BABY JAMES HARVEST

"Baby James Harvest" is the 4th full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Barclay James Harvest. The album was released through Harvest Records in November 1972. All tracks were recorded at Strawberry Studios in Stockport (in the case of "Delph Town Morn" featuring a 13-man brass orchestra conducted by Brian Day) except the closing track "Moonwater (Poco Adagio)" which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London with a 60-man classical orchestra.

Stylistically the music on "Baby James Harvest" continues the semi-progressive rock style of it´s predecessors. Strong vocals and harmonies, catchy songwriting, organic playing and the occasional use of mellotron, which provides the music with an epic dimension. While the band do produce more simple rocking tracks like "Crazy (Over You)" and "Thank You", there is a sophistication to the songwriting that´s umistakably a progressive rock trait. In the case of "Crazy (Over You)" it´s especially the harmony guitars that provide the sophistication to the track. It´s mostly the 10:23 minutes long "Summer Soldier" that falls under the progressive rock catagory and maybe the closing orchestra heavy "Moonwater (Poco Adagio)".

The album features an organic sound production, which is pleasant and inviting and suits the music well. The high level musicianship are, as always when we´re dealing with Barclay James Harvest, one of the great assets on "Baby James Harvest" and upon conclusion the album is another quality release by the band. It´s not quite as interesting as the first couple of releases by band, but still a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.