Exciting times for ROY
HARPER. His first album in 13 years, Man And Myth, was
released this week to universal acclaim, receiving 4 and 5 star reviews
heralding it as being amongst his finest work (press quotes below). In other
news, Roy is the subject of an exclusive documentary film at 9pm on Sky Arts
tonight. Shot mainly at his home in the Irish countryside near Cork, the
film traces his intriguing career as he records the material for 'Man And
Myth'. Examining the work that made him famous, respected and much loved, the
film includes special interviews with fellow legendary musicians Jimmy
Page, Robert Plant and Johnny Marr.
Roy Harper will be
playing the below UK shows next month:
Tuesday 22 October –
LONDON – Royal Festival Hall (£27.50
- £40)
Friday 25 October –
MANCHESTER – Bridgewater Hall (£27.50
- £40)
Sunday 27 October –
BRISTOL – Colston Hall (£27.50
- £40)
Critical acclaim for Man
And Myth, released this week on Bella Union:
“Harper's first album in
13 years is a magnificent, ambitious rejuvenation.”
Uncut - 9/10 (Album of
the Month)
“Harper clearly isn’t
subscribing to the notion that the passage of time steals musicians’ gifts and
buries their mojo… He borders upon the supernatural… Still got it, Roy”.
Record Collector – 5
Stars *****
“The most erudite of
songsmiths… Man and Myth is effortlessly tuneful, and swathed in allusions
to Greek mythology. This is classic Harper”.
Q – 4 Stars ****
“A poetic, typically
untethered set wherein bouzouki pecks and mellotron complement Roy’s latest
voyage into open-tuning land.”
MOJO – 4 Stars ****
“Restless, melodic and
endlessly absorbing, 'Man & Myth' is the sound of an artist at the peak of
his powers”.
Sunday Express – 5 Stars
***** (Album of the Week)
“Roy Harper is on bravely impressive form. His distinctively
acrobatic singing and his guitar work are powerfully confident, and several new
songs compare well to his classic work from the 1970s… He's still unique.”
The
Guardian – 4 Stars ****
“Roy Harper's first
album in 13 years is an absolute corker on which he runs the gamut from cutting
protest songs and sweet balladry to mystical folk odysseys”
The Observer – 4 Stars
****
“This fabulous
collection proves that Harper’s creative flame burns brightly still... With
contributions from Pete Townsend and Jonathan Wilson, the album thrives on
poetic expression, winning melodies and neat guitar flourishes.”
The Sun – 4.5/5 *****
“Harper has lost none of
his political fire… An album that re-establishes Harper as folk music’s
ultimate enigma.”
Evening Standard – 4
Stars ****
“Harper commendably
continues to bring idiosyncrasy, passion, literacy and an intense, grandiose
atmosphere… This album is loaded with old gold. Hats off.”
Classic Rock – 8/10
“Roy Harper returns with
his best album in decades, confirming that, in his seventies, Harper’s maverick
character, poetic sensibility and singing remain undimmed and focused”.
The independent – 4
Stars ****
“These levels of candour
and grandeur are rarely witnessed.”
Prog
Man And Myth is incontrovertible proof to everyone of
Roy Harper’s persisting brilliance, with many hallmarks of what has singled him
out since his first album 47 heady years ago. For the full backstory / bio
visit Roy’s official website http://www.royharper.co.uk