Counter Culture

Roy Harper | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Science Friction
• ASIN: B0009QZ4LA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,615 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sophisticated Beggar

2. You Don't Need Money

3. Francesca

4. I Hate The White Man

5. Another Day

6. The Same Old Rock

7. Me And My Woman

8. South Africa

9. I'll See You Again

10. Twelve Hourse Of Sunset

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. One Of Those Days In England (Pts. 2-10)

2. These Last Days

3. Cherishing The Lonesome

4. The Flycatcher

5. You

6. Frozen Moment

7. Pinches Of Salt

8. Miles Remains

9. Evening Star

10. I Wann Be In Love

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Roy Harper is a Man Whose Name Everyone Knows, Many People May Not Be Sure Why They Know It, but He Has Undoubtedly Influenced Many a Music Fan and Musician Over the Last 40 plus Years of his Career. Roy Harper Has Made Over 30 Albums in his Illustrious Life. It is Therefore Not by Coincidence that He Felt it is Time to Release a Double Album Including What He Considers the his Favorite Tracks from a Career Spanning More Than a Few Decades. What is Coincidence, is that it Falls at the Same Time as Mojo Magazine have Decided to Honour Roy Harper's Achievements Within the Music Industry with a Mojo Hero Award. The Tracks Chosen for the Album were According to Roy "Cherry Picked According to his Mood in April of 2005". Just on These Few Tracks Alone the Talent that Accompanies Him Just Proves How Respected He is Within the Music Industry.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take The Plunge!, September 14, 2008

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This review is from: Counter Culture (Audio CD)

Like his late contemporary Frank Zappa, Roy Harper's name is probably better known than his music. I would venture to guess that thousands of American kids like myself first noticed his name in the title of a Led Zeppelin number on their 3rd album. A few years later we got a taste of his vocal talents on the Pink Floyd tune Have A Cigar. Whatever the reasons, Roy Harper's music has never become as well known as his name, and that's too bad. The man has been a creative powerhouse of a songwriter/vocalist/progressive electro-acoustic guitar stylist, and an outspoken socio-political observer for the past 40 years. In short, a vital artist deserving wider recognition, which brings us to the topic of this excellent anthology.

If you've never heard Harper's music, this is a great place to start. The collection contains many standout tracks including Another Day, The Same Old Rock (with Jimmy Page), and When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease on disc one. Pink Floyd fans will love this tune! Disc two may be even better as it kicks off with some superb material from the 1977 release Bullinamingvase. The 19 minute One Of Those Days In England, and Cherishing The Lonesome are two of Roy's finest pieces. The former contains not a dull moment, and is full of lovely melodies, great energy and splendid guitar work. Harper sings his heart out on Cherish... one of his best rockers! Miles Remains is an atmospheric reverb drenched guitar sound sculpture lamenting the passing of the great jazz legend. Also included is the title track to Harper's superb 2000 release, The Green Man. If you don't prefer compilations, that album would be a great place to start. It features top flight material, beautifully recorded acoustic guitars, and phenomenal vocals from the then 60 year old Harper.

On the other hand, if you want a superb overview of a brilliant but neglected career singer/songwriter and visionary, you can't do any better than Counter Culture. Mr. Harper handpicked the tunes himself, and he's written extensive liner notes to compliment this superb collection!