Their self-titled debut album featured backing by an orchestra organized by Robert John Godfrey. It was released in mid-1970 and was heavily touted by the musicians and the record label as the next big thing in orchestral rock, but met with overwhelmingly negative reviews and weak sales. Their second album, Once Again, was followed by a tour with a full orchestra under Godfrey's guidance. Godfrey departed over writing issues behind "Mocking Bird" – one of the group's most consistently popular tracks - so Martyn Ford was brought in to supervise the orchestral work for their third album, Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories. Years later Godfrey filed a lawsuit alleging he was owed composing credits and corresponding royalties on several of Barclay James Harvest's songs. By the release of their fourth album, Baby James Harvest, in 1972, the pressures of touring were beginning to affect the band.
After this album, they departed from EMI, moved management to Harvey Lisberg, and signed to Polydor; the move immediately resulting in greater sales. The next album, Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974) was voted 13th by listeners in Radio Caroline's 1977 Top 100 All Time Albums Chart. The band did a BBC Radio 1 session in 1974 for John Peel; Alan Freeman, however, would be the band's main champion on the station in the 1970s and again when he returned from 1989 to 1993. The double live album, Barclay James Harvest Live, which followed in late 1974, was the first to chart in the UK, reaching No. 40. Time Honoured Ghosts (1975), which has "Titles", recorded in the US, followed, and this too charted in the UK, reaching No. 32. Octoberon followed in 1976 and reached number 19 in the UK. They broke into the mainstream mainland European market with their 1977 set Gone to Earth, which contained the song "Poor Man's Moody Blues", a homage to the Moody Blues' song, "Nights in White Satin."
Wolstenholme – whose mellotron playing was a trademark of the band's sound in the 1970s – left in 1979 after the album XII (1978), as he began to suffer from clinical depression. He pursued a short solo career fronting the band Maestoso, before retiring from the music industry to farm. He remained inactive throughout the 80s before rejoining John Lees when BJH essentially split in two.
The remaining three members continued. In August 1980, they played a free concert in front of the Reichstag in West Berlin, with an estimated attendance of 250,000 people. They were the first Western rock band to perform in an open-air concert in East Germany (over two years before the Berlin Wall fell), playing in Treptower Park, East Berlin on 14 July 1987 to a 170,000-plus audience.
The band continued as a trio with regular guest-musicians until 1998. One album, Welcome to the Show, produced in 1990, was released under the abbreviated name BJH. However, because of criticism from fans, the full name was restored, albeit with the inclusion of the BJH moniker.
In 1998, musical differences amongst members of BJH saw the band essentially split into two different groups, each of which retained "Barclay James Harvest" as part of its name. John Lees released an album mixing new songs and classics of the band, entitled Nexus, under the name "Barclay James Harvest Through the Eyes of John Lees". Woolly Wolstenholme played in (and composed for) this band, subsequently resurrecting Maestoso to record and tour with new material, as well as back-catalogue favourites. Les Holroyd and Mel Pritchard teamed up to record under the name "Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd". In 2006/7, Lees and Wolstenholme toured under the slightly modified band title "John Lees' Barclay James Harvest".
Mel Pritchard died suddenly of a heart attack in early 2004. Woolly Wolstenholme took his own life in December 2010, having apparently struggled with depression for many years. The two derivatives of Barclay James Harvest continue to record and tour to this day, and enjoy ongoing popularity, particularly in Germany, France, and Switzerland.
