The Unknown Soldier (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = The Unknown Soldier
Type = Album
Artist = Roy Harper


Released = 1980
Recorded = England
Genre = Rock
Length =
Label = Harvest SHVL 820,
Science Friction HUCD031
Producer = Roy Harper, Peter Jenner
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:mpsyxdkbjol0 link]
Last album = "Bullinamingvase"
(1978)

This album = "The Unknown Soldier"
(1980)

Next album = "Work of Heart"
(1982)

Misc = Extra album cover
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Background = lightsteelblue


Lower caption = Cover for German (Electrola) release

"The Unknown Soldier" is a 1980 album by Roy Harper and was his last on EMI's Harvest Records label. [ [http://www.royharper.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=14 Roy Harper official site] ] .

History

The album was originally released on EMI's Harvest Records label (SHVL820) in 1980 (also Harvest ST6474 (CAN) and Electrola 1C06407259 (FRG)). In 1998 the album was reissued on Harpers Science Friction label (HUCD031).

Whilst duets are not commonplace on Roy Harper albums, Kate Bush accompanies Harper on the song "You" to great effect. The song "Short and Sweet" features David Gilmour on guitar and is also found on Gilmour's first solo album, David Gilmour. In fact, Gilmour plays guitar on most of the songs and co-wrote five of the album's ten songs, Harper providing the lyrics and Gilmour the music. [ [http://www.pinkfloyd-co.com/band/interviews/other/other85.html Interview] ] .

Originally, the songs "I'm In Love With You", "Ten Years Ago" and "The Flycatcher", were to be released on an earlier (1977) Harper album, "Commercial Breaks". However, a dispute between Harper and EMI meant "Commercial Breaks" was not released until 1994. These three songs were re-recorded for "The Unknown Soldier", and vary slightly from their original composition.

Track listing

"All tracks credited to Roy Harper except where indicated"

ide One

#"Playing Games" (Harper/Gilmour) – 3:12
#"I'm In Love With You" – 3:45
#"The Flycatcher" – 4:10
#"You" (The Game Part II) (Harper/Gilmour) – 4:37
#"Old Faces" (Harper/Gilmour) – 4:09

ide Two

#"Short and Sweet" (Harper/Gilmour) – 6:28
#"First Thing in the Morning" – 3:40
#"The Unknown Soldier" – 3:33
#"Ten Years Ago" – 3:35
#"True Story" (Harper/Gilmour) – 3:50

Personnel

*Roy Harper – vocals
*Kate Bush – vocals
*David Gilmour – guitar
*Andy Roberts – guitar
*Peter Jenner – producer
*Chris Briggs – assistant producer
*Stephen Galfas – assistant producer
*Haydn Bendall – sound engineer
*John Tropea – producer
*Jimmy Bain
*David Bedford
*Steve Broughton – guitar
*Hugh Burns – guitar
*B.J. Cole – steel guitar
*George Constantino
*Jim Cuomo
*Sal DiTroia – guitar
*Timmy Donald
*Don Grolnick – keyboards
*Neil Jason
*David Lawson – keyboards
*Will Lee
*Toni Levi
*Jimmy Maelen – percussion
*Andy Newmark – percussion
*Joe Partridge
*Sara Pozzo
*Dave Scance
*Pete Wingfield – keyboards

References

External links

* [http://www.royharper.com/ Roy Harper Official Site]
* [http://www.iki.fi/musicnaut/royharper.html Excellent Roy Harper resource]
* [http://www.mistlethrush.co.uk/stormcock/tracks2.htm Roy Harper fan site]
* [http://www.memorial-14-18.com/ Verdun Memorial Website]