Barclay James Harvest – Once Again (Deluxe Edition) (1971/2023) [High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray Disc]

Artist: Barclay James Harvest
Title: Once Again (Deluxe Edition)
Genre: Prog Rock, Symphonic Rock
Label: Esoteric Recordings
Release Date: 1971/2023
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Duration: 01:02:05+00:40:26+00:40:24
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 17000 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio #1: LPCM Audio English 4608 kbps 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio #2: DTS-HD Master Audio English 7830 kbps 5.1 / 96 kHz / 7830 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio #3: LPCM Audio English 13824 kbps 5.1 / 96 kHz / 13824 kbps / 24-bit
Size: 38.12 GB

Released in February 1971, Barclay James Harvest’s second album was recorded at Abbey Road studios and was produced by Norman Smith. Widely regarded as one of the band’s early masterpieces, ‘Once Again’, the album was critically acclaimed upon its release and featured the Barclay James Harvest symphony orchestra and eventually attained Gold disc status.

This new expanded edition features three CDs and an all-region Blu ray disc and comprises 44 tracks. The set features the original UK stereo mix remastered from the original master tapes and also includes stunning new 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W. Tayler, a new remaster of the 1972 SQ Quad mix of the album and a multi-channel version of the 1972 Quad mix.

In addition, there is also a rare live performance recorded for BBC Radio One’s John Peel in February 1971, and seven further rare bonus tracks, including an early version of ‘Mocking Bird’ and the full version of the unreleased piece ‘White Sails (A Seascape). The set also includes a lavishly illustrated booklet with a new essay Barclay James Harvest experts Keith and Monika Domone and a replica of a 1971 promotional poster.

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Barclay James Harvest – XII (1978/2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Barclay James Harvest - XII (1978/2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Barclay James Harvest – XII (1978/2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 57:03 minutes | 1,12 GB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Cherry Red Records/Esoteric Recordings

Esoteric Recordings are proud to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic gold selling 1978 album by BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, “XII”. Originally released in September 1978, the album was another big selling release for the band achieving Silver disc status in the UK and Gold in Germany. The album followed in the wake of “Gone to Earth” and saw BJH consolidate the success they had found in Germany and Europe.

The album struck a chord with the record buying public thanks to tracks such as ‘Berlin’, ‘In Search of England’, ‘Nova Lepidoptera’ and more, and its popularity continues to endure. It would be the last Barclay James Harvest album to feature Woolly Wolstenholme before his departure from the band in June 1979.

This Deluxe edition includes two CDs and a DVD, and features a new re-master of the original album mix, along with stunning brand new stereo and 5.1 surround mix of the album. The DVD (which is region free and NTSC) also includes 96 kHz / 24-bit stereo re-mixes and a 96 kHz / 24-bit re-master of the original album mix. In addition the set features five bonus tracks, including the rare single versions of ‘Loving is Easy’ and ‘Berlin’.

This expanded deluxe edition also includes a lavishly illustrated booklet that fully restores the original album artwork, a new essay and also includes a reproduction poster.
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Barclay James Harvest – Once Again (1971/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Barclay James Harvest - Once Again (1971/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Barclay James Harvest – Once Again (1971/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 40:29 minutes | 817 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Parlophone UK

Regarded as one of their strongest efforts, Once Again was released by Barclay James Harvest in 1971. The album was produced by Norman Smith.
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Barclay James Harvest – Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Barclay James Harvest - Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz] Download

Barclay James Harvest – Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 40:08 minutes | 841 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Esoteric Recordings

Esoteric Recordings are proud to announce the release of a newly re-mixed and re-mastered edition of the classic 1974 album. Originally released in June 1974, the album has now come to be regarded as one of the band’s finest.
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Barclay James Harvest – Gone To Earth (1977/2016) [DVD-Audio to fLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Barclay James Harvest – Gone To Earth (1977/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 40:13 minutes | 809 MB
DAD to Hi-Res FLAC – Source: DVD Audio| Front Cover | © Polydor | Esoteric Recordings
Recorded: March to June 1977, Strawberry Studios, Stockport

Gone To Earth is an album by the English rock group Barclay James Harvest released in 1977. It reached #30 in the UK charts, but in Germany it peaked at #10 and stayed for 197 weeks in the German album charts. As of 2011 it is ranked #6 on the list of longest running albums in the German album charts. Only the My Fair Lady soundtrack and albums by Simon & Garfunkel (Greatest Hits), The Beatles (1962-1966), Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here) and Andrea Berg (Best Of) spent more weeks in the charts. It was the band’s largest selling album, eventually selling more than a million copies worldwide.

