In Case You Missed It: Barclay James Harvest Revisited “Once Again”
Some four decades ago, Barclay James Harvest delivered one of their first great albums, and a towering achievement in the prog-rock genre. This past winter, EMI reissued the record in a manner quite befitting of its classic status.Once Again was the band’s second album for Harvest Records, put out three years into their tenure with EMI. With notable tracks like “Song for Dying,” “Galadriel” and “Mocking Bird” (the latter of which remains one of the band’s most iconic songs), and the backing of a full orchestra under the guidance of Robert John Godfrey, Once Again earned a place in the hearts of prog enthusiasts everywhere, named by Q as one of the 40 best albums of the genre. (And a bonus fun fact: the final track on the album, “Lady Loves,” features jaw harp work courtesy of Alan Parsons!)
The album was remastered and expanded in 2002, adding two previously unreleased bonus tracks as well as some alternate mixes as heard on the original quadrophonic pressing of the album. This new edition further expands on both ends of that original bonus content. The CD features the original LP as originally remastered in 2002, the two bonus tracks from the last expansion and five more unreleased versions of tracks on the album, including several unedited and unorchestrated versions. The package adds a DVD that recreates the original LP in both its original stereo mix, a new surround mix in DTS 96/24 or Dolby Digital and that vintage quadrophonic mix.
All in all, it’s one heck of a package, and it’s yours to order here. Thanks to Jason for tipping us off on this one! The full track rundown is after the jump.
Barclay James Harvest, Once Again: 40th Anniversary Edition (EMI CDSHVLX 788, 2011)
Disc 1: Expanded LP
- She Said
- Happy Old World
- Song for Dying
- Galadriel
- Mocking Bird
- Vanessa Simmons
- Ball and Chain
- Lady Loves
- Mocking Bird (May 1970 Version)
- Introduction – White Sails (A Seascape)
- Too Much on Your Plate
- Galadriel (Non-Orchestral Version)
- Happy Old World (Take 1)
- Song for Dying (Full Unedited Version)
- Mocking Bird (Extended Non-Orchestral Version)
Disc 1, Tracks 1-8 released as Harvest LP SHVL 788 (U.K.), 1971
Disc 1, Tracks 9 and 12-15 previously unreleased
Disc 1, Tracks 10-11 from expanded edition (Harvest 07243 538406 2 4, 2002)
Disc 2: DVD featuring original LP in original analogue stereo, surround sound (DTS 96/24 and Dolby Digital) and original quadrophonic mix (Harvest QHVL-1015)
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It’s always great to see another quad mix restored to catalogue. Especially given the very dedicated group of surround enthusiasts, I’m surprised this release hasn’t gotten more press by now!
Great to see this re-released bt it’s too bad they have limited the surround on the DVD to dts and DD.
Is the stereo on the DVD also DTS/DD or can we hope for higher resolution LPCM?
DVD contains:
– 96kHz/24bit PCM stereo of the original stereo master
– 96kHz/24bit PCM stereo of the original quadraphonic SQ stereo remastered
– DTS 96kHz/24bit and Dolby Digital surround sound mixes
The stereo mix on the DVD(And a stereo rendering of the Quadraphonic mix) appear on the DVD as lossless PCM 96Khz,24-bit.
Excellent!
This is good news.
Thanks
Is this region 0? Will the high-res tracks play worldwide?
Yes, region zero with NTSC menus.
Fantastic! Amazon, here I come…
HUH!”
The quad mix is reproduced as stereo?
Bit of a let down, eh?
The Quad mix is presented as DTS surround. The 96Khz/24-bit lossless tracks offer the stereo version, AND a Quad to stereo fold-down.