Roy Harper’s Stormcock (1971) is generally regarded as a masterpiece of progressive folk.

A sprawling but focused suite of four lengthy tracks. The songs span an enormous spectrum of experience, from the frontline of social unrest to the secluded, birdsong-infested lanes of the English countryside. Stormcock resolutely and uncompromisingly creates its own world. 

The album features Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page on guitar. It also showcases David Bedford's orchestral arrangements.

The album's title, Stormcock, is an old English name for the Mistle Thrush. The male of this species "is most vocal in the early morning" and has a "tendency to sing after, and sometimes during, wet and windy weather" which "led to the old name "Stormcock”. It is also, perhaps, a metaphor for Harper himself.

By the time Stormcock was released, Harper was a counterculture icon – name-checked by Led Zeppelin on III in the song Hats Off to (Roy) Harper.

NME placed Stormcock at 377 in their list of "The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time". 



Roy Harper

Stormcock

1971

2007 Remaster

 

CD / 2007 / 320Kbps


Trackslist:

1. Hors d' Oeuvres

2. The Same Old Rock

3. One Man Rock And Roll Band

4. Me And My Woman


Personnel:

Roy Harper: vocals, guitar, piano, synthesizer

with

Jimmy Page: guitar

David Bedford: string arrangements, organ


Roy Harper, Stormcock, 1971