Customer Reviews

HQ (aka When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease)

5 star:		(7)
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3 star:		(1)
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I will beg your indulgence while I tell a short story, but you will be rewarded with a bit of Roy Harper trivia that is evidently not well-known.

I have loved this album since I bought it in 1975. Since it's on vinyl and I don't spend much time in the room where the turntable lives, I don't listen to it very often, but every once in a while I get a craving for "The Game" or "The Spirit Lives".

I've been trying to find the CD for years, and have been unable to -- for the simple reason that I've been searching based on the name of the LP, which was *not* "HQ" -- it was "WHEN AN OLD CRICKETER LEAVES THE CREASE" (in caps on the jacket, in an "antique" typeface) The front of the album jacket is mostly occupied by an antiqued photo of someone I assume is Roy himself in cricket gear from the waist down, barechested, leaving what I assume must be the crease (I'm not a cricketer); on the back of the jacket are pictures of a ball, a bat, a wicket, and a panoramic shot of what I assume is a famous cricket stadium, as well as a list of 47 "Laws of Cricket". The label on the record itself identifies it as EMI/Chysalis CHR 1105, 1975.

The name "HQ" had popped up before when I searched, but I never paid any attention to it. Today, the light bulb came on.

Now -- why Roy Harper is not better known is a mystery to me. On the strength of this one album, he should have become a household word. Well, perhaps not a household word, but this is intelligent, articulate rock that is musically inventive -- and, dammit, he writes some catchy tunes that should've gotten people bopping whether or not they paid attention to the poetry, the vocal gymnastics, and the instrumental virtuosity.

If you have never heard this album, try to find a copy -- or I think I've seen MP3s advertised, download one and listen to it. Getting the album itself might be tricky: I ended up ordering a copy from England (I'm in the US) for 16 pounds, including shipping; the used copies on Amazon are around $50 US.

The best thing that could happen for this record, and for Roy Harper, is to have one of his songs used in a TV commercial; anyone out there who works for an ad agency, consider "Grownups Are Just Silly Children"...

HQ finds Roy in 1975 as part of a rock quartet, Trigger. The album opens with The Game, one of Harper's most compelling long songs--it's a rocker with a smart lyric and includes David Gilmour and John Paul Jones. The next 2 tracks are solid rockers, "Spirit" is an anti-religion song, and "Grown ups" is a great 50's style boogie displaying Roy's playful wit. "Referendum" has some sweet guitar from Spedding and switches between acoustic and electric. "Forget Me Not" is the first acoustic song on the album and is a beautiful love song. "Hallucinating Light" is beautiful and finely crafted, and the album is superbly topped off with "Cricketer," an emotional and lovely take on aging and the proud memories of a life. The bonus tracks are good, but not as essential as the original album songs. Throughout, Roy's voice is top-notch. The lyrics are some of his finest, and his band is tight and rocking. I recommend this gem to anyone who likes classic rock, and especially to fans of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, and Dylan's folk-rock. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

There are still legions of Zeppelin fans out there who hum along with "Hats Off To Roy Harper", blissfully oblivous that the song is a heartfelt tribute to a real person! Despite that immortalised plug from pal Jimmy Page, Harper remains a fairly obscure "musician's musician". "HQ" represents Roy Harper at his best, and stands as one of the finest rock albums of the 1970's. The centerpiece is the ambitious 17-minute suite "The Game",the only song that can boast more verses than "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald"! Harper has a Dream Team of musicians- Chris Spedding and Dave Gilmour on guitars, John Paul Jones on bass and Yes drummer Bill Bruford("Pink Zeppelin"?). Excellent and thoughtful songwriting abounds, especially the haunting, bittersweet "When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease", which always makes me tear up (and I know absolutely nothing about cricket!). A classic.

HQ being Roy Harper's 8th studio album and 1975 remind me of both Pink Floyd's The Wall and believe or not Kraftwerks Autobahn. The album starts out with The Game a track that is in five parts and is therefore very similair to how both the mentioned albums are recorded. The booklet is amazing. It is probably one of the best rock booklets I have seen in a long time. First we get many photographs from the time of the recording. We get a lengthy essay callaed "Doctor Doom The Optimist". All the lyrics are included along with comments under neath the lyrics which is very interesting to read. We also get to read two reviews from the time. One written by Melody Maker and the other by New Musical Express. In the middle you also get to know the rules of cricket which makes for good reading for a person that does not know so much about this sport. 5/5.

Like others, I overlooked this CD as I was searching for "When an Old Cricketeer Leaves the Crease". Well, turns out that the two are one and the same. What a joy to hear this album again after 30 years. The songs hold up quite well.

This album represents a bit of a departure for Roy Harper. It's a combination of folk and hard rock. Roy's band includes guitar whiz Chris Spedding (Shark) and Bill Bruford (King Crimson). "The Game" is the exception, with Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Steve Broughton backing Roy up. Chris Spedding does makes an appearance on this track with an incredible 3 minute slide guitar solo.

By track:
1. The Game: A 13 minute stream of consciousness that starts off with an infectious guitar riff. Parts 1 & 5 are pure rock, with parts 2,3 & 4 resembling Pink Floyd. A masterpiece.

2. The Spirit Lives: An anti-religion song that starts off folksy and ends up as a rocker. The lyrics are controversial ("You Christians destoryed our tribe; I'll fight you till I die"). Again some nifty slide guitar work courtesy of Mr. Spedding.

3. Grown-Ups are Just Silly Children: A simple but poignant statement. This song has a rockabilly feel to it,with Roy's vocals stretching into new territory.

4. Referendum (Legend): Roy's vocals and Chris' guitar work synch up to produce arguably the best track (other than The Game) on the disk.

5. Forget Me Not: A light, airy song that I didn't particularly care for.

6. Hallucinating Light: A song that grows on you. It has a slow, almost sad flow to it.

7. When an Old Cricketeer Leaves the Crease: This is one of Roy's favorite songs. A ballad that is a tribute to the "yons of yesterday". The Grimethorpe Colliery Band aids some period flavor.

The three extra tracks are a live version of "When an Old Cricketeer", and two outtakes of other songs on this disk. Add-ins really.The accompanying booklet has copious commentary by Roy, pictures, and lyrics.

This album was recorded when Roy was at his zenith commercially speaking. It shines with his idiosincratic style and lyrical grace, and he still filled one side of the album(I first bought this on vinyl) with his obligatory many layered single track. I was lucky enough to see him touring this album and can still remember the evening at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. The Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band add depth and emotion to When an old Cricketer.. a song that can make you feel like you are at peace with the world and not having to constantly battle against it. You might have guessed that I like Roy and all his music! If you like HQ then I would strongly recommend that you try to get hold of "Bullinamingvase"

this cd is just o.k. the game is the best song on it. roy harper was a great guitar player. but the game was the only song i knew on this cd. it is a great rock song with roy showing his guitar abilities off. the other songs on it are just average.

Although not typical, this may be Harper's best effort ever. With the help of a few big names around this time, Roy produced an album of extremely focused and well executed material. The lead off track, The Game, as well as When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease will leave an impression on anyone who hears it.