Roy Harper

Roy Harper (born June 12, 1941), is a British singer-songwriter who specialises in uncompromising introspective lyrics and folk influenced compositions.

The Sixties

His first album, The Sophisticated Beggar, was recorded in 1966 after Harper was spotted at the Les Cousins club and signed to Peter Richard's Strike Records. It consisted of his sung poetry backed by acoustic guitar with a revox tape machine. CBS Records saw his potential and hired producer Shel Talmy to arrange Come out Fighting Genghis Smith, with the 11 minute blues track "Circle", marking a widening of Harper's audience away from pure folk. Its cover was controversial at the time, depicting a new born baby, complete with umbilical cord.

Related Topics:
1966 - Strike Records - CBS Records - Shel Talmy

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1969's Folkjokeopus virtually mirrored the previous album, with a 15 minute version of "McGooghan's Blues". Starting since May, 1968, Harper was making regular appearances at free concerts in London's Hyde Park attracting a cult following of fans from the underground music scene. Harper's first tour of the United States followed the release of the album Flat Baroque and Beserk in 1970 which featured The Nice on one track called "Hell's Angels". Its ethereal sound was achieved by a wah wah pedal attached to an acoustic guitar. Flat Baroque and Beserk also marked Harper's long yet confrontational association with Harvest Records.

Related Topics:
1969 - 1968 - London - Hyde Park - United States - 1970 - The Nice - Harvest Records

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