During my one year at Sheffield University I helped out on the Entertainments Group, basically swapping days of setting up for events for free entry to all events. One such event was a Roy Harper gig, and I'm happy to report that Mr Harper was a right royal pain in the arse, roller skating around the hall with guitarist Andy Roberts, getting in the way, while we tried to set up a stage and carry enormous speakers in.
But to give him his due, he went on to give a superb gig that evening, one of the best I've seen, mostly consisting of material from his HQ and Bullinamingvase albums. At one time I had a lot of Harper on vinyl, but I haven't replaced much on CD. Ironically Valentine is one I never had on vinyl, so I guess I picked it up cheap in a charity shop.
Like many Harper releases, he's surrounded by the great and good of pop, with Jimmy Page, Ronnie Lane, Keith Moon and Ian Anderson putting in an appearance.
The album opens with Forbidden Fruit, sounding very typical of early acoustic Harper, but now looking very dubious in content, especially in the light of the charges Harper faced forty years after this album (all of which were rejected by a jury). Male Chauvinist Pig Blues sounds like it has the potential to be equally problematic, but the lyrical content isn't as you'd expect from the title. It's something of a throwaway band number, an unremarkable rock song. It's back to the acoustic Harper on I'll See You Again, a lovely slow song, but ruined for me by the syrupy orchestral arrangement. By contrast, Twelve Hours Of Sunset makes do with a far more restrained arrangement, and allows the song to speak for itself. Following that the jazz-lounge vibe on Acapulco Gold feels limp, especially on a weaker song, and Commune seems to go one a bit longer than is interesting. Magic Woman is better, but not a Harper classic. Che is a pleasant acoustic guitar instrumental, but no more, however it's followed by a lovely version of the traditional song North Country. The original album ends with Forever, again pleasant and listenable, and trademark Harper without being classic.
On this CD release, there's both a studio and live version of Home, a great song. I knew the studio version (enhanced by Ian Anderson on flute) as the B side of the single When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease and the live version is a much higher energy version. These book-end Too Many Movies, a rambling but powerful song, with some fantastic guitar work.
There's much to love on this album, and some things that disappoint, but I find it rare the Roy Harper produces something I adore absolutely. Part of his uncompromising nature (see 'pain in the arse' earlier) means that he never plays safe, or delivers what every listener wants.
3* - a mixed bag, but plenty to enjoy
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