This was Barclay James Harvest's first live album, recorded in June
1974. And with the Moody Blues era folksy / proggy / mid-tempo soft
progressive rock they played in the early to mid 1970s, the band was
arguably at the pinnacle of its musical career. I saw them live in 1972
and heard the premier of at least two of the songs on this compilation, and what
an awesome show it was.
Some of the music from that era has lasted well - while some - including
about half of the songs on this record - sound frankly dated. So you have
to go into this CD understanding that it's old music, and that it was
played live. You won't find the perfection of their studio albums, but you
will find a wonderful remastering job, excellent CD inserts, and a nostalgic
trip back to the cradle of prog as we know it today. And you have to keep
reminding yourself that it's a live record because there isn't much audience
interaction. Some of the tracks stray somewhat from their studio cousins,
although the songwriting itself and the musicianship remain solid.
"Medicine Man" is a simple song that evolves into a mostly instrumental,
jazzy, jamrock piece. Maybe one of the best on the CD if only because it's so
different from the rest. There's a Bee Gees cover, slightly modified, "The
Great 1974 Mining Disaster", and one of the all-time best Barclay James Harvest
songs "Mockingbird" is an essential inclusion - albeit without the full
orchestra that featured in some of their live shows and on the LP. "After The
Day" is another perennial in the band's live and best-of compilations. If
you know the original piece, you'll find the delivery here - with guitar lines
reproduced faithfully and Mellotron replacing the orchestra - is one of the most
impressive on the record.
With the classic 1974 Lineup of John Lees, Les Holroyd, Wooly Wolstenholme
and Mel Pritchard, Barclay James Harvest was a band that could do no
wrong. This live compilation will explain the rave reviews we've all heard about
that era. Recommended for BJH fans and completists.
Track Listing:
- Summer Soldier
- Medicine Man
- Crazy City
- After The Day
- The Great 1974 Mining Disaster
- Galadriel
- Negative Earth
- She Said
- Paper Wings
- For No One
- Mockingbird
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