Thursday 26 September 2013

Roy Harper: album, dates and a documentary film (on tonight)


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 PageRobert 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 

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