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Barclay James Harvest: Mocking Bird - Best Of Barclay James Harvest

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s

Artist: Barclay James Harvest
Title: Mocking Bird:
Best Of Barclay James Harvest
Released: 2001.04.16
Label: EMI Records Ltd.
Time: 76:01
Producer(s): See Artists ...
Appears with:
Category: Pop/Rock
Rating: *****..... (5/10)
Media type: CD
Purchase date:  2001.08.27
Price in €: 6,40
Web address: www.bjharvest.co.uk

 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Mother Dear (Barclay James Harvest) - 3:15
[2] Taking Some Time On (Barclay James Harvest) - 5:25
[3] Early Morning (Barclay James Harvest) - 2:32
[4] Brother Thrush (Barclay James Harvest) - 3:04
[5] Poor Wages (Barclay James Harvest) - 2:31
[6] Mocking Bird (Barclay James Harvest) - 6:41
[7] Vanessa Simmons (John Lees) - 3:46
[8] Galadriel (John Lees) - 4:14
[9] She Said (John Lees) - 8:22
[10] Child Of Man (John Lees) - 3:20
[11] Good Love Child (Barclay James Harvest) - 5:04
[12] Ursula [The Swansea Song] (Barclay James Harvest) - 2:52
[13] Medicine Man (John Lees) - 3:59
[14] The Poet (Woolly Wolstenholme) - 4:17
[15] After The Day (John Lees) - 5:17
[16] Moonwater (Stewart Wooly Wolstenholme) - 7:20
[17] Little Lapwing (Les Holroyd) - 4:49

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


JOHN LEES - Guitar, Vocals, Producer
LES HOLROYD - Bass, Additional Keyboards, Vocals, Producer
MEL PRITCHARD - Percussion, Drums, Producer
STEWART WOOLY WOLSTENHOLME - Keyboards, Vocals, Producer

TIM CHACKSFIELD - Compilation
PETER MEW - Digitally Remastering< br> NIGEL REEVE - Project Co-ordination
MONIKA DOMONE - Sleeve Notes
KEITH DOMONE - Sleeve Notes
THE RED ROOM - Artwork

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


2001 CD EMI 529 542-2

A new digitally remastered anthology of the namesakes of the Harvest label from when it was formed in 1970. BJH are masters of the use of the orchestra in pop as well as being great tunesmiths. They are one of the best loved progressive bands of the era and they continue on into this century.



Barclay James Harvest regularly come in for a critical kicking and yet they have a hardcore of fans for whom they can do no wrong. This Best Of covers their formative time with EMI's progressive rock label Harvest and the four albums they released in the early seventies.

It is a credit to the material that four of these songs were performed by the current band on their European Tour in spring 2001. New fans of the band should look no further than "Mocking Bird", "She Said","Galadriel" and "Medicine Man" for a fine introduction to the band. Other tracks of interest include their early single, "Early Morning" and "Brother Thrush".

The sleeve notes are excellent and come from Keith and Monika Domone who run the BJH Fan Club. This retrospective proves once and for all that BJH were not a poor-man's Moody Blues. They have sustained a thirty-year plus career and recent touring can only increase their durability.




Barclay James Harvest was, for many years, one of the most hard-luck outfits in progressive rock. A quartet of solid rock musicians — John Lees, guitar, vocals; Les Holroyd, bass, vocals; Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme, keyboards, vocals; and Mel Pritchard, drums — with a knack for writing hook-laden songs built on pretty melodies, they harmonized like the Beatles and wrote extended songs with more of a beat than the Moody Blues. They were signed to EMI at the same time as Pink Floyd, and both bands moved over to the company's progressive rock-oriented Harvest imprint at the same time, yet somehow, they never managed to connect with the public for a major hit in England, much less America.

The group was formed in September of 1966 in Oldham, Lancashire. Lees and Wolstenholme were classmates who played together in a band called the Blues Keepers; that group soon merged with a band called the Wickeds, which included Holroyd and Pritchard. They became Barclay James Harvest in June of 1967 and began rehearsing at an 18th century farmhouse in Lancashire. The psychedelic era was in full swing, and the era of progressive rock about to begin — the Moody Blues, in particular, were beginning to cut an international swathe across the music world. BJH cut a series of demos late in the year, and by the spring of 1968 they were signed to EMI's Parlophone label; in April they issued their first single, a folky, faux-classical song called "Early Morning." The group got caught up a year later in a corporate change at EMI, and it was decided to move the more progressive sounding groups on the label onto a new label — Harvest, taken from BJH's name. Their first release on the new label was the single "Brother Thrush."

