GONE TO EARTH

The classic Barclay James Harvest album, with, as always in the polydor period, an excellent cover art! It seems strange to me see that an album like this is so low rated! Ok, it is not an example of hard/prog rock, but its sweetness, its gentleness is a real delight to ears! The contributions of the band members are all great: - Stuart "Wooly" Wolstenholme's one is Sea Of Tranquility (a good name for a progressive music site, isn't it?), which is generally reckoned to be one of his best! The lyrics are about, presumably, the futility of the 60's and 70's space race. He always tries to write music and words in an optimistic and romantic vein. - Les Holroyd's works demonstrate a stronger commercial attitude than the other member's songs, but are all essential in the Barclay James Harvest live reperetoire! I think in particular about Friend Of Mine which has splendid guitar riffs and beautiful voice! Also Hard Hearted Woman, Taking Me Higher and Spirit On The Water are all soft and strong at the same time. - John Lees' songs are the most celebrated of the many he had written: in primis Hymn, a song that, alone, give the album 5 stars, a song rivalled only by Mocking Bird (1971); then Love Is Like A Violin and Poor Man's Moody Blues concepted to de-construct the Moody Blues well-known hit "Nights In White Satin". Ironically the song has become one of the most popular in the BJH repertoire. Other important song, the only one in this album with a stronger rock vein is the beautiful Leper's Song on a man who cannot deal with the pressures of his job. Conclusion: a great album, with a strong personality! Great atmospheres and deep emotions!!