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Relativity

27th June, 2025

Relativity album artwork

We’re delighted to announce the forthcoming release of Relativity, the superb new album from John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest, which will be available from 17th October, 2025.

Several years in the making, the record is a 78-minute collection of songs loosely based upon the concept of human and cosmic interaction and relationships. Produced by the band and mixed by acclaimed engineer Stephen W Tayler (known for his work with Kate Bush, Rush, Howard Jones, Rupert Hine, Tina Turner and many more), Relativity is a true group effort by John Lees, Craig Fletcher, Jez Smith and Kevin Whitehead and draws upon the fine musical heritage of Barclay James Harvest whilst also being a body of music made for these current times.

Relativity will be available in three formats: a standard CD edition, a limited 3 disc boxed set, including a region free Blu-ray audio disc of Stephen W Tayler’s wonderful 5.1 Surround Sound mix of the album, plus an additional CD of highlights of a previously unreleased concert recorded at RosFest, Pennsylvania, USA in May 2009, featuring Woolly Wolstenholme, and a limited 2LP gatefold vinyl edition.

Tracklistings will be as follows:


Standard CD:

  1. Relativity Part 1 (Through the Dust)
  2. The Blood of Abraham
  3. Heard it All Before
  4. Magpie
  5. Love
  6. Peace Like a River
  7. Hour Glass
  8. Snake Oil
  9. The End of Days
  10. Picture World
  11. Relativity Part 2 (The Stars That Shine)

Gatefold double vinyl LP:

Side One:

  1. Relativity Part 1 (Through the Dust)
  2. The Blood of Abraham
 

Side Two:

  1. Heard it All Before
  2. Magpie
  3. Love
 

Side Three:

  1. Peace Like a River
  2. Hour Glass
  3. Snake Oil
 

Side Four:

  1. The End of Days
  2. Picture World
  3. Relativity Part 2 (The Stars That Shine)


Limited edition 3 Disc boxed set:

CD One:
Relativity

  1. Relativity Part 1 (Through the Dust)
  2. The Blood of Abraham
  3. Heard it All Before
  4. Magpie
  5. Love
  6. Peace Like a River
  7. Hour Glass
  8. Snake Oil
  9. The End of Days
  10. Picture World
  11. Relativity Part 2 (The Stars That Shine)
 

CD Two:
Live at RosFest, USA 2009

  1. Valhalla
  2. For No One
  3. The Great 1974 Mining Disaster
  4. Poor Wages
  5. The Iron Maiden
  6. Child of the Universe
  7. Poor Man’s Moody Blues
  8. Harbour
  9. Suicide
  10. Medicine Man
  11. In Search of England
  12. Mocking Bird
  13. The Poet / After the Day
 

Disc Three – Blu-ray:
Relativity 5.1 Surround sound mixes

  1. Relativity Part 1 (Through the Dust)
  2. The Blood of Abraham
  3. Heard it All Before
  4. Magpie
  5. Love
  6. Peace Like a River
  7. Hour Glass
  8. Snake Oil
  9. The End of Days
  10. Picture World
  11. Relativity Part 2 (The Stars That Shine)

Relativity will not initially be available to order through the BJH web site, since we are all of the view that the album stands a good chance of making the charts, and therefore we would ask fans to pre-order directly from Cherry Red Records, as all sales through them will be eligible for chart status. We will stock the CD and CD/BluRay editions once the album has been out for a few weeks.

The links to pre-order all formats of the album are:


Limited 3 disc box: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/john-lees-barclay-james-harvest-relativity-2cd-blu-ray-box-edition

2LP: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/john-lees-barclay-james-harvest-relativity-double-album-gatefold-sleeve-edition

Standard CD: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/john-lees-barclay-james-harvest-digipack-cd-edition


The album will be available throughout Europe via all on-line and physical retailers and pre-order links to retail partners in Germany, France, Benelux etc will be posted in the coming few weeks and in good time ahead of the release.


Relativity can now be pre-ordered in Germany in all formats from the following retail partners to avoid any customs charges:


JPC:         https://tinyurl.com/4hrwjhs3
 

Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/h5XgeXw



JLBJH Studio Album Update

3rd September, 2024

A big thanks to John for giving us a progress report on the forthcoming, brand new studio album from John Lees' Barclay James Harvest. Recording, at John's Friarmere studio, has taken a little longer than anticipated, partly due to other commitments such as rehearsals for the Huddersfield orchestral concerts, but also because the plan is now for an ambitious double album with a proggy, loose conceptual theme of 'time'.

