancient Roman calendar, making it the perfect name for the eighth Barclay James Harvest album. The band took a short break, but weren't GONE TO EARTH for long though before returning with their best-selling album of all time in 1977. In the XII Kingdoms of Prog, Barclay James Harvest reigned supreme and the EYES OF THE UNIVERSE were upon them in 1982 for their CONCERT FOR THE PEOPLE IN BERLIN. This landmark gig for BJH preceded a TURN OF THE TIDE in the Cold War when a RING OF CHANGES were on the way and the old Soviet leaders became VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The world became a safer place with no more FACE TO FACE Cold War confrontations between East and West with the ever-present threat of nuclear armageddon hanging over the world. History didn't end in 1991 though, and in the prophetic words of Messrs Emerson, Lake & Palmer, WELCOME TO THE SHOW that never ends, because there were new threats on the way in a new century. CAUGHT IN THE LIGHT of a beautifully clear morning on 11th September 2001, an airliner flew low over New York City..... The RIVER OF DREAMS would soon be shattered forever! Barclay James Harvest Albums  1970: Their First Album - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCZ-MixysH_x1i87U5EA4f0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCZ-MixysH_x1i87U5EA4f0  1971: Once Again - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDyiy-W-2hR2COlD0Sp-gYe" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDyiy-W-2hR2COlD0Sp-gYe 1971: Barclay James Harvest & Other Short Stories - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCK3-MJ4r9HC8GWo8kVDBrs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCK3-MJ4r9HC8GWo8kVDBrs 1972: Baby James Harvest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzA-dx-mwxf69Zr7jyg4is_2" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzA-dx-mwxf69Zr7jyg4is_2 1974: Everyone is Everybody Else - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzD17rAhN6lutmnpEQJ1AoJt" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzD17rAhN6lutmnpEQJ1AoJt 1974: Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBWXIEJhrQE1MlqmohlYue6" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBWXIEJhrQE1MlqmohlYue6 1975: Time Honoured Ghosts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCqYQdtqs5SHUPjHz9r-38C" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCqYQdtqs5SHUPjHz9r-38C 1976: Octoberon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzACH0yFtfvny6UiAn0NUwSs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzACH0yFtfvny6UiAn0NUwSs 1977: Gone to Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBjfon-Z4m594ZejewSqkLL" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBjfon-Z4m594ZejewSqkLL 1978: XII - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAkOzEFcxPo8tby3ySqz6u8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAkOzEFcxPo8tby3ySqz6u8 1978: Live Tapes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB1dmIIoqKJ0D1owgXbPBwp" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB1dmIIoqKJ0D1owgXbPBwp 1979: Eyes of the Universe - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBg4WI9Yz0ZNfTxp-dO_c2A" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBg4WI9Yz0ZNfTxp-dO_c2A 1981: Turn of the Tide - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBnu9VBEfYQyBN0nVVIWot" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBnu9VBEfYQyBN0nVVIWot _ 1982: Berlin: A Concert for the People - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAvWzfb0LgTI_wl3HgSyTcY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAvWzfb0LgTI_wl3HgSyTcY  1983: Ring of Changes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBGAAvuAOxUYA7JEhFIoFpZ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBGAAvuAOxUYA7JEhFIoFpZ 1984: Victims of Circumstance - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZZQTGdKO2HNBHXGgudHOL" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZZQTGdKO2HNBHXGgudHOL 1987: Face to Face - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDLV6Ips2EeJAVmNX-SEPDk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDLV6Ips2EeJAVmNX-SEPDk 1988: Glasnost - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBtadlK2Ocy-QlW2wqnGctY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBtadlK2Ocy-QlW2wqnGctY 1990: Welcome to the Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCH7kV-HqID5jl-K0BkBkpA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCH7kV-HqID5jl-K0BkBkpA 1993: Caught in the Light - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDejUnRIvEUzTxbtg3ii6Rs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDejUnRIvEUzTxbtg3ii6Rs 1997: River of Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDm0yUV-bSi5G4ilOhv6dNv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDm0yUV-bSi5G4ilOhv6dNv 1999: Barclay James Harvest Through the Eyes of John Lees - Nexus - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAnJf4fy-UyTbP_6H-SPmTv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAnJf4fy-UyTbP_6H-SPmTv 2002: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Revolution Days - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB8pDRTcu_yxHf3nVYEjWt4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB8pDRTcu_yxHf3nVYEjWt4 2004: Live - The Ultimate Anthology - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBzFrlfA-AmGExW7pw3xMHk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBzFrlfA-AmGExW7pw3xMHk 2006: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Classic Meets Rock - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBSpBYZ-4HvvbvdRjuK5d3m" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBSpBYZ-4HvvbvdRjuK5d3m 2013: John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - North - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCUAJuwo1TASoaHUd5OKUpg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCUAJuwo1TASoaHUd5OKUpg |
Replies:
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 02:11
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As I've said many times here, BJH are a bit of a puzzle for me. I'd rate "Once Again" in my top 10 prog albums (probably even top 10 albums) but of the rest of their albums I've listened to, none have really grabbed me at all. I try again from time to time but they don't do anything for me, that's not too say they're bad. I will keep trying.
