I am well aware that this has been posted on pretty much every blog around. But it's not like I've really been breaking any new ground with this crap heap, so what the hell. I figure I have a few friends out there who'd probably like this and don't have it yet (mean you Matt). Maybe there's another reader who doesn't have it as well. And you should since Harper is a super awesome. And even if you don't recognize the name, I'm sure you've already heard him. Remember that Pink Floyd song "Have a Cigar"? Well, that's Harper singing. Led Zeppelin even has a tribute to him. So the heavy hitters were even him to this guy way back when, and you should be too if you aren't already.Here
This really should be a compulsory addition to every blog. The internet can always be enriched with some more Roy Harper.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. Evrybody who knows anything about music give Harper some serious props, yet he never seems to have climbed out of cult status. Unfortunately really.
ReplyDeleteI think he is too unconventional to have real mainstream appeal but is often brilliant both musically and lyrically. I've seen him play many times over the years and it is rare that he plays to a large audience. Sometimes it seems that the world is diametrically opposed to the way it should be. If talent and insight counted for more he would be considered one of the greats. He was coaxed out of 'retirement' to support Joanna Newsom at the Royal Festival Hall relatively recently so he's been getting a little appreciation.
ReplyDeleteFuck her. My brother got the boot from a show because she thought he was being too confrontational. She is absolute rubbish. And those cry baby antics don't play around these parts, though she closely resembles an ex of mine. Unfortunate again, that a legend has to rely on the support of such minor figures that will certainly be forgotten when pitchfork denounces her next album. I love some harp, but that idiot is a gimmick. Harper, however, is almost elemental.
ReplyDeleteWell I have to agree that the billing was all arse backwards. Funnily enough I have seen Roy Harper have someone ejected from a show for being disruptive. He's certainly not above a bit of that.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the harp too. Such a beautiful instrument. Alan Stivell is your man.
Have you ever had the opportunity to catch Roy's son Nick Harper in concert? He is phenomenal too. Unfortunately I found his recorded material didn't quite have the same energy, but it would really take some to top the live performance.
Stivell's an odd figure. He's the type that you'll find an obscure record of his at a thrift shop or boot sale for nothing, yet it surpasses all the weirdo psych records everyone pines after. And no, I haven't heard anything from his son. Dunno if he tours the states much.
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