Search - Barclay James Harvest :: Time Honoured Ghosts

Barclay James Harvest's "American Rock-N-Roll" Album

07/06/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1975 Album by British mellotron masters Barclay James Harvest is unique in a couple of respects. It was their first (and only) album recorded in the USA, at "His Masters Wheels" studio in San Francisco. It also featured the song "Titles" which had lyrics comprised of the titles of Beetles songs. The album sleeve was designed by Bill Dare, and was based upon a Maxwell Parrish lithograph from the 1930's. The song "Jonathan" was based on the novel Jonathon Livingston Seagull, and was to have been the title song for the film of the same name. Difficulties arose between the author of the book and the band, and it was not used. This is a well thought out and produced album, and has some of the band's more enjoyable early works. "Hymn for the Children" is one of John Lees' more moving songs, and is still as topical today as it was back in 1975. If you are a Barclay James Harvest fan, this album would be a welcome addition to your collection. If you are not familiar with the band, this album is not a bad introduction to their music. With the amazing numbers of marginal albums available out there, it's nice to know that there are still bands making quality, technically excellent music, and that Amazon.com is carrying groups like Barclay James Harvest, allowing an entire generation of new fans to discover this magical music for themselves. Buy this album, you won't regret it!"

Not really time honoured

P. Schlingemann | The Hague, Holland | 10/22/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1975, BJH seemed to be the next 'big thing' in the area of progrock. Their previous albums had caught some attention and their style seemed to fit in well with the Genesis / King Crimson / PFM mood of the day. But it was short-lived. Their live double album had showed them at their best, featuring slow, romantic songs served on a carpet of mellotron and stretched out to infinity. Time Honoured Ghosts by contrast is a fairly normal studio album with relatively short songs on it. And they're not bad either. 'Titles' even became a real hit. The other memorable tune is 'Beyond the grave' with a more than a little touch of Procol Harum. BJH carried on to become big in certain countries, especially Germany, but Time Honoured Ghosts just wasn't strong enough to push them to the fore. In conclusion I would say: nice album if you are into getting a complete picture of the progrock scene of the seventies. Not much more."