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Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 03:34
| Love BJH. Seen them many times over the years and they've always been brilliant. I would describe their music as being very 'English' and their musicianship is un-showy, but fits the material to a T. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:27
| My only real puzzle is how you rated "North" only 3 stars, since 3 stars seems to be the lowest you give out, and it's much better than any of their post XII studio albums, except possibly "Ring of Changes" |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:33
It could be because I've only heard two songs from the North album, as that's all there is available on YouTube at the moment.
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kenethlevine wrote:Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:35
I like BJH's Live albums best of all, as you can probably tell from my ratings, where I've given every Live album a full 5-star rating.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:35
so you rated based on 2 songs? What if the rest of them suck?
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:38
Even their name sounds very English. I read somewhere that when the band were trying to come up with a name, they just mixed three random words together, and they liked the sound of Barclay James Harvest best of all.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:40
Well, from what Keneth Levine says, I doubt if the remaining unheard songs on the album do "suck".
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:41
yeah, but it's his opinion the album is good, not yours. I think you are disagreeing for the sake of it.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 07:49
I shall check out the live albums then.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 08:00
I should start with the first one: Live (1974), then if you like that album, there's a good chance you'll enjoy all of BJH's other Live albums too.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 08:02
How can I disagree? I can't have an opinion on songs I've never even heard.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 08:07
you shouldn't rate albums you've heard two songs from
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 08:21
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^ Maybe I'll upgrade it to a 4-star rating when I've heard the remaining songs on the North album.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 08:22
yeah, you'll give it 6 stars.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 09:04
What I heard was that the Barclay was for the bank because they wanted to make money, the Harvest was for the label (though some stories refute this, but they were after all the first band on the label), and the James was just to have a name to say how English they were
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 09:10
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^ I can just picture Barclay James Harvest being a trusted bank manager who works in The City and wears a bowler hat and dark pin-striped suit to work.
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 09:12
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It's certainly a name that fits their music. Take that as you will. ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 09:49
Listening to the studio stuff I was dubious about BJH, and then I listened to the 1974 live album: that band and that sound stayed with me for good. 
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 10:06
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^ I bought most of BJH's classic studio albums before I'd even heard them play Live, and they've always meant much more to me than a Poor Man's Moody Blues.
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Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 14:56
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^ Poor nickname for a great band...
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 11 2021 at 15:45
It was probably some jaded music journalist who gave them that derogatory nickname, but at least it inspired Barclay James Harvest to write a great song.
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Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 06:41
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Once again is just sublime. Would be in my top 20 albums. On many of their albums there are songs I like, just not whole albums. ------------- "I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 07:35
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1970: Their First Album - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCZ-MixysH_x1i87U5EA4f0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCZ-MixysH_x1i87U5EA4f0 |
Posted By: Ruby900
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 08:06
Oh yes - great song. My second favourite album would be their debut. Some lovely stuff on there. ------------- "I always say that it’s about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place". Rick Wakeman |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 08:09
| "Early Morning" is wonderful, mellotron heaven |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 08:29
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 11:45
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1971: Once Again - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDyiy-W-2hR2COlD0Sp-gYe" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDyiy-W-2hR2COlD0Sp-gYe Mockingbird - filmed at the Town & Country Club in 1992. |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 12:40
An absolute classic song. ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 12:40
Love this song ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 13:33
Its a great song.. but was recorded 2 years before the BJH first lp was recorded (as their first single, on the Parlephone label, backed with 'Mr Sunshine'- another great early song). 'Brother Thrush' B/W 'Poor wages' was their 2nd single (and first on Harvest). The BJH debut lp was recorded some 6-8 months later and released very early 1970. No doubt those early singles have been added to the various CD re-issues (which is understandable in terms of chronology) and i'm sure some of the early 'session' tracks were included too like 'Pools of Blue' and 'Eden unobtainable' which really deserved to have a proper release. Ive said in threads before what an unashamed BJH afficinado i am (well, the classic line up anyway) and a big Woolly Wolstenholme fan.. RIP Woolly (and Mel!) i still miss Woolly's music, humour and eccentric character  ------------- |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 20 2021 at 14:11
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^ The original 1970 album was simply called Barclay James Harvest, but the name was changed to "Their First Album" for the CD reissue in 2002, which included 13 rare bonus tracks.
