Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Punk's rise in Britain seemed to be leading to the demise of Barclay James Harvest, the fate awaiting so many of the island's veteran rock bands. Although 1976's Octoberon had finally pushed the band into the U.K. Top 20, it was all downhill from there, as the group's follow-ups in 1977 and 1978 landed ever lower in the listings, something that Barclay James Harvest's shift to a brighter, more American sound did nothing to prevent. Keyboardist Wooly Wolstenholme had enough, and announced his decision to depart in early 1979 during the rehearsals for their forthcoming album. Graciously, he agreed to take the stage with the group for its European tour that summer, with his final gig recorded and subsequently released as The Live Tapes. Les Holroyd initially filled in on keyboards in the studio, until Kevin McAlea was brought in, and recording proceeded apace. The eight-song Eyes of the Universe album was released later that year, a strong set that kicked off with the spinoff single "Love on the Line." If that number showcased their more Americanized style, "Sperratus" highlighted their British roots, with its Renaissance-rinsed ersatz harpsichord and soaring guitar parts. "Alright Down Get Boogie (Mu Ala Rusic)" illustrated that Barclay James Harvest were open to new sounds, in this case disco, and "Rock n' Roll Lady" to old, its riff obviously inspired by Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper." The epic "Play to the World," meanwhile, slowly builds in scope, growing ever more grandiose across its six-plus minutes, until finally Alan Fawkes' saxophone solo kicks in, adding a sweep of Springsteen to the proceedings. "The Song (They Love to Sing)" is nearly as majestic, while "Capricorn" is just lyrically baffling, although musically upbeat. Considering the events swirling around its making, Eyes was a triumph, although once again it took the band even lower in the British listings. But, oh, its impact in Europe! The set soared up the charts across the continent, turning Barclay James Harvest into instant superstars. Eventually, the band would reach new heights in Britain as well, but from this point forth, it was across the channel that the band's fate truly lay.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
John Lees, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Producer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Kevin McAlea, Piano, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - John Lees, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Producer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Kevin McAlea, Organ, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - John Lees, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Producer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Fawkes, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Kevin McAlea, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - John Lees, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Kevin McAlea, Organ, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - John Lees, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Barclay James Harvest, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Producer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1980 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
John Lees, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Barclay James Harvest, Producer, MainArtist - Les Holroyd, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Martin Lawrence, Producer - Mel Pritchard, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Alan Fawkes, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1992 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Album review
Punk's rise in Britain seemed to be leading to the demise of Barclay James Harvest, the fate awaiting so many of the island's veteran rock bands. Although 1976's Octoberon had finally pushed the band into the U.K. Top 20, it was all downhill from there, as the group's follow-ups in 1977 and 1978 landed ever lower in the listings, something that Barclay James Harvest's shift to a brighter, more American sound did nothing to prevent. Keyboardist Wooly Wolstenholme had enough, and announced his decision to depart in early 1979 during the rehearsals for their forthcoming album. Graciously, he agreed to take the stage with the group for its European tour that summer, with his final gig recorded and subsequently released as The Live Tapes. Les Holroyd initially filled in on keyboards in the studio, until Kevin McAlea was brought in, and recording proceeded apace. The eight-song Eyes of the Universe album was released later that year, a strong set that kicked off with the spinoff single "Love on the Line." If that number showcased their more Americanized style, "Sperratus" highlighted their British roots, with its Renaissance-rinsed ersatz harpsichord and soaring guitar parts. "Alright Down Get Boogie (Mu Ala Rusic)" illustrated that Barclay James Harvest were open to new sounds, in this case disco, and "Rock n' Roll Lady" to old, its riff obviously inspired by Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper." The epic "Play to the World," meanwhile, slowly builds in scope, growing ever more grandiose across its six-plus minutes, until finally Alan Fawkes' saxophone solo kicks in, adding a sweep of Springsteen to the proceedings. "The Song (They Love to Sing)" is nearly as majestic, while "Capricorn" is just lyrically baffling, although musically upbeat. Considering the events swirling around its making, Eyes was a triumph, although once again it took the band even lower in the British listings. But, oh, its impact in Europe! The set soared up the charts across the continent, turning Barclay James Harvest into instant superstars. Eventually, the band would reach new heights in Britain as well, but from this point forth, it was across the channel that the band's fate truly lay.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:56:50
- Main artists: Barclay James Harvest
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2012 Polydor Ltd. (UK) This Compilation ℗ 1979 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.