As a record made in 2004, by a 17 year old (Connor Kirby-Long), on a small electronica label, this record wasn't destined to be high profile.
I can't recall how I got to hear it, or hear about it, but I do think it's it's one worthy of some attention. If we're talking lazy descriptions, it probably lies somewhere between the hazy digital ambience of Fennesz and the shoegaze of later period My Bloody Valentine. There's also a touch of New Order in tracks like "A Little Secret", if they'd been on Warp records. This is really good record for mixing up the bleak and mournful electronica with warm intimate elements.
With hindsight, in the light of what's referred to by some as the Chillwave / Glo-Fi scene (Washed Out, Twin Shadow, CFCF etc..), this record seems to be a bit of a precursor. And a great thing for people like me who really like electronica, but also like guitars and songs but mistrust contrived fusions.
There's a lot to be said for an artist sticking to their guns. In theory recognition will eventually arrive, hopefully before you shuffle off to the big aftershow, but this doesn't always happen, unfortunately.
In the case of Roy Harper, it's great to see him now namechecked by various alternative folk types, most young enough to be his grandkids. He has, however, spent his whole career on the fringes. Or at least that's how it seems viewed with hindsight. An artist that not many people really know, but who is loved by those "in the know". An archetypal cult?
Nothing is ever written about Roy that doesn't mention those who he's performed with over the years; Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush etc. And it's a shame that his recognition relies on his proximity to greatness than recognition of his actual greatness. Does the fact that both John Peel & his sidekick John Walters both wanted his "When an old Cricketer leaves the crease" played at their funerals not tell you something?!
But here we are. November 2011. On the 5th I went to Roys 70th birthday show at Royal Festival Hall in London. Any vague thoughts about a swansong disappear once Roy starts singing, the years do fall away. This show has been reviewed better than I will, so I won't attemp that, suffice to say that with a swansong this good there really is no need to stop any time soon!
Roy was, and remains a truly unique idealist, misfit & genius. A revolutionary and angry young man happy to paint lyrical pictures of a bucolic watercolour England of tradition and history, while simultaneosly railing against wrongs of our time. Outspoken, but happy to let lyrical subtlety do the talking in his many songs of love and loss.
There won't be Rick Rubin-esque "happy ending" to Roy's career, a "homecoming" for the MTV/iTunes generation. He will continue to stick to his guns, doing whatever he chooses, hopefully many more albums and shows. Maybe it would be nice to see some of his more influential champions (Jimmy Page, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, Johnny Marr etc.) acting as his producer to coax more music from him... who knows?
At the show, it was sad for him to reflect with us on the recent deaths of both his peer Bert Jansch and his one-time collaborator David Bedford, who would have been at the show were it not for his passing a month previously. Bedford contributed amazing orchestration on Harpers tour-de-force Stormcock album, which stands as an album-amongst-albums, right up there in the "how have I never heard this before" chart, a true unsung classic record, hailed by Johnny Marr and Joanna Newsom amongst others. Long may this journey continue. I can only thank those who introduced me to the music of Roy (Marc Mac & Ed Wilson).
If you are not already familiar with his music, his recent "Songs of Love & Loss" compilation and the previous "Counter Culture" are good starting points. His own website is a good place to start buying what's available, and you really should.
What we have here is a rare record company promotional item from 1975/76. It's 25 minutes-a-side promotional piece, put together like a radio show, presented by "whispering" Bob Harris.
Download mp3s here Download flac here (on their way!)
Thanks for the continuing support. There's plenty more music on the way!
As far as some of the older posts are concerned, several of the links are dead now and I've had a few requests to re-upload stuff, so I'll be sorting these out & making the music downloadable again soon.
As a record made in 2004, by a 17 year old (Connor Kirby-Long), on a small electronica label, this record wasn't destined to be high profile.