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Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: January 29 2021 at 13:46
A very underrated band imho‼️ ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: POTA
Date Posted: January 30 2021 at 15:59
| It's usually at the bottom of most people's list of BJH albums, but oddly enough Caught in the Light is simply one of my all time favorite records period. Can't explain it, but it just is. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: January 30 2021 at 16:12
It's not always easy to explain why an album is a particular favourite, in just the same way as I can't explain why Suicide is my favourite BJH song, despite the depressing lyrics.....  I stepped out on the guard rail, saw the crowds slowly part
Heard a voice shouting "Don't jump, please for God's sake let me move my car!" Felt a hand on my shoulder, heard a voice cry "Just in time!" Felt the quick push, felt the air rush Felt the sidewalk, fell in line. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 05:10
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I know very little about this band. I heard Mockingbird many years ago, as a teen, and gave up immediately, I'm sorry to say. Too gentle and twee. Listening to Early Morning, I can hear where the Moody Blues comparison comes from. Sounds nice enough. I'll read some reviews on here, and check out an album. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 09:08
I guess twee is a description I can't argue with even as it doesn't bother me that they are, but maybe listen to "Live" from 1974 which is anything but twee
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 09:24
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For anyone who's still unsure about Barclay James Harvest, and needs positive proof that they're much more than just a Poor Man's Moody Blues, you could watch them Play to the World in "The Ultimate Anthology", recorded at the London Town & Country Club in 1992. Don't forget to Stand Up and shout for the Hymn at the end of the concert. After all, Life is for Living. |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: February 01 2021 at 09:53
Hi, The original is just as good, if not better ... on the 2nd album I think, although there was a collection of songs that also had it. Wonderful band and one of the great joys in my collection! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: March 04 2021 at 10:20
Absolutely the original version is better. Also it’s a awesome joyousness in my collection too! ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Artik
Date Posted: March 04 2021 at 12:05
| Hmm it's a bit strange relation between me and this band :) I've bought by pure accident one of their albums, not knowing it beforehand (it was cheap, I knew it should by somewhat proggy, so I took the risk). It was 'Gone to earth' and I quite like most of it. Nothing spectacular, but ok. I've tried many times to find something for me from their other albums (studio and live) but failed for some reason. I guess I'll try again one day. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 04 2021 at 19:52
Gone to Earth is fine but I think "Once Again", "Everyone is Everybody Else", "Octoberon", and "XII" are all better, and "Time Honoured Ghosts" is just about as good
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: March 05 2021 at 13:54
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Time honoured ghosts rarely seems to get much of a mention but its one of my favourites of the 'Polydor' years.. Its certainly got some flaws (Titles, Sweet Jesus..) but seen in context, its a vibrant lp of primarly English music put through the San Francisco filter of Elliot Mazer of Neil Young fame.. The equal amounts of fascination and horror that affected the band members (2 loved it, 2 were repulsed by it) experienced from the 'west coast' mid 70's experience combined with the fact that the producer and his engineers just didnt 'get' the band (their accents, attitudes to work or composition) and just feeling 'a long way from home' feeds into the feel of the album. When they got back to the UK, Woolly disappeared (actually he probably just hid out at his local pub on Saddleworth) and luckily the intended second album under Mazers direction never happened and Octoberon became BJH's first self-produced (with help from David Rohl) lp and perhaps their most quintessential lp of that Era..
