Roy Harper reissue features Paul and Linda (5/19/01) A press release we received:

THE RIGHT STUFF TO RELEASE ROY HARPER'S "HATS OFF"

FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS: PAUL & LINDA MCCARTNEY, JIMMY PAGE & JOHN PAUL JONES (LED ZEPPELIN), DAVID GILMOUR (PINK FLOYD), KEITH MOON (THE WHO), IAN ANDERSON (JETHRO TULL), BILL BRUFORD (YES, KING CRIMSON), ALVIN LEE (TEN YEARS AFTER), RONNIE LANE (FACES), KATE BUSH, AND THE DAVID BEDFORD ORCHESTRA

WOODLAND HILLS, CA - May 18, 2001 - The Right Stuff, distributed by EMI Music Distribution, will release Roy Harper's HATS OFF on June 19, 2001. This collection, with selections from amongst Roy's entire career, features some of the greatest legends and Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame members of all time. Roy Harper's career as singer/songwriter/guitarist/poet dates back to 1966 and includes over 32 albums. He is best known for vocals on Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar" ("Wish You Were Here"), and as the influence for Led Zeppelin's "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper" ("Led Zeppelin III"). Having recorded, written, and inspired many of his more famous peers, he is considered the "musician's musician." His music shows a dexterous embrace of style ranging from psychedelic folk to blues, rock, and orchestral arrangements, coupled with his deep-rooted philosophies on love, death, politics, and religion. He is compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Nick Drake.

Born in Manchester, England in 1941, Harper has led a colorful life that sparked his creative muse: running away to join the Royal Air Force at 15, feigning insanity to earn a discharge, drifting in and out of mental institutions, and jail. After forming a skiffle band with his brothers, Harper later opted for a solo career. He released his debut album "The Sophisticated Beggar," in 1966. He has also released such noteworthy projects as "Flat, Baroque and Berserk" and "Stormcock."

HATS OFF is a 14-track set featuring a mix of Roy Harper's solo work and all-star collaborations. The all-star appearances start on track three with Alan Parsons (Dark Side Of The Moon) as engineer for "Me And My Woman." The next track, "Male Chauvinist Pig Blues," features Jimmy Page (guitar), Keith Moon (drums), and Ronnie Lane (bass). Jimmy Page appears again on "Highway Blues," "1948ish," and "Same Old Rock." "You" includes Kate Bush (vocals) and David Gilmour (lead guitar). The all-star set takes a breather to reveal equally incredible solo performances by Roy Harper, including the live version of "Another Day" (w/David Bedford Orchestra), "Don't You Grieve," and "Ten Years Ago."

To close out the last three tracks, Roy is again joined by some of the finest in the business. "These Fifty Years" features Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull on flute. Paul & Linda McCartney join Roy on vocals with Alvin Lee (guitar) and Ronnie Lane (bass). The set finishes with a grand finale of all-stars. "The Game" includes David Gilmour (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass), Bill Bruford (drums), and world-renown sessionist Chris Spedding (guitar). A talent in his own right, son Nick Harper appears on "Death Or Glory?" and "These Fifty Years."

In the CD's 29-page booklet, Roy Harper provides track by track commentary, reflecting on the story behind each tune. The package also includes photos of these legends performing with Roy. All tracks are digitally remastered.

Executive Producer and A&R Producer, Dennis Argenzia says of Harper "[h]e's a proud, humble artist and perhaps that's why he's not as well known in the States. But people need to hear his music and get to know what other musicians have known for a long time."

ROY HARPER HATS OFF TRACK LISTING:

Death Or Glory?
Commune
Me And My Woman (engineer Alan Parsons)
Male Chauvinist Pig Blues (w/Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, & Ronnie Lane)
Highway Blues (w/Jimmy Page)
You (w/Kate Bush & David Gilmour)
1948ish (w/Jimmy Page)
Another Day (Live) (w/David Bedford Orchestra)
Don't You Grieve
Ten Years Ago
These Fifty Years (w/Ian Anderson)
One Of Those Days In England (Part 1) (w/Paul & Linda McCartney, Alvin Lee, & 
Ronnie Lane)
Same Old Rock (w/Jimmy Page)
The Game (w/David Gilmour, John Paul Jones, Bill Bruford, & Chris Spedding)

Street Date: June 19, 2001
Genre: Rock
Running Time: 71:59
Label: The Right Stuff
Format: CD
UPC Code: 72435-27640-2/0


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