Track Listing

1. Forbidden Fruit
2. Male Chauvinist Pig Blues
3. I'll See You Again
4. Twelve Hours Of Sunset
5. Acapulco Gold
6. Commune
7. Magic Woman
8. Che
9. North Country
10. Forever
11. Home (Studio)
12. Too Many Movies
13. Home

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46214 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-03
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Valentine, released on that day in 1974, is a collection of tracks that Roy Harper recorded during the early '70s but did not include on either Stormcock or Lifemask. The fact that this album somehow gels is testimony to just how talented Harper was at this point in his career. All Harper albums have stellar cameos, and this one is no different. Jimmy Page adds devastating lead guitar to "Male Chauvinist Pig Blues," even though the acoustic version the duo released on Flashes From the Archives of Oblivion is still superior. In addition, David Bedford continues his streak of outstanding string arrangements on Harper albums with particularly winning versions for "I'll See You Again" and "Commune." The instrumental "Che" is a reminder of Harper's astounding and influential acoustic guitar technique, while "Twelve Hours of Sunset" rivals "Waterloo Sunset" as one of most beautiful songs in the English language. Like most Harper releases, this one has a few weak songs! , especially the jazz throwaway "Acapulco Gold," but even the extra tracks from Flashes From the Archives of Oblivion, included on the CD reissues, seem to fit in. While not as high-profile as Stormcock or HQ, Valentine can be numbered among Harper's best work during his heydey.

Customer Reviews

Straight to the heart- the greatness of Valentine
this is one special album! the songs- particularly the opening ones- manage to be both deepy tender yet striking at the same time.

Roy Harper has a unique voice and i believe this album will appeal to anyone. However, if you do like the emotion that pervades such classics as Bob Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks' or Van Morrison's 'Astral Weeks', then this cd is certainly for you!

but this wonderful album and i defy you to not be wooed by the musical charms of 'Valentine'!

Lovely
This album has some beautiful music on it, buy it if you like acoustic guitar/ 'folk rock' type stuff, but don't be dissuaded by my pigeon-holing of Roy's sound. The music on here will stand on its own. A very special artist from England. It's not surprising that the reviews of his material on this site are so good.

Beautiflu: sweet music
This album is so sweet, it's not possible to do justice to here. Please at least listen to some of the tracks here. Taking Dylan, Beefheart, acoustic Zeppelin, trad. British folk and blending them into an album of tenderness, bitterness, hope and beauty.