Barclay James Harvest’s live album Live, released in 1974, is considered by many progressive rock fans to be one of the highlights of the band’s early years. Recorded at gigs in London and Liverpool, it captures the band at their most creative and mature.

The album acts almost as a reckoning of Barclay James Harvest’s “classic” era. It includes extended live performances of songs such as “Summer Soldier,” “Medicine Man,” “She Said,” and “Mockingbird,” giving the songs more room to breathe than their studio versions.

Unlike many live progressive rock albums of the 1970s, there are no endless solos or spectacular improvisational digressions here. The album’s strength lies in the atmosphere, melodies, and expressiveness of the compositions. John Lees’ guitars and the mellotron, along with Woolly Wolstenholme’s other keyboards, create a symphonic sound that is often reminiscent of the Moody Blues, but with a more intense progressive character.

The sound quality is very good for the time and the choice of material ideally represents the band’s early years. Many critics consider songs like “Medicine Man” and “After The Day” to have their definitive form here.

The album has:

• Excellent selection of songs from the band’s best period
• Rich symphonic prog-rock sound
• Strong performances without excessive display of virtuosity
• Ideal introduction to the “classic” sound of Barclay James Harvest

Live is one of the best live albums of symphonic progressive rock of the 70s and probably the most complete presentation of the first golden period of Barclay James Harvest. For those who love the melodic, lyrical and atmospheric aspects of British prog, it is almost a must-listen. Track “After The Day”.

From this excellent double live album I select the track “After The Day”.

 
Tracklist

A1. Summer Soldier 10:17
A2. Medicine Man 10:26

B1. Crazy City 4:59
B2. After The Day 7:28
B3. The Great 1974 Mining Disaster 6:30

C1. Galadriel 3:18
C2. Negative Earth 6:20
C3. She Said 8:34

D1. Paper Wings 4:19
D2. For No One 5:53
D3. Mockingbird 7:37