John Lees' Barclay James Harvest (since 1998)
This derivative of Barclay James Harvest features John Lees, bassist Craig Fletcher, drummer Kevin Whitehead and keyboard player Jez Smith. The band originally featured "Woolly" Stuart Wolstenholme on keyboards before his death in December 2010. The group formed in 1999 to record the album "Nexus". Craig Fletcher and Kevin Whitehead were from Wolstenholme's band "Maestoso", and John and Woolly were members of the original Barclay James Harvest. The band toured in the UK and Europe in 2006, and recorded the live album "Legacy" at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London. Since then, the band has played at venues in the UK, but more so in the rest of Europe, where they achieve good success. The band toured again around the UK in 2009. They played at the Berlin Wall anniversary festival at the Brandenburg Gate, Bad Homburg in Germany with JLBJH's best attendance of 17,500 people, and more recently in Porto, Portugal with an attendance of 5,000. The band recently visited America, and played in Philadelphia. John Lees' Barclay James Harvest is currently signed and managed by Esoteric Recordings. Mark Powell, founder of the label, works as the band manager. In October 2013 JLBJH released "North", a studio album of all-new material, recorded at John's own Friamere Studios, on limited edition vinyl, CD and deluxe CD with a bonus disc recorded live at the Buxton Opera House. "North" was very well received, going on to become Cherry Red's biggest selling album of the fourth quarter of 2013. The band played nine gigs on a UK tour to promote the album, followed by a live radio concert for Christmas on German station SWR1. The band also formerly featured Jeff Leach and Mike Bramwell as guest musicians.
Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd (since 2002)
In 2001, Les Holroyd and Mel Pritchard returned to the studio to record the album 'Revolution Days' along with former Sad Cafe members Ian Wilson and Michael Byron-Hehir, as well as Steve Butler, Steve Pigott (Cher, Mike and the Mechanics), and Rabbit Bundrick (The Who). 'Revolution Days' was released in 2002, and a touring band was put together with Holroyd and Pritchard; Michael Byron-Hehir on lead guitar and vocals; Ian Wilson on guitar and vocals; Steve Butler on keyboards, percussion, and vocals; Chris Jago on drums; and former BJH sideman Colin Browne on keyboards and vocals. The first show was at the Colmar Wine Festival in August 2002. In October and November of that year, they undertook their first European Tour. More tours and festivals followed in 2003.
In January 2004, the band performed at the 'Art on Ice' spectacular at the Zurich Hallenstadion with Roger Hodgson, John Helliwell and Bob Siebenberg of Supertramp, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac. Upon returning to the UK, Mel Pritchard died from a suspected heart attack.
In January 2005, BJHFLH toured with Asia featuring John Payne as support, returning the favour on four UK shows in March of the same year. In 2006, they undertook the Classic Meets Rock Symphonic Barclay Tour with the 25-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. In July 2007, they toured the UK. Les Holroyd and Michael Byron-Hehir also worked on Alan Simon's Excalibur II album, Les joining the stage show in 2010. Les also performed in the live show of Simon's Anne de Bretagne. In 2011, Les joined the Rock Meets Classic Tour along with Ian Gillan, Lou Gramm, Dan McCafferty with The Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, performing four BJH songs: "Hymn", "Mockingbird", "Ring Of Changes", and "Life Is For Living".
Still touring Europe, the band introduced an acoustic spot into the set, showcasing their vocal harmonies with old favourites like "Poor Boy Blues", "Friend of Mine", and "Crazy City". They recorded their 2012 winter tour.
External works
The band released a single "Breathless"/"When the City Sleeps" under the pseudonym of "Bombadil" in 1972. "Breathless", an instrumental, was credited to "Terry Bull" (actually John Lees). The B side "When the City Sleeps" was credited to "Lester Forest" (actually Woolly Wolstenholme), who also played every instrument and sang. This obscure track made an appearance on the soundtrack of the 2007 series Life on Mars, although it was not featured on the CD release.