In 1970, they released their first album, Barclay James Harvest, which included several of the early songs and displayed the group's strengths: filled with strong harmony singing, aggressive electric guitar, and swelling Mellotron parts, it set the pattern for their subsequent releases, with Lees and Holroyd handling most of the songwriting. The album failed to chart, and a subsequent tour was a financial disaster. Their second album, Once Again (1971), was an artistic letdown, made up of rather lethargic songs, although it did contain the superb, "Mockingbird," The band recorded two more albums for Harvest, Short Stories (1971) and Baby James Harvest (1972), and spent much of 1972 on the road, including an unsuccessful tour of the U.S. They also released a pair of singles, "When The City Sleeps" and "Breathless," under the pseudonym "Bombadil" (a name taken from a J.R.R. Tolkien short story), all to no avail. 1973 saw them part company with EMI after one last single, "Rock and Roll Woman."

Later in 1973, the band signed with Polydor, and their fortunes began turning around, though only very gradually. Their first album for the new label, Everyone Is Everybody Else, seemed promising: it was a more powerful and coherent work than the group had ever released for EMI, with Lees' guitar dominating on songs like "Paper Wings" and "For No One." The album also presented the first example of the group consciously paying tribute to (and satirizing) another group's hit song — "Great 1974 Mining Disaster" was a very heavy sounding tribute/satire of the Bee Gees' "New York Mining Disaster 1941." (They would later do work in this vein involving the Moody Blues.) The album failed to chart, however, as did the single "Poor Boy Blues," with its gorgeous harmonies.

It seemed at first as though BJH was locked once again into a cycle of failure. Finally, in late 1974, their double album Barclay James Harvest Live broke through to the public — the group was rewarded with a Top 40 placement in England and more sales activity on the European continent than they'd previously seen. Their next album, Time Honoured Ghosts, recorded in San Francisco, continued this gradual breakthrough when it was released in 1975, reaching number 32 in England. A year later, Octoberon reached the Top 20. An EP containing live versions of "Rock 'N Roll Star" and "Medicine Man" became another chart entry in the spring of 1977. By this time, EMI had begun to take advantage of the success of the group's Polydor work, and released A Major Fancy, a John Lees' solo album that had sat on the shelf for five years.

In 1977, they released Gone to Earth, their most accomplished album to date, and by the end of the year the group found themselves playing to arena-sized audiences. The release of XII in 1978 — which managed to just miss the British Top 30 — was followed by the group's first (and only) personnel shake-up. In June of 1979, Wolstenholme announced his exit from the band in favor of a solo career; the group's final tour with Wolstenholme was recorded and later released by Polydor under the title The Live Tapes. He was replaced by two new members, singer-keyboardman-saxophonist Kevin McAlea and singer-guitarist-keyboardman Colin Browne; Wolstenholme released one solo album, 1979's Maestro, to little success and then retired for a time from the music business.

Their 1979 album Eyes of the Universe was a modest hit in England, but its release marked a flashpoint in Barclay James Harvest's career in continental Europe, especially Germany; on August 30, 1980, the band performed a free concert in front of nearly 200, 000 people at the Reichstag in Berlin, which was filmed and recorded. A subsequent live album, Concert for the People, became the group's biggest selling album in England, rising to number 15 in 1982. Turn of the Tide (1981) and Ring of Changes (1983) were less successful, although the latter did spawn their last charting single, "Just a Day Away." Their subsequent Polydor albums, Victims of Circumstance, Face to Face, and Welcome to the Show, charted ever lower in England, even as the group's popularity grew in Europe. In 1988, they released a new live album, Glasnost, cut at a concert in East Berlin.The group marked the 25th anniversary with a concert in Liverpool, and toured to support a British Polydor compilation, The Best of Barclay James Harvest.

Bruce Eder - All-Music Guide, © 1992 - 2001 AEC One Stop Group, Inc.

 L y r i c s


MOTHER DEAR

Oh Mother dear
What a night this has been
I awoke in the light of a vision in white
The prettiest girl that I have ever seen
Lately my love, said the lady in white
I have watched from afar, but love draws me near
Now take my hand, hold tight, Mother dear
Do you know what this could mean, Mother dear?
Was it just another dream..... in the night?

Mother dear, on that same silver night Saw a figure in black by the lady in white
He said his name was death, was he right?
Do you know what this could mean, Mother dear?
Was it just another dream..... in the night?
Do you know what this could mean, Mother dear?
Was it just another dream..... in the night?

Mother dear, what a night this has been
It's so cold by your side, no don't cry, can't you see?
Won't you listen to me please, Mother dear
Was it just another dream, Mother dear?


