I've just been listening to Come Out Fighting which imo is one of the most tragically underrated LPs in the entire Harper catalogue. Listening to the title track, I've always been interested by the reference to the 1966 Aberfan disaster in which the British coal industry effectively murdered 116 children and 28 adults. Lord Robans of the NCB and the spineless Wilson government denied responsibility. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberfan Phil.
Very interesting, thanks Phil. And I agree, Ghengis Smith is a great album. It's the one that sounds the most "dated" out of all Roy's output, to me, but that puts it into a certain time in history with all the associations from that era, and I like that.
I love the album too, but I don't fully understand why it should sound more dated than any other, it doesn't to my ears. Having said that, I do think that it encapsulates a 'sound' and atmosphere more than any of Harpers earlier albums, which begs the question, is what I enjoy this album for, what others consider its datedness? 'In a beautiful Rambling Mess', 'All you need is', 'What you have', 'Highgate Cemetery', Circle, 'Come out fighting Ghengis Smith'... I enjoy them all. Good to know I'm not alone on this one. I know Roy hasn't spoke too highly of this record a times, but it's a 'grower'... just give it a few more years
One thing that's always puzzled me about this album is who is playing on it ? Was it just unknown CBS session people ? I've got the original LP and the Awareness CD and there's no information on either. As regards to the general sound, in some ways it sounds current. The likes of Fleet Foxes and Ray Lamontaigne are using similar arrangements and production using strings and brass. But I agree with Paul. Listening to it always takes me back to my childhood in black and white for some reason. It's a real charmer, even when Roy doesn't *quite* get the high notes in a few places. Phil.
Laurie Allan – additional musician Keith Mansfield – additional musician Bert Jansch – liner notes According to Wikipedia
Reminds me of the "joke" that went round our playground at the time: Q"What's black and slimy and goes to school?" A: "The Aberfan slagheap"
Just a cut and paste, I didn't know they linked anywhere tbh. But if you need help click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Come_Out_Fighting_Ghengis_Smith
the arrangements sound a bit dated to me and almost like they were tacked on to the songs with out too much thought, although i quite like them myself. i always get the feeling listening to it that whoever arranged Liverpool Lullaby by Cilla Black (which i love!) must have been roped in to write some nice pop arrangements to make it a bit more appealing but mainly succeeded in making it sound like forgettable 60s pop music (whereas the arrangements on stormcock, for example, still sound very fresh and integral to the songs). i really like some of the bonus tracks that were tacked on to the CD - especially Midspring Dithering.