These are the working titles of the songs already recorded:



We should emphasise that these are only working titles, and may well change before release, which is expected to be in 2025, when recording, overdubbing, mixing and artwork are complete. It's safe to say, though, that the album will feature real Mellotron, as Jez has been using Woolly's original M400, as seen and heard on the Philharmonic! live set. The album title has not been confirmed yet - we'll keep you informed as work progresses.



Huddersfield Live Orchestral Album on Pre-Order

26th April, 2024

John Lees' Barclay James Harvest with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra - Philharmonic! The Orchestral Concert box set

In the early 1970s Barclay James Harvest pioneered the fusion of rock and classical music, touring with their own symphony orchestra. On the 23rd September 2023, a stunning and unique concert took place which saw the first performance by any incarnation of Barclay James Harvest with a symphony orchestra to take place in UK since 1973. Joining JLBJH for this memorable concert was The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Benjamin Ellin.

The performance featured classic BJH songs such as ‘The Poet’, ‘After the Day’, 'Mocking Bird’, ‘She Said’, ‘Galadriel’, ‘Poor Man’s Moody Blues’ and ‘Hymn’, and newer pieces such as ‘On Leave’, along with two pieces not performed live since 1973, Woolly Wolstenholme’s evocative ‘Moonwater’ (sung by guest vocalist Eleanor Sandars) and the epic and majestic ‘Dark Now My Sky’.

‘PHILHARMONIC! THE ORCHESTRAL CONCERT’ has been mixed in both stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound by Stephen W Tayler and captures the entire concert on 2CDs, a region free High-Definition Blu Ray video with 5.1 Surround Sound and an NTSC / Region Free DVD of this stunning concert film of one of the most memorable concerts staged by any incarnation of Barclay James Harvest.


Tracklisting:

Disc One: CD

  1. Festive Overture - Shostakovich
  2. Fifties Child
  3. Galadriel
  4. In My Life
  5. Poor Man’s Moody Blues
  6. North
  7. Summer Soldier
  8. The Poet
  9. After the Day


Disc Two: CD
  1. Hornpipe – Handel’s Water Music
  2. Moonwater
  3. Mocking Bird
  4. Loving is Easy
  5. She Said
  6. Poor Wages
  7. Medicine Man
  8. Dark Now My Sky
  9. On Leave
  10. Hymn


Disc Three: BluRay
    PART ONE
  1. Festive Overture - Shostakovich
  2. Fifties Child
  3. Galadriel
  4. In My Life
  5. Poor Man’s Moody Blues
  6. North
  7. Summer Soldier
  8. The Poet
  9. After the Day


    10. PART TWO
  10. Hornpipe – Handel’s Water Music
  11. Moonwater
  12. Mocking Bird
  13. Loving is Easy
  14. She Said
  15. Poor Wages
  16. Medicine Man
  17. Dark Now My Sky
  18. On Leave
  19. Hymn


Disc Four: DVD
    PART ONE
  1. Festive Overture - Shostakovich
  2. Fifties Child
  3. Galadriel
  4. In My Life
  5. Poor Man’s Moody Blues
  6. North
  7. Summer Soldier
  8. The Poet
  9. After the Day


    10. PART TWO
  10. Hornpipe – Handel’s Water Music
  11. Moonwater
  12. Mocking Bird
  13. Loving is Easy
  14. She Said
  15. Poor Wages
  16. Medicine Man
  17. Dark Now My Sky
  18. On Leave
  19. Hymn

Pre-order now from this link for 26th July release.



Other Short Stories Record Store Day Vinyl LP

19th February, 2024

Other Short Stories vinyl LP

Cherry Red/Esoteric Recordings have announced the release of a new black vinyl LP edition of Barclay James Harvest and other short stories (catalogue number PECLECLP 2720) especially for Record Store Day UK 2024. The LP replicates the tracklisting of the original 1971 LP, and is the first vinyl reissue of the album since then.

The record will be available available only through participating physical record shops from Record Store Day (20th April), so we will not be able to offer the LP through our web site shop or to assist with obtaining copies. We understand that copies should be available in record shops in some countries outside the UK, including Germany, so we suggest that you check with your local record shop!



Huddersfield Concert T-Shirts and Programmes

29th September 2023

Huddersfield T-shirt          Huddersfield Programme

Since the exclusive T-shirts produced for the recent JLBJH orchestral concerts in Huddersfield sold out by the interval on the first day, we're having a new batch manufactured. These will be a very limited edition, made to order for anyone who pre-orders by October 31st. We cannot guarantee to fulfil any orders placed after that date.

If you require a size not listed on the shop page, please add the size to the "Any additional instructions or comments" box on the ordering page.

Also available, and in stock to ship now, the A5-sized, 20-page souvenir concert programme.