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Barclay James Harvest – Time Honoured Ghosts (1975) [Polydor/2383 361 – First UK Pressing] (24-Bit/96Khz + 16-Bit/44.1Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest – Time Honoured Ghosts
Label: Polydor/2383 361 | Release: 1975 | Genre: Progressive-Rock
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz

BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST released a number of fantastic recordings in the 70’s with “Time Honoured Ghosts” representing one of this music lovers favorites. At this point in their musical careers these guys were in full flight and recording some of the most beautiful soft progressive rock. John Lees and Les Holroyd were the dominant song writers and literally shared the penmanship and wrote some of the world’s most gorgeous melodies many of which are featured on this album. For those who are not familiar with BJH and those who love symphonic rock will love this band. BJH blend mellotron and organ whispers with acoustic and soaring electric guitar leads all put to the backdrop of complimentary bass and percussion. Like many of the BJH albums, “Time Honoured Ghosts” captures that special musical melancholy feeling.

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Barclay James Harvest – Barclay James Harvest And Other Short Stories (1972) [Sire/SI 5904 – First US Pressing] (24-Bit/96Khz + 16-Bit/44.1Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest – Barclay James Harvest And Other Short Stories
Label: Sire/SI 5904 | Release: 1972 | Genre: Progressive-Rock
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz

The band’s growing confidence is apparent on this their third album. “Ursula”, “Medicine Man”, and “Someone there you know” all bear the hallmarks of a band at ease with itself, while developing its own hallmark sound. That sound is one of melodic prog with strong vocals and symphonic instrumentation. I hesitate to say it in view of BJH’s undeserved “Poor man’s Moody blues tag”, but the Moodies are a good reference point for those unfamiliar with the work of BJH.

The band are working as a coherent unit here, with a definite sense of purpose and direction, coupled with strong compositional skills. These skills are perhaps most apparent towards the end of the album where the orchestral majesty of the delicate “The Poet” merges into the bombastic “After the day” to form a terrific two part closing track. Only “Harry’s song” and “Blue John’s Blues” let the side down slightly, both being rather dull with weaker melodies. In all though, a highly accomplished album which displays an evolving maturity.

By the way, it is interesting to hear on the subsequent live album how the opening track “Medicine man” is transformed from a BJH standard, to a lengthy beat laden jam.
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Barclay James Harvest – Barclay James Harvest (1970) [Harvest/SHVL 770 – First UK Pressing] (24-Bit/96Khz + 16-Bit/44.1Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest – Barclay James Harvest
Label: Harvest/SHVL 770 | Release: 1970 | Genre: Progressive-Rock
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz

BJH had been around for a while before this their first album was released. Their previously unsuccessful singles had given little indication of the talent and sophistication which was to reveal itself over the coming years. Until recently, those singles (A&B sides) had only been available on budget label compilations such as “Early Morning onwards”. They are now however among no less than 13 bonus tracks on the remastered version of BJH (or “Their first album” as it is unnecessarily titled on the remastered version). These bonus tracks are worthwhile, but inevitably now sound dated.

As for the original album, it is often credited as being good but reflecting the fact that the band had yet to establish a clear direction for themselves. The diversity of the album is however in many ways what make it so endearing. Each side (of the original LP) starts with a straight ahead rock track. Both “Taking some time on” and “Good love child” are loud, abrasive songs, with a driving pace and a wall of sound. Other tracks range from the delightful, almost commercial, “The sun will never shine”, to the symphonic “Dark now my sky”. The latter has heavy orchestration, interrupted by a very soft vocal section. It is by far the longest track on the album, and was certainly a brave piece to include on a first album.

For me, the best track is “When the world was woken”, a beautiful, uplifting track, with soaring strings and a haunting melody. The subtle complexity of this track is not immediately apparent, but the structure is truly magnificent.

An excellent first album, with the promise of plenty more to come.
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Barclay James Harvest ‎– Everyone Is Everybody Else (1974) (24-Bit/96Khz + 16-Bit/44.1Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest ‎– Everyone Is Everybody Else (Featuring “For No One”)
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC | 24bit/96kHz & 16bit/44kHz
Label: Polydor / 2383 286 | UK Release: 1974| Genre: Progressive-Rock

About ‘Barclay James Harvest,’ I can safely say they’ve 2 works to the best progressive rock I have ever heard and are the following: I am presenting today ‘Everyone Is Everybody Else’ and the double live LP called ‘Barclay James Harvest – Live ‘, both published in 1974, a key date for me.
In ‘Everyone Is Everybody Else’, BJH debut on Polydor. I well remember how it got this LP in my hands, I went to a shop specializing in all rock’s types to buy the double LP “Live”. On that day the salesman LP awarded a gift, nothing less than ‘Everyone Is Everybody Else’! It was an excellent day and the music of this LP is round. Excellent arrangements, exquisite Mellotron use (which instrument, Lord). BJH without great voices achieve proper harmony with those features of the Beatles at times.
The songs left in 1st. rise to ‘For no one’, beautiful, I think here all his BJH’s genius. Another I like is ‘See me see you ‘,’ Negative Earth ‘,’ Paper wings’, also of course ‘Child of the universe’.
In fact, any big hits are three or four songs on this album.
Well, well! is the word.

