HATS OFF

The sleeve notes on this release warn against calling this a compilation album. This is a typical Roy Harper stance because in essence that is exactly what this album is. Putting that trivia aside this is nevertheless one of the finest compilation albums I have come across within the progressive genres. Nearly all of the songs on Hats Off are in collaboration with such a wealth of high calibre artists that there is little wonder he is so highly revered by his peers. Tony Levin ( Peter Gabriel), Alan Parsons, Ian Anderson, Kate Bush, Jimmy Page, Bill Bruford, Haydn Bendall ( Camel -Engineer/production fame), Alvin Lee (10 Years After), Paul and Linda McCartney and the list goes on! 'The Same Old Rock' from the Stormcock release is still the highlight on this album, mesmerizing interplay between Page and Harper on guitars, but there is plenty of other great songs, ' These Fifty Years' with Ian Anderson, the lashing lyrics of ' Death or Glory', ' Me and My Woman'. If you want to start with Roy Harper then get this album, it is sure to hook a listener in but also will entice more investments in studio releases from this fine musician. A Highly recommended four stars.