Wednesday 4 September 2013

roy harper in from the cold

That 60's generation of musicians are just not quitting. Roy Harpers return with a new album after 13 years is being hailed all round, "a magnificent rejuvenation". (Uncut Magazine)
One of the original folk troubadours in the UK, Harper back then always had a loyal almost fanatical following with rarely a student room or flat without a copy of one of the early albums by this enigmatic and quiet man. In the late 60's his music had become inspirational to many including Jimmy Page who named a track after him for a Zeppelin album, and has more recently joined him on stage for one off appearances. On the new 'Myth & Man' album produced by the contemporary talent of Jonathan Wilson who also supports on banjo and mandolin, Harper is also joined by his old mate Pete Townshend.
For a man who rarely had the spotlight held on his music for more than brief appearances on the early 70's rock TV show The Old Grey Whistle Test, and then dropped out of sight for the best part of 20 years from the late 70's and mainly only resurfacing for the odd live performance and the occasional album, it's a tribute to Harper and his music that he's since found a whole new generation who've been influenced by his work and that has finally prompted his return to recording after 13 years.
Roy Harper, the perpetual outsider, is now at last in from the cold.
For the time being there are no preview tracks from 'Man & Myth available to stream (released September)... but there will be.
In the mean time here is a rare and excellent appearance, probably on Australian TV in 1986 with his track "One Man Rock 'n' Roll Band" from his classic 1971 album 'Stormcock'.