LIFEMASK

Lifemask earmarks Roy Harper's sixth studio release. It is a richly woven album consisting of both progressive and folk influences. The album opens with the emphatic ' Highway Blues'. This is a dark song and a hard act to follow for the rest of the album because it is so darn good. Both Roy Harper's and Jimmy Page's guitar work is excellent on Lifemask but seriously ' Highway Blues' has to be played very loud to be fully appreciated. ' All Ireland' follows and is a solemn ballad led by Roy Harper's distinctive vocals. ' Bank Of The Dead' features Jimmy Page again as does the epic long track ' The Lord's Prayer'. Harper and Page combine so convincingly on guitars, it is little wonder they played live occassionally also. ' South Africa' is another highlight on Lifemask, a love song, but justafiably anti apartheid nuances throughout. This is not Roy Harper's best studio album but still highly recommended for any progressive folk enthusiasts. It is also worth mentioning that Peter Jenner of the Harvest label/Pink Floyd fame produces Lifemask. 4 stars!

3.5 stars really!!!

Generally seen as one of Harper's most definitive work, Lifemask often gets the nod from progheads, because of the side-long "epic" (if it can be called that), although this writer thinks differently, even if the present is indeed among Roy's best work. After the career jumping FJO, the superb (and near perfect) Stormcock, the intimate Flat Baroque & Bezerk, Lifemask makes the perfect square. A four of a kind in row that few had managed before him. Of course this album, with its arresting artwork has also a five star prog line-up with Page, The Nice's Davison, one of the Broughton bros and more.. can only give more fuel to the proghead's pledge.

Highway Blues is just a tad more than a blues and Page's interventions are solid. The All Ireland track is a real stunner, one of those spine-chilling moments with its dramatic texts, too bad it's a bit short. Equally beautiful is Little Lady, but this one overstays its welcome, because a bit too repetitive. Bank Of The Dead brings you back a bit to FJO's better moments, Page and Harper making a fantastic duo. South Africa is another highlight filled with delicate and delicious guitars.

You've all been waiting patiently for the side-long "epic" called Lord's Prayer. Well, it sucks big bones!! At least the title does to this old confirmed pagan. It starts with Harper's spoken performance of one of his poem, much like Jim Morrison would in American Prayer two years before or the beat poets (Burroughs, Ginsbergh and others) would do in counter-culture happenings in jazz clubs a decade before. When it's finally over, Roy starts singing (Modal Song) with only his guitar dishing its arpeggios under waves of echoed Harper sung lines. Lovely stuff really!! Slowly the other musicians joins, but this is only really only noticeable once Page's electric guitar gets into the game, the song getting very impressive. Harper's voice is soaring high above the rest of the music, but the song keeps unravelling its mysteries and haunts you further. Great stuff

Yes, Lifemask is one of Harper's strongest albums, one that can top a career, but Harper has more than one trick up his sleeve and Lifemask is not the only ace in his poker hand, but one of three.