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Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: March 10 2021 at 17:27
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Their 7 best albums: 1) Turn of the Tide 2) Caught in the Light 3) Ring of Changes 4) Eyes of the Universe 5) Welcome to the Show 6) Gone to Earth 7) Everyone is Everybody Else To long-time fans I must apologize: I find their early stuff quite dull. Also, Caught in the Light would have been a perfect album to close the book on the band. Everything after that album is irrelevant.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: March 10 2021 at 21:24
| wow that's different...I fine the post 1980 albums dull. I wonder, did you hear the later stuff first? |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: March 11 2021 at 09:46
My first BJH album was Ring of Changes. I quickly began listening to the earlier material, but none of it really captured my interest until 1974's Everyone is Everybody Else album. That album laid the groundwork for everything to follow. Some of their first few albums I would even describe as somewhat bizarre, but that's just me. I'll always be amazed that a record company saw some potential in this band. None of their albums is perfect, least of all the 1980s albums. I really, really don't like Victims of Circumstance or Face to Face.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 10:58
That looks more like one of my Top 7 lists, with more recent albums rated higher than the older classic albums.  1971: Barclay James Harvest & Other Short Stories - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCK3-MJ4r9HC8GWo8kVDBrs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCK3-MJ4r9HC8GWo8kVDBrs My favourite BJH album, featuring the classic Medicine Man, performed here at the Town & Country Club, London in 1992.  |
Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 12:42
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I'm quite fond of Time Honoured Ghosts. ------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 12:56
Me too. That's one of six classic BJH albums I have on CD.
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Posted By: irrelevant
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 13:06
Nice. Just two for me currently. That one and Octoberon. Wouldn't mind grabbing a few others for the right price I suppose. I remember someone on RYM saying BJH were like a cross between Pink Floyd and Bread. And you know what? That's actually not far off.
------------- https://gabebuller.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - New album! http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7385 |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 13:35
 This is as good a book on everything BJH as you could hope to find written by Keith & Monika Domone who have run the fan club for years and years. Sadly, its currently out of print... ------------- |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 13:38
  Early Photos from around 1969 when living at Preston House, Lancashire
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 14:40
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I have the first 8....half on old vinyl and half on cd....the live one from 1974, BJH Live, is the one to really have imo...the others are all good but that live one has a nice track listing well done . 'Other Short Stories' from 71 is not rated that high on PA....only 'Baby James' after it is lower. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 14:56
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^ Barclay James Harvest 'Live' from 1974 really is the mutt's nuts.. Anyone who calls them Barclay James harmless plainly hasnt heard that lp.. theres as much fire-power, passion and good old mellotron growl as you'll hear in King Crimson.. Rodger Bain's (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest) production helps... ------------- |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: March 29 2021 at 14:59
Yes, this is absolutely spot on. One hell of an album, and appreciated by many of their fellow artists, from folk to hard rock, as an exemplar of a live recording. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: March 30 2021 at 13:46
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Their playing on this set is remarkably tight.. None of the band have ever really got the dues that they should for their ability.. John Lees is a remarkable guitarist with a tone thats completely unmistakeable, Les Holroyd is a top bassist who just, along with Mel Pritchard on drums, never really gets to shine on material after this period and they are/were, i think, naturally understated players (though this set proves they could really kick off when needed). And Woolly.. well, he was always a player of textures and nuances, not flashy solos.. some of the 'walls' of Mellotron sounds he delivered were just spine tingling.. and he was a mighty fine pianist too. I'm sure i heard somewhere that some of the Liverpool stadium gig was filmed.. though i'm not sure.. i think there might be a bit of grainy film somewhere on youtube.. ------------- |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 02 2021 at 02:38
Totally agree! I'd rather watch Barclay James Harvest Play to the World Live every time in preference to any modern day Neo Prog band. 1972: Baby James Harvest - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzA-dx-mwxf69Zr7jyg4is_2" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzA-dx-mwxf69Zr7jyg4is_2 Summer Soldier |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 05 2021 at 11:11
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1974: Everyone is Everybody Else - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzD17rAhN6lutmnpEQJ1AoJt" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzD17rAhN6lutmnpEQJ1AoJt Child of the Universe For No One |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: April 05 2021 at 11:58
| Child of the Universe got a ton of FM airplay in Montreal. It always struck me as a more emotional, authentic, intelligent and enjoyable take on what Supertramp was trying to do at the time, though I think that is being charitable to Supertramp. Its success must have surprised the group who didn't even include it on "Live". Might also be because it clearly has 2 keyboards going at once in a few places (piano and synth). They rectified this on "Live Tapes" with a stunning version to open the album. Its outro is beautiful |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 05 2021 at 12:35
Child of the Universe has always been one of my favourite BJH anthems and it sounds even better performed live.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 07 2021 at 06:20
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1974: Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBWXIEJhrQE1MlqmohlYue6" rel="nofollow - |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 08 2021 at 06:52
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1975: Time Honoured Ghosts - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCqYQdtqs5SHUPjHz9r-38C" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCqYQdtqs5SHUPjHz9r-38C Titles (a unique song with the lyrics consisting almost entirely of Beatles' song titles)  |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 09 2021 at 01:51
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1976: Octoberon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzACH0yFtfvny6UiAn0NUwSs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzACH0yFtfvny6UiAn0NUwSs Rock 'n' Roll Star |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 11 2021 at 10:22
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1977: Gone to Earth - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBjfon-Z4m594ZejewSqkLL" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBjfon-Z4m594ZejewSqkLL Hymn (Live version) |
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 03:56
Just love the way this track builds and builds.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 04:11
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^ Me too. I'd be a regular churchgoer if they played rousing Hymns like that in church.
