Another interesting track from Folkjokeopus. The only time Roy has played a sitar. A bit influenced by the Incredible String Band.
Nick Harper – Magnificent G7 – lyrics about the crazy way we run this planet.
While a third of the world is indulging itself two thirds live on scraps.
There are mountains of grain and lakes of wine while children scrabble in the dust.
The power-brokers divvy up the spoils while the ones not at the table gather up the crumbs.
All around is war, mass migration, bitter enmity, fundamentalism, religious conflict and callous cruelty. Many are making a good profit off the spoils of war and the misery of people.
Nature is caught in between and slaughtered, ripped, destroyed.
It would not seem to me to be beyond the wit of man to devise a system that would work better for everyone, would it?
Nick summed up a lot of this in this song about the seven (sometimes eight) decision makers. He compared them to the old Bronson/Brynner classic the Magnificent Seven. But will this bunch wade in to put things right? They hold the future of nations in their hands. There is much shame!
The Magnificent G7
Poor men can hope but there’s not much time You have the power to banish the poverty
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations
Break them some bread for their children Who are their dreams who are their future
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations
Mountains of money Mountains of grain Mountains between you Mountains of shame
Holding their fate You’re living in a movie But you are only seven men Really only seven men You are only seven men they are nations
Nick Harper – Photos required for book. Donations welcome!
I am presently working on a book with Nick. We aim to put it out as a companion to a three album vinyl ‘Best of’ set that should be out early next year.
I have now completed a first draft of the book and am looking for some more photos to add. If you have a couple of nice photos and would like to see them featured in the book please contact me through the blog.
Cheers – Opher
Nick Harper – Gig at the Back Room Cottingham – A small intimate venue! It’s going to be great!!
Friday 13th March – a week today!! The fabulous Nick Harper will pluck, twang, bend and trill. It will, as usual be a marvel for all to behold!!
Be there or be square!
Men abed will hold their manhood cheap if they were to miss this breach!!
What sound from yonder Back Room breaks? Tis evening and tis Nick!!!
The venue is tiny! The atmosphere will be amazing! The tickets are few and will be lijke gold dust.
I can’t wait!!!
James Varda – Opher’s World pays tribute to a genius.
James Varda erupted into oblivion in around 1988 and has largely been unheard of ever since, which is utterly bemusing. I first saw him as the support for Roy Harper, who was impressed enough with the angry young man to offer him a rare opportunity opening the show, and liked him from the first verse. He stood awkwardly and played his guitar with his head on one side looking shy. But his songs gave the lie to that. They were powerful and full of poetic imagery and passion. The songs rang and there was a hint of Dylan’s snarling tongue. His black clothes and attitude were redolent of that early polka-dot shirt and angry stance. He spat the words out. You don’t normally pay too much attention to the support act but James was riveting. He was tall, wiry with skin tight trousers and pointy shoes like an angry James Dean. Off-stage he was delightful, intelligent and interesting.
His first album Hunger confirmed the stature. Andy Ware at Awareness Records had done a good job transferring the stage power of those songs onto vinyl. There was strength to them. I revelled in it right from the start.
James promoted the album with numerous gigs and radio appearances. He was getting great reviews and media interest and was causing a bit of a stir. Yet despite all the recognition and accolades the album reputedly only sold five hundred copies leaving James at little disillusioned and consumed by self-doubt.
During the recording of his second album Awareness Records went bust. Andy offered the tapes to James who threw them away in a fit of picque and gave up.
James decided to call it a day. He dropped out of the business.
James resurfaced years later with the release of a couple of delightful albums. The style had changed. He was less aggressive and more wistful but the talent had not changed. They weren’t quite the force of his debut but their soft, melodic style was appealing.
The tour de force was the last album. James had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and it prompted him to pour out all his considerable artistic and emotional energy into one last cathartic gem.
It’s all there. Chance and Time is a masterpiece of poignant intensity that soars through the majesty of life. A suitable legacy if ever there was one. There was never been anything quite like it.
James has not yet been recognised as the major talent he is; but he will be.