XII [CD/DVD]

by Barclay James Harvest

Overview

Based very loosely around the motif of literary genres (science fiction, fantasy, classics, etc.), XII shows Barclay James Harvest following many other progressive bands in the late '70s with slicker production and simplified song structures. This attempt at the mainstream doesn't always succeed; the album begins inauspiciously with "Loving Is Easy," a generic rock track with embarrassing "shoot my love into you" lyrics. But the simple yet effective arrangement of the keyboard ballad, "Berlin," shows that the band is capable of stripping down their compositions without having to sink to the lowest common denominator. Still, most fans won't find much to love here, except perhaps for "In Search of England," which briefly resurrects Wolstenholme's epic keyboard-driven orchestration. [XII was released as a CD/DVD set in 2017.] ~ Paul Collins

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2017
Label:	Esoteric Recordings
UPC:	5013929466340
Rank:	94628

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Loving Is Easy [Original Stereo Mix]
2. Berlin [Original Stereo Mix]
3. A Tale of Two Sixties [Original Stereo Mix]
4. Turning in Circles [Original Stereo Mix]
5. Fact: The Closed Shop [Original Stereo Mix]
6. In Search of England [Original Stereo Mix]
7. Sip of Wine [Original Stereo Mix]
8. Harbour [Original Stereo Mix]
9. Nova Lepidoptera [Original Stereo Mix]
10. Giving It Up [Original Stereo Mix]
11. Fiction: The Streets of San Francisco [Original Stereo Mix]
12. Berlin [Single Version] [Original Stereo Mix]
13. Loving Is Easy [Single Version] [Original Stereo Mix]
14. Turning in Circles [First Mix]
15. Fact: The Closed Shop [First Mix]
16. Nova Lepidoptera [Ambient Instrumental Mix]

Disc 2

17. Loving Is Easy [New Stereo Mix]
18. Berlin [New Stereo Mix]
19. A Tale of Two Sixties [New Stereo Mix]
20. Turning in Circles [New Stereo Mix]
21. Fact: The Closed Shop [New Stereo Mix]
22. In Search of England [New Stereo Mix]
23. Sip of Wine [New Stereo Mix]
24. Harbour [New Stereo Mix]
25. Nova Lepidoptera [New Stereo Mix]
26. Giving It Up [New Stereo Mix]
27. Fiction: The Streets of San Fransisco [New Stereo Mix]
28. The Streets of San Fransisco [Alternate Version]

Disc 3

29. Loving Is Easy [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
30. Berlin [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
31. A Tale of Two Sixties [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
32. Turning in Circles [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
33. Fact the Closed Shop [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
34. In Search of England [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
35. Sip of Wine [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
36. Harbour [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
37. Nova Lepidoptera [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
38. Giving It Up [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
39. Fiction: The Streets of San Fransisco [New 5.1 Surround Mix]
40. The Streets of San Fransisco [Alternate Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barclay James Harvest   Primary Artist
Woolly Wolstenholme   Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Mellotron,Synthesizer,Hammond Synth,String Ensemble,Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Les Holroyd   Bass,Banjo,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Telecaster,Double Bass,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
John Lees   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Mel Pritchard   Drums
Melvyn Abrahams   Cabasa,Congas,Shaker,Timpani,Tom-Tom,Tambourine,Vibraphone,Glockenspiel,Drums (Snare),Temple Blocks,Tubular Bells
Jaymie Stuart Wolfe   Guitar (Electric)
Mike Timony   Cordovox
Stuart Wolstenholme   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Chris Nagle   Assistant
Woolly Wolstenholme   Composer
Barclay James Harvest   Producer
Les Holroyd   Composer
John Lees   Composer
Melvyn Abrahams   Mastering
Martin Lawrence   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Chris Clover   Artwork
Maldwin Tootil   Concept
Stuart Wolstenholme   Composer