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Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 04:15
| It raises an interesting thought. I wonder how many people turn away from such music because it's 'religious' and they're not, rather than accepting the subject of the song as just another story. They're undoubtedly OK listening to songs about Lord of the Rings (see Led Zeppelin). Mike Oldfield's Earth Moving is a great example of a good pop album based around Christianity. Personally, I think it's all tosh made up by humans to explain their existence, but it doesn't affect my enjoyment. A good song is a good song whatever the subject! |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 04:37
Music with a religious theme has always held a strange attraction for me, even though I'm a lifelong atheist, and if anything is going to convert me to Christianity, then it's the power of love and music and not some bible-thumping preacher. Hallelujah to Rick Wakeman for his heavenly "Prayers" album, which is currently my all-time favourite religious album, ever since hearing it for the first time in January this year. 1993: Prayers - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuKDc4fZAh4zRqMbmt_Ywmn" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoIDt_C5y1LuKDc4fZAh4zRqMbmt_Ywmn |
Posted By: Ronstein
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 04:45
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I'll check it out
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 07:13
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At the beginning of the 1980s I met a guy who loved punk and new wave and wasn't really a prog fan or religious, but when I mentioned BJH he lit up and gushed about "Hymn" |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 08:04
You don't have to be religious to like "Hymn", but it helps. I have a close friend across the Atlantic who's very religious, so I'll play the song for her tonight.
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 11:17
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The roots of the song 'Hymn' go back a bit of a way with John Lees recording a 'proto' solo version possibly as early as 1972 (? it might be 74, cant remember..) but it came together after the bands experiences in San Francisco when recording Time Honoured Ghosts and is actually a song about the perils of drug addiction.. i Think he was trying to say that using drugs to 'see God' or 'get to the other side' was a very dangerous thing and 'you might not come down'. He used references to his own faith and the template of a 'Hymn' to say theres another way, but not in a preachy way. I bought the single around the time it came out (in a 10p bargin bin!) and i loved it (and felt the power of it live when i saw them in 79) but now i dont count it as one of my BJH favourites.. Another bit of trivia.. when played live, the band have always had a backing track of a number of guitars overdubbed to give it its power- the band were a little shame faced about it as they'd always prided themselves on not using backing tracks live (except, perhaps, on Suicide) but one night the backing track failed to play and the crowd got to hear how thin it sounds on just one guitar! ------------- |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 12:12
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^ I think Hymn sounds much better if I don't associate it with drugs, in just the same way as Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Eight Miles High and Puff the Magic Dragon all sound perfectly innocent to me.
