The Stormcock Community

I don't normally announce blog and diary entries on the site front page but I feel I have to in this case. Roy has just published his essay "The Code in the Artwork" on his site. This is a long piece covering the concepts and motivations behind those four wonderful songs on 'Stormcock' and also the various clues and messages that exist in the album art. I am a little embarrassed to admit that most of this had completely passed me by, even on those pictures on the album sleeve that I used to stare at while listening to the (vinyl) LP. It might be the same for you as well.

I think that one of the points that comes out of reading it, and relistening to the album, is how so little has changed in all those years that have followed. We are still destroying ourselves and our planet; justice is still a luxury afforded to few, organised religion is still (and perhaps even more so) directly contributing to conflict and subjugation, not one day has passed without armed conflict somewhere on earth, and we still treat each other with ill will, pettiness and selfishness.

Some people might argue that music has no place, or power, to address such weighty matters and attempt to open our eyes. But I believe artists, be they poets, musicians, painters, or story tellers, have the ability and even the obligation to do this - to step away from the rockface, look around, perceive, and communicate. In 'Stormcock' Roy did this, and released it to the world in 1971. I can only imagine how he must feel to see the state we are all in so many years later.

The diary entry is at http://www.royharper.co.uk/shop/display_page.php?page=diary/entry23

Enjoy. I think a lot of us will be listening to Stormcock in the near future.