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Post by Slinger on Apr 30, 2024 23:12:14 GMT
Originally issued in 1977, Live Tapes is the perfect introduction for anyone wishing to discover the music of Barclay James Harvest. Less a document of a particular tour and more a summation of where the band had been up to that point, Live Tapes was recorded during the European tours of 1976-77. At this stage in their career, BJH had become very popular in Europe, especially in Germany where their previous studio album, Gone to Earth would eventually sell an astounding one million copies. Not bad for a band that would never crack the all important American market and largely remain a cult phenomenon in their native UK. While the song selection focuses on the band's albums for the Polydor label, Live Tapes includes some of their earliest best known material as well. "Crazy City", "For No One", "Child of the Universe" and of course "Mockingbird" are all here. The production for these songs is much clearer than that heard on the Barclay James Harvest: Live album from 1974. All the BJH classic trademarks are in place: gorgeous harmony vocals, biting guitar leads from John Lees, symphonic mellotron strings from Wooly Wolstenholme and the rock solid rhythm section of bassist Les Holroyd and percussionist Mel Pritchard. The more recent songs establish a couple of important things: as individuals, the writing was stronger than ever but it also showed that the band was growing apart. Contrast the symphonic rock of the clever "Poor Man's Moody Blues" which is both wonderfully self-deprecating and a clever passtiche at once, or the gorgeous melancholy of "Suicide?" with the California rock of "Hard Hearted Woman" and "Rock and Roll Star". Though no rift may have been evident to the casual listener at the time, the difference of opinion as to where to take the music of Barclay James Harvest would split the band after the following year's XII album. I'm an unashamed fan of BJH, and have been for years. A little bonus for you which is not on this album, but it would have fitted oh so perfectly, is simply called "Titles" which I bought as a single when I was in Holland one day, and is on their 1975 album, "Time Honoured Ghosts". Newly remastered by Paschal Byrne for the Eclectic Discs label in, I believe, 1999 'Live Tapes' sounds better than ever. The track order is slightly altered from the original vinyl, which may drive purists nuts, but the new running order also includes a few live bonus tracks to sweeten the deal. |
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Post by ChrisB on Apr 30, 2024 23:52:12 GMT
Nice Choice Paul.
Thanks.
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Post by MartinT on May 1, 2024 4:38:54 GMT
Excellent choice, thanks Paul.
Queued for playing later.
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Post by John on May 1, 2024 4:58:51 GMT
Never got into them but I have not tried this album It will be interesting to come back and see where I am with them
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Post by MikeMusic on May 1, 2024 10:12:50 GMT
Used to love them
And other short stories is a great album
Queued for listening
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Post by Tim on May 1, 2024 10:52:25 GMT
Crikey, BJH . . . used to like them, saw them a few times too, can't remember when I last played them? I have 3 of their albums, but not this one.
EDIT: Last.fm remembers though - I played the album Once Again a couple of times in January 2019, but nothing else since my Last.fm data commenced in April 2012.
I'll give it a spin Paul  |
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Post by Slinger on May 1, 2024 13:01:02 GMT
Bloody Hell. I think I've just beaten the record for the fastest one-star review ever.  |
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Post by ajski2fly on May 1, 2024 14:30:40 GMT
BJH a long time favourite of mine, I will look forward to playing this one Paul. |
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Post by MartinT on May 1, 2024 18:18:26 GMT
As live albums go, it's a bit distant, coloured, sibilant and lacking in impact so lies between the really poor ones and a great live document. Saying that, some of their greatest songs like Child of the Universe, For No One and Mockingbird are nice to hear performed live.
It's an interesting album but, for me, doesn't usurp the original studio recordings. 3/5.
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Post by John on May 2, 2024 4:49:40 GMT
Well crafted songs, but unfortunately it never manages to engage me.
Sorry a 2 for me.
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Post by ajski2fly on May 2, 2024 14:48:03 GMT
Well I am half way through and it is rather disappointing, and that is how I remembered it from way back, it is not the songs or music which I like, I am reffereing to the mix/presentation. The soundstage is very flat, to say the least, and as Martin said all a bit distant, and dynamic impact is quite poor. I wonder how they recorded it, presumably straight off the mixing desk, not one of the better live albums out there I am afraid. I have just given up on listening to it as becoming annoying, I prefer to hear these songs on other recordings.
I was going to give 3/5 for musical content only, but this mix/presentation is so bad I have gone 2/5.
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Post by Tim on May 2, 2024 15:47:16 GMT
Struggled a bit with this Paul, but I did make it to the end though. I think my tastes have changed more than I realised, but to be fair I don't really enjoy live rock albums from the 70s as they sound so poor, Made in Japan being a rare exception. It's not terrible though and it was interesting to revisit BJH - would have given it 2.5 if I could, but it's not a 3, so 2/5 from me old bean |
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Post by Slinger on May 2, 2024 21:20:47 GMT
I don't think I've ever seen such a diverse set of results. The first five votes actually ranged from one to five. C'mon, own up, who awarded the "one"? |
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Post by MikeMusic on May 3, 2024 10:01:58 GMT
Good in a few places
Not their best and not great quality
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Post by rfan8312 on May 12, 2024 20:26:58 GMT
Last summer I had to help a friend move who lives about 1 hour away. I became obsessed with Creedence Clearwater Revival on those drives.
Well, it's time to help that friend move again and will try this on those night time drives.
2/5 to start and hoping to find magic
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