Album review: BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST – 25th Anniversary Concert

March 29th, 2013 by petefeenstra

Voiceprint

Recorded back in 1992 at the Town & Country Club in London, this 25^th anniversary concert isn’t quite ‘an absolute must for any Barclay James Harvest fan’ as suggested by the brief liner notes. The budget price album offers only a re-mastered audio of previously released material. Indeed the real die hard fans might still have the full 14 track concert on video. More likely they probably invested in the surround sound DVD which also contains the same set list.

The 8 tracks still have their moment though, as the opening Mockingbird beautifully distils the bands unique style, while the twin guitar lines save a synth dominated ‘Medicine Man’ from an overwrought dirgy arrangement.

The piano led ‘Play To The World’ comes from an era dominated by Supertramp, but it’s a welcome live version with a beautiful close to the mic performance by Les Holroyd.

‘Life Is For Living’ always sounded a little like Simon & Garfunkel to these ears. It brings an uplifting feel to the set which extended by the guitar led ‘Rock n Roll Lady’ ,with echoes of Blue Oyster Cult, with impressive vocals and a pristine recording.

‘Poor Man’s Moody Blues’ lives up to its name and the Boland Brother’s single ‘Stand Up’ doesn’t quite make the successful techno transformation that they brought to Roger Chapman’s late 80’s career. The closing ‘Hymn’ overcomes some clichéd biblical lyrics to embrace the message of its title and more importantly connects with the fans.

Much like their late 60’s co-survivors The Moody Blues, BJH are an easy target for their earnest lyrics and proggy arrangements, but the good moments outweigh the bad. Then again, so they should, given that this CD could have gone the extra yard in terms of extra tracks.

*** (3/5)

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)