Lifemask - ROY HARPER***

Highway Blues/All Ireland/Little Lady/Bank Of The Dead/South Africa/The Lord's Prayer

Lifemask from folk artist Roy Harper encompasses a variety of different styles, featuring the use of the then novel synthesizer, backing from Jimmy Page, and some tracks written for a movie.

“After Stormcock, Harper moves a bit closer to alternative rock music - electronic effects, electric guitars, overdubbed vocals, a pinch of synthesizer. But it's still idiosyncratic and hard to tag, that's part of the fun, it's fresh, original and unconsumed. This is a good choice when I need a change of mood.”

“I would have to rate it a few points below its more famous descendent because of the rambling second side and less cohesion in general. There was also more sensitivity in the arrangements as well, but I can't fault him for wanting to experiment with synths, etc.”

“Highway Blues is an excellent opener, with music and lyric reeling together in movement and curiosity. Bank Of The Dead is a furious rocker with Jimmy Page on lead, and lyrics railing against image with no substance. South Africa is a gorgeous ballad about a place Roy had never visited and with which he equates with loves and times lost and yet to come.”

“This is a strangely introspective album. Side one includes tracks written for the film Made, in which Harper played a rock star. It's a mixed bag, starting with the biting pile-driver Highway Blues and progressing to the startlingly lyrical South Africa. But this is just a curtain-raiser for The Lord's Prayer, an astonishing magnum opus that manages to encompass the entire human condition in its 25 minute journey. On the way we're treated to some of Harper's most spine-tingling soaring vocals, backed by inspired lead guitar from Jimmy Page. The lyrics are an exceptionally brave approach to the description of mankind and its uniqueness.”

“Although it is technically folk music this album transcends boundaries. I recall it as being like a new state of consciousness.”

“Roy Harper was the quintessential English singer-songwriter, sadly maligned and misunderstood simply because he wouldn't play record company games to further his musical career.”