Members
Barclay James Harvest (1966–1998)
Les Holroyd – vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards (1966–1998)
John Lees – vocals, guitars (1966–1998)
Mel Pritchard – drums, percussion (1966–1998; died 2004)
Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme – vocals, mellotron, keyboards, guitars (1966–1979; died 2010)
John Lees' Barclay James Harvest
Current members
John Lees – vocals, guitars (1998–present)
Craig Fletcher – bass (1998–present)
Kevin Whitehead – drums, percussion (1998–present)
Jez Smith – keyboards (2009–present)
Former members
Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme – vocals, mellotron, keyboards, guitars (1998–2010)
Guest musicians
Jeff Leach – keyboards (1998–2006)
Mike Bramwell – keyboards (2006–2009)
John Joseph Lees – cornet (2006, 2009)
Liz Fitzpatrick – trumpet (2009)
Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd
Current members
Les Holroyd – vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards (2002–present)
Colin Browne – keyboards, guitars (2002–present)
Steve Butler – guitars, keyboards (2002–present)
Michael Byron-Hehir – lead guitars (2002–present)
Louie Palmer – drums, percussion (2011–present)
Former members
Mel Pritchard – drums, percussion (2002–2004)
Ian Wilson – guitars (2002–2009)
Chris Jago – drums, percussion (2002–2003, 2004–2005)
Roy Martin – drums, percussion (2003–2004, 2006–2007)
Paul Walsham – drums, percussion (2005–2006, 2007–2011)
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barclay_James_Harvest
Studio albums
Barclay James Harvest (1970)
Once Again (1971)
Barclay James Harvest and Other Short Stories (1971)
Baby James Harvest (1972)
Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974)
Time Honoured Ghosts (1975)
Octoberon (1976)
Gone to Earth (1977)
XII (1978)
Eyes of the Universe (1979)
Turn of the Tide (1981)
Ring of Changes (1983)
Victims of Circumstance (1984)
Face to Face (1987)
Welcome to the Show (1990)
Caught in the Light (1993)
River of Dreams (1997)
SUICIDE
Barclay James Harvest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You had gone with the sunrise, leaving tears in my eyes
I got up with a feeling of an emptiness inside
To the noise of the sidewalk and the silence of my mind
Well I walked out this morning, down a street with no name
To a club called "The Loser", like a dog that's gone lame
Took the club elevator to the floor with a view
I stepped out on the guard rail, saw the crowds slowly part
Heard a voice shouting "Don't jump, please for God's sake let me move my car!"
Felt a hand on my shoulder, heard a voice cry "Just in time!"
Felt the quick push, felt the air rush
Felt the sidewalk, fell in line
The song Suicide, by Barclay James Harvest, tells a story of a person who wakes up feeling empty and feeling the absence of someone dear. The individual decides to go to a club called "The Loser" and, after taking out a life subscription, steps out on the guard rail of a balcony. Despite the shouts and pleas of people, the individual jumps off and falls on the sidewalk. At first, it might seem like a story of suicide caused by depression and loss, but deeper analysis shows that it is also a critique of modern urban life.
The lyrics depict a person who is lost in a hectic and chaotic urban environment, surrounded by impersonal and uncaring people. The singer's decision to go to The Loser club, which is a place of despair, is symbolic of the hopelessness and desolation felt in a fast-paced and competitive society where success and happiness are measured by material possessions and social status. The singer's leap into the void, therefore, can be seen as a statement against the soulless and shallow values of modern society.
The song is a profound reflection on the alienation and disconnection that can arise in an urban environment. The lyrics show how even the most caring and well-intentioned people can fail to see the pain and suffering of those around them. The song's message is that we must pay more attention to the emotional wellbeing of those around us, especially in crowded and chaotic environments where it can be easy to get lost and overwhelmed.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up to a feeling, it was cold by my side
I experienced a feeling of loneliness and coldness when I woke up and you were not there beside me
You had gone with the sunrise, leaving tears in my eyes
You left early in the morning and your absence made me cry
I got up with a feeling of an emptiness inside
I woke up with a sense of emptiness and loneliness within me
To the noise of the sidewalk and the silence of my mind
The sounds of the street outside were louder than the silence in my mind
Well I walked out this morning, down a street with no name
I left my house and walked along a street without a name
To a club called "The Loser", like a dog that's gone lame
I went to a club with a name that suggests failure and inadequacy, feeling like a powerless and hopeless creature
Took the club elevator to the floor with a view
I took the elevator in the club to the highest floor where I could see the view outside
I took out life subscription - it's the only one they do
I decided to end my life by jumping off the building, bought a lifetime subscription to death because there is no other option available
I stepped out on the guard rail, saw the crowds slowly part
I stood on the edge of the building, looking down at the people below who were slowly moving away from me
Heard a voice shouting "Don't jump, please for God's sake let me move my car!"