TAKING SOME TIME ON

Let's come on and get together
Like the sky gets to the sea
Just taking some time on
Let's come on and make it better
Let's make everybody see
Just taking some time on
For those who feel inclined
To talk about the hideen feelings of their mind
Let's come on and get together
Let's come on and get together
Like the sky with the sea
Like the sky with the sea
Just taking some time on

Let's come on and tell the story
Of the way it used to be
Just taking some time on
Let's come on and sing a song now
Of the days when we were free
Just taking some time on
For those who feel inclined
To talk about the hideen feelings of their mind
Let's come on and get together
Let's come on and get together
Like the sky with the sea
Like the sky with the sea
Just taking some time on

Let's come on the feeling's right now
We want everyone to be
Just taking some time on
Let's come on and get together
Like the sky gets to the sea
Just taking some time on
For those who feel inclined
To talk about the hideen feelings of their mind
Let's come on and get together
Let's come on and get together
Like the sky with the sea
Like the sky with the sea
Just taking some time on


EARLY MORNING

Early morning,
It’s cold and the sun is white
For I was born in
The darkness before the light

Of a new day
A new way of living
Of giving delight
And if you pay
Then you may be slipping
Back into the night

Then all knowing
With words and with pen I write
Of the growing
Of things that are in my sight

Early evening
It’s cold and the moon is bright
And I believe in
The darkness before the light
Of a new day


BROTHER THRUSH

Brother Thrush, how you fly so high
Way up in the clouds
The trees resound with open arms
For one so rare
Brother Man just can’t compare

When we’re sitting on the banks
of the sunshine
We hear your song
High above the living

Brother gull, see him soar the sky
He’s so pleased to be
Buoyant and triumphant
On the raging sea
Backing nature, feeling free

Loving nature, rest your head
Hear the message, man is dead
See the cities fall
While Brother Bird still.... flies!

Brother Lark, see him wake the day
See him fly on by
Above the streets now empty
To his mournful cry
Brother Man just heaves a sigh

When we’re sitting on the banks
of the sunshine
We hear your song
High above the living
Yes, we hear your song...


POOR WAGES

And with the dawn she changes
Her voice in different ranges
The torn and tattered pages
Of all I’ve done, poor wages

Satisfied I’ve never lied
Say goodbye I couldn’t try
Destroy her cards and letters
Act like I’ve never met her
Hardest of all, forget her
Until my heart is better

Satisfied I’ve never lied
Say goodbye I couldn’t try


MOCKING BIRD

Rain, sea, surf, sand, clouds and sky
Hush now baby, don't you cry
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs in the trees
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs
Just for you and me
Rain, sea, surf, sand, clouds and sky
Time will see your tears run dry
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs in the trees
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs
Just for you and me

Rain, sea, surf, sand, clouds and sun
Bless the tears of love now gone
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs in the trees
There's a mocking bird
Singing songs
Singing just for me...


VANESSA SIMMONS

Vanessa Simmons, funny kind of name
Young and yet wise, only a child
Wake up in the morning, frown across your face
I know your name, but not your place
Wish I could show you how to live your life
But I'm not sure which one of us is right
God only knows the tears I've cried
Vanessa Simmons, funny kind of name
Have you got life wrong, is it just a game?
Wake up in the morning, find a friend at night
Friends are hard to find, especially at night
Wish I could show you how to live your life
But I'm not sure which one of us is right
God only knows, and He's the one that shows, the tears I've cried

And if I asked you for the sun, would you not say
"Light's not the only way to be"?
And if I asked you for your love, would you not say
"Love is not what you want from me"?
And would I not be right
To sit alone and wonder every night?

Vanessa Simmons, funny kind of name
Young and yet wise, only a child
Wish I could show you how to live your life
But I'm not sure which one of us is right
God only knows, and He's the one that shows, the tears I've cried


GALADRIEL

She comes up with the morning sun
And tells me life has just begun
Oh what it is to be young
And in the early evening light
She brings me flowers from the sun
Oh what it is to be young

And if you see her you will know
She's like a shadow
Falling softly on the snow

And in the early evening light
She brings me flowers for the night
Oh what it is to be young


SHE SAID

She said, "Why don't you come and stay with me
Far away from people we know?
We could live our lives together
Happiness wherever we go"
And I will always love her
And I will always care
And I will always love her

Wasn't long before she grew tired of me
And the life she thought would redeem
All the love she'd thrown away as a child
All the things she thought she had seen

And I will always love her
And I will always care
And I will always love her

And I will always love her
And I will always care
And I will always love her


CHILD OF MAN

Child of God was born today
The child of woman just slipped away
The Child of Man knelt down to pray
And the children of the earth
Didn’t know it was the day of
Creation, creation, creation

