Roy Harper – What is it about the old sod that is so precious?

Well anyone who knows Roy will know what a cantankerous person he can be. He seems to have upset quite a few people in the course of his long life; many of whom would have been extremely useful in helping him get on in his career.

Roy reminds me of my Mum. Not to look at you understand, but in some of his ways. She came from Lincolnshire stock and seemed to inherit the gene that prevents the brain filter working. What came into her head went out through her mouth unadulterated by thought.

She called it plain speaking. Some saw it as rudeness, over-blunt or plain foolhardy. At least you always knew where you stood with her.

Roy is not quite the same. He does deploy his intelligence at times. But there is the same tendency for him to speak his mind and say the things that other people hold back from venting.

It’s one of the reasons we love him. He not only is astute, intelligent, perceptive and distrustful of authority but he isn’t afraid to say it out loud and to hell with the consequences.

This means that A harper concert is often permeated with asides, insinuations, laughter, remarks, observations and a perspective and view on everything under the sun. It may be lavatorial, political, social or personal. If it comes into his mind it finds its way into speech.

Coupled with Roy’s intelligence, historical perspective and dislike of authority this often results in delicious diatribes about the delectations of the establishment and the faults with our society. He makes you think. He makes you laugh. He gives you hope.

He’s not really an idealist. He is a bit of an anarchist. He detests rules and regulations. But he is most definitely his own man and even when he’s wrong he’s interesting.

I like the bits between the songs as much as the songs!

Roy loves love. He wants an ideal life, with an ideal woman in a world that no longer exists. That’s not idealism. That’s fantasy.

I don’t believe this fabricated story about him. He’s not perfect by any means but he has limits.

Roy is not only an incredible musician, songwriter and poet; he is also a person that many people hold dear and someone who is a leading dissenter and commentator on the lamentable state of our society. His barbed commentary feeds our souls.

Let’s all hope that this ordeal is over soon and all goes well! I wish Roy and Tracy all the best!

We desperately need Roy. We’ve never needed him more – the irascible bastard!