Gone to Earth [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Barclay James Harvest | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Universal I.S.
• ASIN: B00009029P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,369 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hymn

2. Love Is Like A Violin

3. Friend Of Mine

4. Poor Man's Moody Blues

5. Hard Hearted Woman

6. Sea Of Tranquility

7. Spirit On The Water

8. Leper's Song

9. Taking Me Higher

10. Lied

11. Our Kid's Kid

12. Hymn

13. Friend Of Mine

14. Medicine Man

Editorial Reviews

2003 remastered reissue of the British progressive rock act's 1977 album includes 5 bonus tracks, 'Lied' (Previously Unreleased), 'Our Kid's Kid' (B-Side Of Polydor Single), 'Hymn' (Single Edit - Previously Unreleased), 'Friend Of Mine' (Single Version - B-Side Of Polydor Single) & 'Medicine Man' (Originally Released As A/B-Side Of BJH Live EP. Features 14 tracks in all & a 16-page booklet. Polydor. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BJH's best by far, December 10, 2005

By 

AJ (Kettering, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gone to Earth (Audio CD)

Its too bad that Barclay James Harvest never really broke into the USA market. When they were a single unit they were far more popular in Europe than America. Perhaps it was because they were one of those unfortunate groups who had a hard time staying with a label that would properly market them. It also didn' t help that when Gone to Earth was released artists such as ABBA and the BEE GEEs were riding the crest of a wave. Barclay James Harvest never relied on flashy virtuoso playing. But instead by the time Gone to Earth came out they had reached the level of production values every bit as good as the "big boys" of the time (eg. Pink Floyd, Zepplin, etc.) Its also not very fair that somewhere along the line they were unjustly compared to the Moody Blues. Although there are similarities, with abundant mellotrons and vocal harmonies BJH are definitely their own band. You would have to search hard to find vocal arrangements as developed as you find on the tracks Spirit on the Water, Love Is Like a Violin. And after 28 years, Taking Me Higher still sends me into a dreamy reverie. In a word, this album is a minor masterpiece. If you want a well produced album that explores literate themes, with first rate vocals and arrangements, you really can't do better than this album,.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous sound and production, August 7, 2007

By 

raja99 (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gone to Earth (Audio CD)

I'm not much on writing reviews, but suffice it to say, this is an absolutely tremendous prog-rock album. The quality of the production and the music are first rate. The first time I heard this album I could not believe they were virtually unheard of in the U.S. The album opens with "Hymn", a perfect selection to start the album with, a poetic masterpiece penned by guitarist John Lees. There is not a bad song on this album. Bassist Les Holroyd's "Hard Hearted Woman", plus "Friend of Mine", "Love is Like a Violin" and "Sea of Tranquility" are other noteworthy songs. But, the highlight is John Lees' "Poor Man's Moody Blues", which manages to outdo the other band at their own game.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Sounds Of The Good Ole Days....., September 27, 2009

By 

D. W. Whitlock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gone to Earth (Audio CD)

During the late 1970s, my life was absolutely great. I was young, healthy, getting high, and listening to the great progressive rock of the day such as Barclay James Harvest's "Gone To Earth". I first heard the entire album on one of those late night import radio shows and was mesmerized by this prog/rock masterpiece. Whenever I smoked a joint, playing this album was a must as I had to hear "Spirit On The Water", "Sea Of Tranquility" and "Leper's Song" while stoned. The album had exceptional sound and production qualities back in 1977, and the remastered CD captures that very well. Listening to the CD brings back a flood of great memories as I have not heard this music in 30 years. I purchased several other Barclay James Harvest albums during the late 70s, but none of them could compare to "Gone To Earth". BJH created an album of music here that superbly captured the spacey, cutting edge essence and innovation that made 1970s prog/rock such a cool and ethereal listening experience in those days. I am now going to pop this CD into my laptop, put on the headphones and be transported back to a time when life was simple, the weed was sweet and I was happy....