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Barclay James  Harvest - BBC In Concert 1972 CD (album) cover

BBC IN CONCERT 1972

Barclay James Harvest

 

Crossover Prog

3.59 | 29 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I am an absolute lover of "Live 1974". IMO, it is one of the greatest prog live album. Most of the songs featured on this great records, were written during their Harvest years (1970 - 1972).

During those years, BJH were playing on stage with a full blown orchestra which will cause them enormous financial problems and accelerate the decision of their record company to put a hold on their contract.

Towards the end of 1972, BJH recorded a concert for the BBC, featuring the orchestra. So, even if I was moderately enthusiast about their first four releases except for "Once Again" of course (you can read more about each of them in my appropriate reviews if you are interested).

Since six great songs (out of eight) of that era are featured, I was quite interested in hearing this record. And I must say that the result is ... charming. At times of course, the orchestra is somewhat invading, like in "Medicine Man" for instance.

At other moments, it will support the band rather discreetly ("Mocking Bird" or "Summer Soldier").

Two studio songs were very much orchestra-oriented. "Moonwater" from "Baby..." and "Dark Now My Sky" from their debut album. Logically, "Moonwater" sounds as classical as its studio counterpart. I am glad to hear a live version for "Dark Now My Sky", the only one of this type, as far as I know. This version is harder, more dramatic, more electric : better.

"The Poet", written by Woolly is the only average song of this release. Too melancholic (but so were most of their studio songs in the early seventies). It is immediately followed by "After the Day". The orchestra is a bit pompous at start, but as soon as the band enters the stage, things improved drammatically. The typical guitar sound available on "Live '74" is already present and so emotional... My favourite song from this album.

The sound is very good throughout the album and the audience is really cheerful. I just wonder why the fans needed to wait for about thirty years to be able to get these historical pieces of music onto CD. A great document. Essential for early BJH fans. A great and different way to re-disvover these jewels.

Seven out of ten would be my verdict. But I have been rather harsh with BJH in my reviews of their eighties and nineties work so I will sentimentally upgrade this live album to four star.

ZowieZiggy | 4/5 |

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