Roy Harper – Stormcock (Harvest 1971)

I guess we all have some albums that we regard as absolutely perfect. Albums we cherish as much as life itself. Albums we know will stay with us forever. I have some of these myself, and ‘Stormcock’ by Roy Harper is certainly one of them. Many people regard this as his best album ever (and this guy has released *many* albums – many of them classics!), and that isn’t exactly hard to understand, as the songwriting is as perfect as it can get, the atmosphere totally absorbing and the lyrics pure poetry. Also, the production is just right, suiting his multifaceted folkprog style to perfection. The album opens with ‘Hors D’Oeuvres’ – a very melancholic song that shivers with poetic beauty, but at the same time resigned sadness. Lyrically speaking, it’s dense and shows a clear social consciousness from Mr. Harper (as is so often the case with him). Then comes the mighty ‘The Same Old Rock’ – with a certain guest musician called ‘Sir Flavius Mercurius’. This was no other than Jimmy Page, known for his work in a little obscure rock band called Led Zeppelin. Here he contributes with magical guitar work, but his solos in this total masterpiece is more subtle than what was usually the case in Led Zeppelin (that band was many things, but ‘subtle’ was not one of them – and I love Led Zeppelin). The song, or should I say composition, moves through several different sections, goes from rocking and psychedelic to deeply haunting and melancholic. This is striking, and very progressive, stuff! I love everything about it. The next song, ‘One Man Rock And Roll Band’, has a very fitting title, as that is exactly what Roy Harper was here. Pure apocalyptic folk this one, but also catchy in its own special way. And those vocals… truly a gifted and utterly unique vocalist. I love the way he sings just as much as his voice itself. But my personal favourite on the album, and probably my absolute favourite song by this unique artist, is the closing track ‘Me And My Woman’. I just love how it changes effortlessly between light and darkness, from hopefulness to utter despair. It takes a genius songwriter and musician to even come up with something like this. As a listener, you are taken on a journey, and you don’t necessarily want that journey to end. But of course it does. It’s however a perfect way to end a perfect album. ‘Stormcock’ is a desert island-album for me – no doubt about that. It’s not the most immediate album in this world, but Roy Harper isn’t the most immediate artist you’ll find either. Give it time though, and I’m sure this album will really grow on you – especially if you like progressive folk rock that is at the same time complex and wonderfully melodic.