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Barclay James Harvest ‎- Octoberon (1976) (German Pressing) (24-Bit/96Khz + 16-Bit/44.1Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest ‎– Octoberon
Vinyl | LOG | CUE | FLAC | Tags | Full LP Cover (1:1)
24bit/96kHz: 955mb – 16bit/44kHz: 280mb
Genre: Progressive-Rock | Label: Polydor / 2383 407 | German Pressing | Release: 1976

For me this album is fantastic, a summa of Barclay James Harvest kind of music. It opens with a classic with an optimistic note from the pen of Les Holroyd titled “The World Goes On”. This is the first use of the orchestra from Moonwater (1972). Other two Holroyd’s’ contributions are Believe In Me and Rock’n’Roll Star which is a beautiful live classic for the band, with an obvious reference to the Byrds “So You Wanna Be A Rock’n’Roll Star”. It was also compared to the Eagles “One Of These Nights”. John Lees’ pieces are all very good, expecially the explosive Polk Street Rag, inspired by the porno film Deep Throat, starring Linda Lovelace (Polk Street is in San Francisco’s red light district). The final song Suicide? is simply one of the best songs for John Lees. This beautiful ballad, in predominant acoustic guitar, ends with sounds effect of the death of the character of the songs, falling from the top of a building. The question, marked in the titled, underline the central point: did he jump or was he pushed?. Stuart “Wooly” Wolsteholme composition is the epic of ancient Egypt “Ra” wich demonstrates the high synphonic ideas of this great composer.
Octoberon (only n.19 in the U.K. charts) is a title that combine the fact that is the eight album for Barclay James Harvest and the shakespearen character Oberon.
I highly recommend this pearl to all the people who love melodic/symphonic/prog.
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Barclay James Harvest – Live Tapes (1978) (Double LP German Pressing) (24-Bit/96Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest ‎– Live Tapes
Vinyl | LOG | CUE | FLAC | Tags | Full LP Cover (1:1)
24bit/96kHz: 1.67gb
Genre: Progressive-Rock | Label: Polydor ‎/ 2679 054 | German Pressing | Release: 1978

This originally 2-LP is my introduction to Barclay James Harvest. I was searching for progrock in a record store and my eyes felt on the inner sleeve of that 2-LP.
I read Woolly Wolstenholme: Hammond C3 organ (including 2 Leslie boxes), Mellotron Mk3 and MK4, ARP Pro Solist synthesizer, ARP String-ensemble and Minimoog. In my opinion this wide range of vintage keyboards would contribute to a wonderful progrock sound without any doubt .. and it did! The sound of BJH is almost beyond the complex and varied sound from ELP, Genesis, Pink Floyd and King Crimson. It also has been nailed as a blatant ripp-off from The Moody Blues. Nonetheless, this band evokes so much progrock pleasure with their warm and melodic sound on this 2-CD. It contains simple but very melodic, harmonic and pleasant compositions, layered with wonderful Mellotron, sensitive, often slightly distored electric guitar, a decent rhythm-section and warm vocals. Highlights are “Child of the universe” (this could have been an UNICEF anthem!) featuring wonderful piano, Mellotron and moving guitar, “Mockingbird” (beautiful twanging guitar and then bombastic Mellotron), the emotional “Suicide” (great compelling atmosphere) and “For no one” (moving blend of fiery, distorted electric guitar, violin- and choir-Mellotron and dramatic vocals).
If I compare this one to my “BJH Live” review (five stars), I award “Live tapes” with four stars because some tracks sound a bit too polished (like “Rock ‘n’ roll star”, “Hard hearted woman” and “Polk street rag”).

BUT STILL THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERY TRON- MANIAC IN THIS GALAXY!!

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Barclay James Harvest ‎- Live (1974) (Double LP) (24-Bit/96Khz) (Vinyl Rip)

Barclay James Harvest ‎– Live
Vinyl | LOG | CUE | FLAC | Tags | Full LP Cover (1:1)
24bit/96kHz: 1.62gb
Genre: Progressive-Rock | Label: Polydor / 2679 034 | German Pressing | Release: 1974

This live from “Barclay James Harvest” (BJH) is a cornerstone in regard to progressive rock, all songs it are a little masterpieces.
At one time I said that the BJH not possess great voices, but they manage to get out of the inertia thanks to its beautiful compositions and vocal arrangements. Many songs presented here are in their best album (in my opinion) “Everyone is everybody else”. Here the instrument looks is the Mellotron, giving the feeling of string orchestra.
Songs that advise hear:
-Galadriel (what a beautiful ballad!)
-For no one
-Negative Earth
-Paper Wings
-The Great 1974 Mining Disaster

I call it a masterpiece of progressive rock.

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