More details, and ordering information, at the secure BJH online Emporium



Huddersfield Tickets

26th August 2023


JLBJH Orchestral Shows Poster

Don’t miss out on one of John’s last live performances with John Lees‘ Barclay James Harvest at the two very special U.K. performances with a full orchestra at Huddersfield Town Hall on September 23rd and 24th - there are only a few tickets left for the Saturday evening show, and it’s still possible to get half-price tickets for the Sunday afternoon matinée performance if you’re going on both days, or normal price if you can’t make the Saturday show.

Tickets are on sale now from Orchestral Concerts



Baby James Harvest Deluxe Set


Just a reminder that we’re taking advance orders for the forthcoming five disc deluxe edition of Baby James Harvest, which features unreleased tracks, a new stereo master and a 5.1 surround mix, and is due out on September 22nd.

Full details at https://www.bjharvest.co.uk/s-babydeluxe.htm



Extra Huddersfield Orchestral Show

3rd August 2023

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest are delighted to announce a second concert with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra. The second show will take place at the magnificent Huddersfield Town Hall on Sunday 24th September commencing at 16.00.

There will be some changes to the program from the first show, which takes place the evening befor,e on Saturday 23rd September at 20.00 at the same venue.

These shows are a unique opportunity to hear renditions of classic early ‘70s Barclay James Harvest arrangements for orchestra and band, not heard live in the UK for over 50 years, including "Mocking Bird", "The Poet" / "After the Day" and "Dark Now My Sky", last performed in 1973.  The programme will also include orchestra and band versions of songs from the later catalogue, never performed before in the UK, including the John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest latter day classic, "On Leave", specially arranged for this occasion.

The 80 strong Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1891 and has a reputation for innovative programming, choosing to showcase modern and more challenging works alongside the standard classical repertoire, and they have performed a number of world premiers, undertaken tours of China, several tours of Northern France and have recorded for the BBC. The SPO’s inspirational musical director Benjamin Ellin has adapted the original Barclay James Harvest orchestral arrangements especially for this project. The SPO’s collaboration with JLBJH is another step on the orchestra’s musical journey.

Tickets are available using this ticket link.

There is a specially discounted price for people who are attending the Saturday evening show and wish to attend the second performance. Details will be emailed directly to the purchasers of tickets for the first night.


www.barclayjamesharvest.com
www.spo.org.uk



Baby James Harvest Deluxe Edition

5th July 2023

Baby James Harvest deluxe CD/Blu-Ray set

Now on pre-sale, the new expanded deluxe edition of Baby James Harvest. The set features 4 CDs and an all-region Blu-Ray disc and comprises of 58 tracks. The set features the original UK stereo mix of the album remastered from the original master tapes, along with bonus tracks drawn from singles released in 1972 and 1973 and both mono and stereo versions of the November 1972 BBC In Concert performance, plus stunning new 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W. Tayler and the promotional video of the song "Thank You".

Also included is an amazing, previously unknown full band Barclay James Harvest recording of "Sweet Faced Jane", recorded during the album sessions at Strawberry.

The set comes in a small clamshell-style box, and also includes a lavishly illustrated book with a new essay.



Tracklistings:

Disc One: CD, The Original Stereo Mixes Remastered

  1. Crazy (Over You)
  2. Delph Town Morn
  3. Summer Soldier
  4. Thank You
  5. One Hundred Thousand Smiles Out
  6. Moonwater

    7. Bonus Tracks:

  7. Child of Man (A-side of single)
  8. I’m Over You (B-side of single)
  9. When the City Sleeps (B- side of single)
  10. Breathless (A-side of single)
  11. Thank You (alternative)
  12. Medicine Man (single version)
  13. Rock and Roll Woman (A- side of single)
  14. The Joker (B-side of single)
  15. Child of Man (BBC session 15th March 1972)


Disc Two: CD, The New Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler
  1. Crazy (Over You)
  2. Delph Town Morn
  3. Summer Soldier
  4. Thank You
  5. One Hundred Thousand Smiles Out
  6. Moonwater

    7. Bonus Tracks:

  7. Child of Man
  8. Sweet Faced Jane (previously unreleased)
  9. When the City Sleeps
  10. Breathless
  11. Medicine Man (single)
  12. Moonwater (Strawberry Studios demo)


Disc Three: CD, BBC Radio One “In Concert” 16th November 1972 with The Barclay James Harvest Symphony Orchestra – Mono UK broadcast version
  1. Introduction
  2. Mockingbird
  3. Medicine Man
  4. Galadriel
  5. Summer Soldier
  6. The Poet
  7. After the Day
  8. Moonwater
  9. Dark Now My Sky


