HQ (album)

HQ
Studio album by
Roy Harper
ReleasedJune 1975 (1975-06)
RecordedMarch 1975
StudioAbbey Road Studios, London
GenreFolk rock, progressive folk, folk baroque
Length40:41
LabelHarvest SHSP 4046
Chrysalis CHR 1105
Science Friction HUCD019
ProducerPeter Jenner
Roy Harper chronology
Valentine
(1974) 		HQ
(1975) 		Bullinamingvase
(1977)
Alternative cover
US album cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link

HQ is the eighth studio album by English folk/rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Roy Harper. It was first released in 1975 by Harvest Records. In the United States the album was released under the title When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease, which is also the name of the LP's most popularly known track.

History

Harper considered HQ to be "...probably the best record that I have made to date"[1] and "...a great album made at one of the best times of my life"[2] Originally the album was to be called Blood From a Stone, but it was changed to avoid unwanted comparisons with Dylan's Blood on the Tracks.[3]

Songs

"The Game" features David Gilmour and John Paul Jones, playing lead guitar and bass respectively.[4]

The "scribble lark" referred to in "Forget Me Not" is an old country name for the yellowhammer.[5]

"When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease", one of Harper's best-known songs, features the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, arranged by David Bedford.[6] The song is about cricket and references contemporary players Geoffrey Boycott and John Snow, to whom it is dedicated.[7][8]

Album cover

The album's artwork was created by Hipgnosis. Of the artwork Harper stated:[9]

In reply to walking on water I should just like to say that the album sleeve design for HQ was given completely to Hipgnosis. When they presented me with the finished product I laughed and ok'd it on the spot. The picture was taken by Po Powell on the Isle of Skye. I have still not been to the Isle of Skye.

Awards

In 1975, HQ was awarded Record of the Year in Portugal, and received a similar award in Finland.

2012 reissue

In 2012 the album was digitally remixed and re-released in a 24-page case bound booklet with new pictures, prose, poetry and a new sleeve design.

Track listing

All tracks credited to Roy Harper.

Side One
No.TitleLength
1."The Game (Parts 1–5)"13:42
2."The Spirit Lives"4:14
3."Grown Ups Are Just Silly Children"2:55
Side Two
No.TitleLength
4."Referendum (Legend)"3:49
5."Forget Me Not"2:24
6."Hallucinating Light"6:24
7."When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease"7:13
1995 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
8."The Spirit Lives" (Early Mix, 23 March 1975) 
9."When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease" (Live in Exeter, 31 October 1977) 
10."Hallucinating Light" (7" single version) 

Personnel

Additional Personnel

References

  1. ^ Roy Harper Official Site[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Roy Harper Official Site". Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Hats off to Harper". Dave Burnham. August 1994. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  4. ^ Miles, Barry; Mabbett, Andy (1994). Pink Floyd the visual documentary (Updated ed.). London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-4109-2.
  5. ^ "The Scribble Lark". Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. ^ Terrace, Ted (20 July 2012). "When an old cricketer leaves the crease, by Roy Harper. Best cricket song ever?". Yes No Wait. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  7. ^ Stephen Brenkley (7 July 1996). "Dotty about ditties in the dot-ball game: Cricket Diary; One-man stand". The Independent. London. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  8. ^ Derek Pringle (19 May 2003). "A slap in the face for young shavers". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  9. ^ Roy Harper Fan Site Discography