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Posted By: Cosmiclawnmower
Date Posted: April 12 2021 at 13:19
Fair enough so.. Hang on a minute.. whaddya mean Puff the magic dragon is about drugs???  thats my innocent childhood idyll shattered------------- |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 13 2021 at 07:26
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^ Puff the Magic Dragon was once banned in Singapore and Hong Kong because authorities there thought the song contained drug references, but the writer of the song, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) has repeatedly rejected this interpretation and has strongly and consistently denied that they intended any references to drugs, so there you go. All is well with the world again and our innocent childhood idyll remains intact.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 25 2021 at 05:42
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1978: XII - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAkOzEFcxPo8tby3ySqz6u8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAkOzEFcxPo8tby3ySqz6u8 Loving is Easy |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 27 2021 at 11:54
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1978: Live Tapes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB1dmIIoqKJ0D1owgXbPBwp" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB1dmIIoqKJ0D1owgXbPBwp Child of the Universe |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 28 2021 at 11:24
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1979: Eyes of the Universe - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBg4WI9Yz0ZNfTxp-dO_c2A" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBg4WI9Yz0ZNfTxp-dO_c2A Love on the Line |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 28 2021 at 12:12
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1981: Turn of the Tide - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBnu9VBEfYQyBN0nVVIWot" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBnu9VBEfYQyBN0nVVIWot _ In Memory of the Martyrs |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: April 30 2021 at 07:48
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1982: Berlin: A Concert for the People - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAvWzfb0LgTI_wl3HgSyTcY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAvWzfb0LgTI_wl3HgSyTcY Life is for Living |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 01 2021 at 02:53
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1983: Ring of Changes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBGAAvuAOxUYA7JEhFIoFpZ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBGAAvuAOxUYA7JEhFIoFpZ Just a Day Away |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 01 2021 at 11:26
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1984: Victims of Circumstance - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZZQTGdKO2HNBHXGgudHOL" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBZZQTGdKO2HNBHXGgudHOL Victims of Circumstance |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 01 2021 at 12:18
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1987: Face to Face - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDLV6Ips2EeJAVmNX-SEPDk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDLV6Ips2EeJAVmNX-SEPDk Following Me |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 03 2021 at 01:00
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1988: Glasnost - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBtadlK2Ocy-QlW2wqnGctY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBtadlK2Ocy-QlW2wqnGctY Berlin |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 06 2021 at 10:24
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1990: Welcome to the Show - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCH7kV-HqID5jl-K0BkBkpA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCH7kV-HqID5jl-K0BkBkpA Psychedelic Child |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 06 2021 at 13:14
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1993: Caught in the Light - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDejUnRIvEUzTxbtg3ii6Rs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDejUnRIvEUzTxbtg3ii6Rs Once More |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: May 06 2021 at 18:14
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I'm sorry, never liked Barclay James Harvest. Vapid and weak. They make the Moody Blues seem like bullies. They took Barclay James' lunch money. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 07 2021 at 04:32
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1997: River of Dreams - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDm0yUV-bSi5G4ilOhv6dNv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzDm0yUV-bSi5G4ilOhv6dNv So Long
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 22 2021 at 08:33
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1999: Barclay James Harvest Through the Eyes of John Lees - Nexus - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAnJf4fy-UyTbP_6H-SPmTv" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzAnJf4fy-UyTbP_6H-SPmTv The Iron Maiden - no relation to Bruce Dickinson |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 09:06
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2002: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Revolution Days - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB8pDRTcu_yxHf3nVYEjWt4" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzB8pDRTcu_yxHf3nVYEjWt4 Missing You |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 11:49
IMHO, this is the best song the band has ever done!
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 11:58
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^ I totally agree! I used to think the rather morbid "Suicide" is the best song Barclay James Harvest ever did, but now I prefer "In Memory of the Martyrs" for its message of love. Life is like a tall ship Drifting gently from the shore Time is like a fair wind With a lifetime to explore. The beauty that surrounds you Was meant to be adored The problems that surround you Were meant to be ignored We are love We are We are love. Funnily enough, I used to think "In Memory of the Martyrs" was all about those who died trying to cross the Berlin Wall, until I read the lyrics.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 13:06
| Weird how a band like BJH can play in front of over 100,000 people in Germany but be lucky to play in front of 100 people in the US. I would imagine in the UK they would play in front of maybe 1000. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: May 25 2021 at 13:41
BJH probably halved their audience when they split up into two separate bands.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 03 2021 at 08:59
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2004: Live - The Ultimate Anthology - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBzFrlfA-AmGExW7pw3xMHk" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBzFrlfA-AmGExW7pw3xMHk Mocking Bird |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 04 2021 at 09:24
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2006: Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd - Classic Meets Rock - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBSpBYZ-4HvvbvdRjuK5d3m" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzBSpBYZ-4HvvbvdRjuK5d3m The Song (They Love to Sing)
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: June 05 2021 at 10:42
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2013: John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - North - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCUAJuwo1TASoaHUd5OKUpg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLikNHjJ_cxzCUAJuwo1TASoaHUd5OKUpg North |