Someone from the crowd shouted at me to stop and not to kill myself, as they needed to move their car first
Felt a hand on my shoulder, heard a voice cry "Just in time!"
Someone grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back from the brink of suicide, telling me that I was saved at the last minute
Felt the quick push, felt the air rush, Felt the sidewalk, fell in line
But then, I felt a sudden push that sent me over the edge, I felt the wind rushing past me, I fell towards the pavement and hit the ground, finally falling in line with death and despair
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOEL CADBURY, JAMES MCDONALD, BRETT SHAW, JAMES LAVELLE, RICHARD FILE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@felipemota6114
I woke up to a feeling, it was cold by my side
You had gone with the sunrise, leaving tears in my eyes
I got up with a feeling of an emptiness inside
To the noise of the sidewalk and the silence of my mind
Well i walked out this morning, down a street with no name
To a club called "the loser", like a dog that's gone lame
Took the club elevator to the floor with a view
I took out life subscription, it's the only one they do
I stepped out on the guard rail, saw the crowds slowly part
Heard a voice shouting "don't jump, please for god's sake let me move my car!"
Felt a hand on my shoulder, heard a voice cry "just in time!"
Felt the quick push, felt the air rush
Felt the sidewalk, fell in line
@delta1404
I woke up to a feeling, it was cold by my side
You had gone with the sunrise, leaving tears in my eyes
I got up with a feeling of an emptiness inside
To the noise of the sidewalk and the silence of my mind
Well I walked out this morning, down a street with no name
To a club called "The Loser", like a dog that's gone lame
Took the club elevator to the floor with a view
I took out life subscription - it's the only one they do
I stepped out on the guard rail, saw the crowds slowly part
Heard a voice shouting "Don't jump, please for God's sake let me move my car!"
Felt a hand on my shoulder, heard a voice cry "Just in time!"
Felt the quick push, felt the air rush
Felt the sidewalk, fell in line
@germanshepherd5314
Was in the record shop today, this album came in. The owner asked if I had ever heard this song, said I never listened to Barclay James Harvest before and he played this song. I was floored.
He puts the album in the rack and ten minutes later I say, "going to needle drop the rest of the album". It was at that moment I said, "holy $hit, how did this group fly pass my radar?". Needless to say I purchased this (and after needle dropping the album Time Honoured Ghosts and a British import of their best of of early stuff) I purchased the lot.
Damn, how come I have not heard any of their music earlier in my 48 years of existence.
@eddybamyasi
I think Octoberon is their best album
@chris.pbacon1679
time honoured ghosts is in my top 10 bro at least you discovered it
@germanshepherd5314
@@chris.pbacon1679 I say to people all the time, "you don't wait for good music. Good music waits for you."
Since I posted this comment I have added two other albums to my collection.
@KaitoNiikura
My stepfather was listening to this, and since english isn't my native language, he translated it for me. Well, I was in elementary school at this time, but I could neve forget this amazing song
@merlinambrosius4398
Yes. It is one of a handful of songs that can, quite literally, floor you. ❤
@raconteurtroubadour
My all time favourite track by this superb band. I’ve loved them for forty years. Was lucky enough to see John Lees Barclay James Harvest a couple of years ago, they did this one, I had tears streaming down my face, epic!!
@stephenwaters1242
Yeah it's a sad song, but so fantastic it doesn't make me sad, if that makes sense, one of the best from BJH, I am biased it's my favourite BJH album, a very underated band, who are never played on the radio, which I think is disgusting, but I don't care I love the band.
@johnnewson4640
Going back to Weeley in1971 playing at 3am with a 40 piece orchestra. Omg what a band, tragic how they weren't huge like the moodies. Won't happen i guess but how wonderful it would be for John and Les to get back together,and bring back the magic
@markwalker5723
Lucky, lucky...