Barclay James Harvest- Relativity- Progressive Voyages Review PV070
Barclay James Harvest – Relativity -Progressive Voyages Review PV070
Barclay James Harvest have been around since the late 1960's and have been a significantly important chapter in the annals of Progressive Rock. Whilst admittedly making more of an impact in Europe than in their homeland they do have an interesting history. Surviving their 1970' heydays before splintering into 2 different versions of the same band in the 1980’s ɓefore largely fading from view. In addition they have managed to survive the death of founding member Stuart Woolly Wolstenholme in December of 2010.
Since his death, John Lees version of Barclay James Harvest have returned to action making the wonderful North album in 2013 and touring irregularly, mainly in Germany although they have made occasional UK incursions for specific events, such as the orchestral concert in Manchester in September 2023.
This new album Relativity marks a concerted effort to return once more to a somewhat different musical world of AI generated music and online streaming that is replacing the long arduous touring schedules they were used to in the old days.
What hasn’t changed though is their style of lush symphonic Rock with decent length songs and themes that reflect the current times. Oh it’s so good to have them back with us once more, this means that they have the opportunity to connect with a whole new generation of progressive music followers who may hitherto have largely ignored this seminal band and their long and industrious legacy of strong material. This new release hopes to address that with a new take on symphonic Progressive Rock that aims to connect with all listeners afresh.
This set is the 3-disc version. Disc 1 being The album itself Disc 2 is a live show from 2009 which featured Stuart Woolly Wolstenholme and Disc 3 being a Blu Ray disc of the surround sound mix of the album. It is a very tidy little set indeed.
The album has 11 tracks on the first cd and 13 tracks on the Live At Rosfest cd with the 11 tracks on the album remixed and presented in a 5.1 surround sound mix for the Blu Ray disc.
The album is what we are concerned with here though. The theme of the songs are relationships that we experience throughout our lives, along with the passage of time itself.
The album begins with the first Part of relativity (Through The Dust) That bears all the hallmarks that you normally associate with Barclay James Harvest, I.e. mellotrons sounds and an expansive soundscape. The lyrics explore the passage of time in relation to where we are today, it has a scientific theme to it, touching on quantum physics at points, it’s a song that sets you up for all that is to follow as Relativity part 2 (The Stars That Shine ) closes the album.
Second track is The Blood Of Abraham, this is a very graceful song with strong emotions running through its veins, the song has a great melody and is a fine addition to the BJH canon.
Heard It All Before is next and this is the story about a relationship that is breaking down between the two people who see things very differently, As the one party (the man) has not been truthful and has lied consistently and cheapened the relationship to the point at which the woman chooses to move on from him and find a new life. Whilst the man comes to realise that his actions have destroyed everything they had and he now has to face a life alone. It is quite a sad song, but told with style and has an upbeat tempo which acts as a contrast to its sad lyrics.
I really do like this song it’s really impressive. The music is very strong too with good use of keyboards that convey much of the melody, a strong and surging guitar line helps as well with making the song memorable especially in the strong chorus. The final section of the song where the woman flies off to a new life in the sun has airport sounds, that make a good impression in conveying the storyline.
Magpie follows next and is a far more gentle and restrained track opening with a strong piano line fading to a good guitar line, bass and drums, the vocals here are delicate and gentle but with conviction and emotion. This is a love song for one who is there to support comfort and simply belong with. The track has a very tasteful guitar solo in the middle section. The words are very tender and telling it is simply a beautiful respectful warm song that is very fine indeed.
Love is another gentle track, mainly acoustically delivered, again this is another warm song it is about growing together in love and also about how a couple are stronger as they work in tandem and accept and allow for each other’s feeling and needs to be met in their relationship, This is a song in which you can tell experience really counts for something, very strong sentiments here a lesson for us all to learn from each other.
Peace Like A River follows. This is hinged on a solid organ part that works well with the strong guitar playing and solid rhythm section. The chorus of “Feed hope not hate” is very strong,
Hourglass follows opening with a strong guitar line. The song is about the progression of a life through its many seasons and how you view thing differently as time passes, how time never stands still and always wins in the end. The middle section is very good with strong guitar and lots of swirling keyboards that all together sound glorious.
Snake Oil is next. This seems to be a narrative about politicians who lie and peddle half-truths to their largely uninformed followers, or alternatively it could be about the charlatans who claim to be able to speak to those who have departed if you pay them enough. Either way this is a hard hitting track with more organ providing much of the sound, good use of acoustic guitar as a major rhythm driver for the track. Again this song impresses, especially the flowing organ lines.
The End Of Days follows. Again this has a strong guitar opening line, the song is about the end of times, and has lots of biblical imagery used to paint a picture of a dark world and difficult times that are coming to the world.
Penultimate track is Picture World, which addresses itself with old friends and the memories you have of them. It names checks several BJH tracks in the lyrics and has a strong guitar motif to it, à strong fretless bass melody works well in the track as does the organ once again giving it a stately sound, the words are very evocative and strong. It’s a lovely song with much to commend it.
Relativity Part 2 follows to close the album, this has a surging guitar line to open and bells that chime to show the passage of time. It is a very effective opening part to a decent length song at over 9 minutes duration. The extended length allows John Lees a platform to solo across which makes a positive impression as you listen to it. This song concludes what is a really strong and satisfying collection of tracks from John Lees Barclay James Harvest troupe. There is a lot of music here to enjoy, fans of their earlier albums will find much to appreciate whilst still remaining true to their symphonic roots.
I must say this package is beautifully presented with graceful artwork and full lyrics in a clamshell box. It is very well done indeed by Esoteric Records.
Info here: John Lees' Barclay James Harvest: Relativity, 2CD+Blu-ray Box Edition https://share.google/Oe1CHzYUmXjXyy2Ep
Author John Wenlock-Smith.