Stormcock (album)
| Stormcock | ||||
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| Studio album by Roy Harper | ||||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Recorded | England | |||
| Genre | Progressive folk Folk baroque |
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| Length | 41:25 | |||
| Label | Harvest SHVL 789, Chrysalis CHR 1161, Science Friction HUCD004, HUCD047 |
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| Producer | Peter Jenner | |||
| Roy Harper chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Stormcock is the fifth album by English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Roy Harper. It was first released in 1971 by Harvest Records. It is widely considered to be his "best record". [2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The album contains four extended songs which showcase Harper's talents, both as songwriter and guitarist. But, perhaps most significantly Stormcock "...epitomized a hybrid genre that had no exclusive purveyors save Harper — epic progressive acoustic." [3]. The album features Jimmy Page on guitar, though upon the album's release, Page was credited as "S. Flavius Mercurius" for contractual reasons.
At the time, the album was not particularly well promoted by Harper's record label. Harper later stated:
They hated Stormcock. No singles. No way of promoting it on the radio. They said there wasn't any money to market it. Stormcock dribbled out. [4]
Nonetheless, Stormcock would remain a favourite album of Harper's fans.
[edit] Title
The album's title, Stormcock, is an old English name for the Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus). The male of this species "...sings its loud melodious song from a tree, rooftop or other elevated perch, often during bad weather or at night" [5] and so, is perhaps a metaphor for Harper himself. Harper has an appreciation of birdlife and has made reference to many birds on his albums.
[edit] Digital remaster
The album was digitally remastered in 2007. The package included in a 20-page case-bound booklet with new pictures, prose and poetry, and Page's name was added to the albums credits. The album also showcases David Bedford's orchestral arrangements (Bedford would also collaborate on some of Harper's later releases).
[edit] Influence
35 years after its release (2006) fellow Mancunian, Johnny Marr of English alternative rock band The Smiths said:
If ever there was a secret weapon of a record it would be Stormcock. I don’t know why it’s such a secret. If anyone thinks it might be a collection of lovely songs by some twee old folkie then they’d be mistaken. It's intense and beautiful and clever: [Bowie's] Hunky Dory's big, badder brother. [6] [7]
Joanna Newsom cited Stormcock as an influence upon her 2006 release Ys and in 2011, Robin Pecknold of Seattle, Washington-based folk band Fleet Foxes stated that he took inspiration from Stormcock when recording Fleet Foxes second album Helplessness Blues.
[edit] Track listing
All tracks credited to Roy Harper
[edit] Side one
- "Hors d'œuvres" – 8:37
- "The Same Old Rock" – 12:24
[edit] Side two
- "One Man Rock and Roll Band" – 7:23
- "Me and My Woman" – 13:01
[edit] Personnel
- Roy Harper – guitar and vocals
- S. Flavius Mercurius (Jimmy Page) – guitar
- David Bedford – Hammond organ and orchestral arrangements
- Peter Jenner – producer
- John Barrett – sound engineer
- Peter Bown – sound engineer
- John Leckie – sound engineer
- Phil McDonald – sound engineer
- Alan Parsons – sound engineer
- Nick Webb – sound engineer
- Richard Imrie – photography
[edit] References
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Link to opinion about Harpers 'best record'
- ^ AMG review
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/13/roy-harper-songs-of-love-and-loss?INTCMP=SRCH Roy Harper interview (2011)
- ^ Wiki link to Mistle Thrush
- ^ Arts Guardian. Arts Guardian. Retrieved on 5 August 2011.
- ^ 2008 Roy Harper interview. Popmatters.com Retrieved on 9 December 2011.
[edit] External links
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