Audio CD review:
Roy Harper - HQ

Roy Harper - HQ

Band: Roy Harper Title: HQ Rating: Release Date: 2000-06-16 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: The Game (Parts 1-5) 2: The Spirit Lives 3: Grown Ups Are Just Silly Children 4: Referendum (Legend) 5: Forget Me Not 6: Hallucinating Light 7: When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease

Deserves to be better known I have loved this album since I bought it in 1975. I will beg your indulgence while I tell a short story, but you will be rewarded with a bit of Roy Harper trivia that is evidently not well-known. Since it's on vinyl and I don't spend much time in the room where the turntable lives, I don't listen to it very often, but every once in a while I get a craving for "The Game" or "The Spirit Lives". I've been trying to find the CD for years, and have been unable to -- for the simple reason that I've been searching based on the name of the LP, which was *not* "HQ" -- it was "WHEN AN OLD CRICKETER LEAVES THE CREASE" (in caps on the jacket, in an "antique" typeface) The front of the album jacket is mostly occupied by an antiqued photo of someone I assume is Roy himself in cricket gear from the waist down, barechested, leaving what I assume must be the crease (I'm not a cricketer); on the back of the jacket are pictures of a ball, a bat, a wicket, and a panoramic shot of what I assume is a famous cricket stadium, as well as a list of 47 "Laws of Cricket". The label on the record itself identifies it as EMI/Chysalis CHR 1105, 1975. The name "HQ" had popped up before when I searched, but I never paid any attention to it. Today, the light bulb came on. Now -- why Roy Harper is not better known is a mystery to me. On the strength of this one album, he should have become a household word. Well, perhaps not a household word, but this is intelligent, articulate rock that is musically inventive -- and, dammit, he writes some catchy tunes that should've gotten people bopping whether or not they paid attention to the poetry, the vocal gymnastics, and the instrumental virtuosity. If you have never heard this album, try to find a copy -- or I think I've seen MP3s advertised, download one and listen to it. Getting the album itself might be tricky: I ended up ordering a copy from England (I'm in the US) for 16 pounds, including shipping; the used copies on Amazon are around $50 US. The best thing that could happen for this record, and for Roy Harper, is to have one of his songs used in a TV commercial; anyone out there who works for an ad agency, consider "Grownups Are Just Silly Children". Not that I'd be missing playing Goya . . . The album opens with The Game, one of Harper's most compelling long songs--it's a rocker with a smart lyric and includes David Gilmour and John Paul Jones. HQ finds Roy in 1975 as part of a rock quartet, Trigger. The next 2 tracks are solid rockers, "Spirit" is an anti-religion song, and "Grown ups" is a great 50's style boogie displaying Roy's playful wit. "Referendum" has some sweet guitar from Spedding and switches between acoustic and electric. "Forget Me Not" is the first acoustic song on the album and is a beautiful love song. "Hallucinating Light" is beautiful and finely crafted, and the album is superbly topped off with "Cricketer," an emotional and lovely take on aging and the proud memories of a life. The bonus tracks are good, but not as essential as the original album songs. Throughout, Roy's voice is top-notch. The lyrics are some of his finest, and his band is tight and rocking. I recommend this gem to anyone who likes classic rock, and especially to fans of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, and Dylan's folk-rock. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!. Thanx and a 'tip o' the hat'! "HQ" represents Roy Harper at his best, and stands as one of the finest rock albums of the 1970's. There are still legions of Zeppelin fans out there who hum along with "Hats Off To Roy Harper", blissfully oblivous that the song is a heartfelt tribute to a real person! Despite that immortalised plug from pal Jimmy Page, Harper remains a fairly obscure "musician's musician". The centerpiece is the ambitious 17-minute suite "The Game",the only song that can boast more verses than "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"! Harper has a Dream Team of musicians- Chris Spedding and Dave Gilmour on guitars, John Paul Jones on bass and Yes drummer Bill Bruford("Pink Zeppelin"?). Excellent and thoughtful songwriting abounds, especially the haunting, bittersweet "When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease", which always makes me tear up (and I know absolutely nothing about cricket!). A classic. One of his best It shines with his idiosincratic style and lyrical grace, and he still filled one side of the album(I first bought this on vinyl) with his obligatory many layered single track. This album was recorded when Roy was at his zenith commercially speaking. I was lucky enough to see him touring this album and can still remember the evening at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band add depth and emotion to When an old Cricketer. . a song that can make you feel like you are at peace with the world and not having to constantly battle against it. You might have guessed that I like Roy and all his music! If you like HQ then I would strongly recommend that you try to get hold of "Bullinamingvase". Roy rocks With the help of a few big names around this time, Roy produced an album of extremely focused and well executed material. Although not typical, this may be Harper's best effort ever. The lead off track, The Game, as well as When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease will leave an impression on anyone who hears it. You can see a complete list of all Roy Harper discography, or go back to the Roy Harper tabs