One thousand years or maybe more
Since they first set eyes on that foreign shore
The grass was green and the water pure
They turned the key and opened the door to a Nation, nation, nation

Child of God says love your brother
Take him by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand
Child of God says love your sister
Take her by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand

All believers gather round
Press your faces to the ground
Lift your voices to the sound
Of all the others who have found
Salvation, salvation, salvation


GOOD LOVE CHILD

Get up, get up, get up, child
Get off your knees
Take it, take it, take it, I'm easy
We're here to please
Put your hands in the air
Put your feet on the ground
Put your mind in a dream
'Cause there's nothing we ain't seen
Good love child
You know what I mean
Good love child
You've got to keep it clean
Good love child
Gonna steal the scene
Make love, make love, make love, child
And make it mean
Take love, take love, take love, child
And keep it clean
Put your hands in the air
Put your feet on the ground
Put your mind in a dream
'Cause there's nothing we ain't seen
Good love child
You know what I mean
Good love child
You've got to keep it clean
Good love child
Gonna steal the scene

Get up, get up, get up, child
Get off your knees
Take it, take it, take it, I'm easy
It's here to squeeze
Put your hands in the air
Put your feet on the ground
Put your mind in a dream
'Cause there's nothing we ain't seen
Good love child
You know what I mean
Good love child
You've got to keep it clean
Good love child
Gonna steal the scene


URSULA (THE SWANSEA SONG)

I once loved a lady who did change into a child
I saw the light of day shine in her eyes
I loved her like a baby and I raised her to the sky
It seems the light of day did pass me by

Now she walks along the seashore
And she listens to the sea
But I can't say if she ever thinks of me

If I were of the ocean
Or a wave upon the sand
Or just a drop of water in her hand
A pebble or a broken shell
A rock upon the shore
I doubt if I could love her any more

Now she walks along the seashore
And she listens to the sea
And I can't say if she ever thinks of me
No I can't say if she ever thinks of me


MEDICINE MAN

Didn't anybody see his hand move faster
Than the lightning in his eyes
Oh! what a cold surprise the flying horses cried
And didn't anybody want to ask the calliope
To call the tune
The flying horses crooned but did not know
The Medicine Man sits on the stage
Eats fire and water, earth and air while we all stare
The silver blade burns bright
And tells us to beware
Of mirrored passages that throw a thousand images
Of younger days
The wheel spins slower as it calls us back to play

Round and round now we go
Shout your name to the wind
As it spins by your side
Coloured lights echo as the sound slips on by
Could that have been me?


THE POET

Here I sit watching the day out
No-one beside me who may doubt
All of the words that I could chose to say
So listen, believe, or be gone from this day
I need a friend to walk with me
And sit in the shade of an old tree
To think nothing much, just agree with my thoughts
To say nothing much, never tell what I ought
Watching the people pass by now
They just don't know why or know how
They don't seem to care about all that I've seen
They just walk on by never knowing I've been
Sitting up here where I'm wind blown
Only to ask and to be shown
Things that would make you believe what I say
I'll tell you myself and I'll show you some day


AFTER THE DAY

The eyes of night march slowly by
The last grain falls
The kneeling man just sighs
Protected by the one great wall
Of coloured parts
He probes his clouded mind
If he takes a look around him
Is there nothing left to see
Is there nothing left at all
After the day

With trembling hands he wipes his eyes
He tries to stand
But does not feel the need
The morning sun shines on
The multicoloured cross
Left standing through it all

If he takes a look around him
Is there nothing left to see
Is there nothing left at all
After the day

If he takes a look around him
Is there nothing left to see
Is there nothing left at all
After the day


MOONWATER

The moon is making patterns on the water
Why it is I just can't say
I'm not old enough or wise enough to wonder
I don't think about the magic that I'm under
Oh moonwater, running out like silver from my eyes
Oh moonwater, running out like silver from my eyes
You'll find me in the twilight on the mountain
When the sun shines on the lake
I'm a child of darkness lost among the thunder
Where the shafts of moonlight break the sky asunder
Oh moonwater, running out like silver from my eyes
Oh moonwater, running out like silver from my eyes


LITTLE LAPWING

Bye, bye, bye
The time has come round again, my friend
A life and some time I just gotta spend
So bye bye, my friend
See you again
My mind in my pocket
The sun in my eye
There's gold in the mountains
The streams run by
So see you again

Swing low, swing high
Talk of the times, the love and the laughing
I'll come back to you in the spring, little lapwing
'Till then, bye bye

 M P 3   S a m p l e s


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