Disc Four: CD, BBC Radio One “In Concert” 16th November 1972 with The Barclay James Harvest Symphony Orchestra – Stereo version
  1. Introduction
  2. Mockingbird
  3. Medicine Man
  4. Moonwater
  5. Summer Soldier
  6. The Poet
  7. After the Day
  8. Galadriel
  9. Dark Now My Sky


Disc Five: Blu-Ray, high resolution 5.1 Surround Sound mix & New Stereo Mix by Stephen W Tayler & Original Stereo Mix (96kHz /24-bit)
  1. Crazy (Over You)
  2. Delph Town Morn
  3. Summer Soldier
  4. Thank You
  5. One Hundred Thousand Smiles Out
  6. Moonwater

    7. Bonus tracks:

  7. Child of Man
  8. Sweet Faced Jane
  9. When the City Sleeps
  10. Breathless
  11. Medicine Man (single version)
  12. Moonwater (Strawberry Studios demo)

    13. Bonus video content:

  13. Thank You – Promotional video 1973, shown on BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 9th January 1973

The set can be pre-ordered now from the Barclay James Harvest web site shop, at https://www.bjharvest.co.uk/s-babydeluxe.htm



Extra German Show

30th June 2023

We’re pleased to announce one more German concert in December, in Freiburg im Breisgau, as follows:

  

Extra German Shows

27th June 2023

We’re pleased to announce two more German concerts in December, in Karlsruhe and Schwäbish Gmünd, as follows:



JLBJH in Belgium

30th April 2023

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest will be playing a concert at the Forum de Liège on Saturday, 18th November. Tickets are now on sale from the Forum online box office

In other news, in September Baby James Harvest will be released as a 5 disc boxed set which will feature new 5.1 Surround Sound & stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler, additional bonus tracks and a new remastered version of Barclay James Harvest In Concert, recorded for BBC Radio One with the Barclay James Harvest Symphony Orchestra, from November 1972. Pre-order information will be posted as soon as we have it.



Special Orchestral Concert in the UK

28th April 2023

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest are delighted to announce a very special concert at Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday, 23rd September with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra. In the early 1970s Barclay James Harvest was one of the first bands to record and tour with an orchestra, successfully fusing the worlds of rock and classical music. This concert will see JLBJH perform orchestrated renditions of classic Barclay James Harvest repertoire of the early 1970s such as Mocking Bird, The Poet, After the Day and the epic Dark Now My Sky (not performed live since 1973) along with more recent material newly arranged for an orchestra.

The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1891 in the beautiful Colne Valley near Huddersfield. The 80 strong orchestra has a reputation for innovative programming, choosing to showcase modern and more challenging works alongside the standard classical repertoire and they have performed a number of world premiers, undertaken tours of China, several tours of Northern France and have recorded for the BBC. The SPO’s inspirational musical director Benjamin Ellin has adapted the original Barclay James Harvest orchestral arrangements especially for this project. The SPO’s collaboration with JLBJH is another step on the orchestra’s musical journey.

The Huddersfield concert will be the first time that any incarnation of Barclay James Harvest has performed with an orchestra in the UK for fifty years and promises be a unique and very special event.

Tickets are now on sale from the Huddersfield Town Hall box office:

John Lees' Barclay James Harvest with SPO: Kirklees Theatre Ticketing



Swiss Concerts

28th April 2023

John Lees' Barclay James Harvest are pleased to announce three more Swiss concerts for December 2023, as follows:




JLBJH in Paris

21st April 2023

We're happy to announce that John Lees' Barclay James Harvest will be playing a one-off concert at the prestigious Salle Pleyel in Paris on the 19th November, 2023.

Tickets are available now from https://www.sallepleyel.com/evenement/barclay-james-harvest/.



JLBJH Concert in Wissen Cancelled

20th March 2023

The planned concert on 28th April, 2023 at the Wissen Kulturwerk by John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest is cancelled due to logistical reasons, said a statement from the concert agency.

The band very much regret the cancellation, especially since they remember their last concert in Wissen, and the enthusiasm of the audience there, very well. Fans will still have two opportunities to see the band’s last extensive tour in the vicinity: on April 27 in Koblenz and on May 14 in Limburg. Tickets for the cancelled Wissen show can be used for Koblenz, where they will give access to a seat in the balcony of the Rhein-Mosel-Halle. Everyone else can have their tickets refunded where they bought them.

 

Further information from: info@kultopolis.com



New Once Again Vinyl LP

7th March 2023

Once Again 2023 vinyl LP


Scheduled for release on 26th May is a new LP to complement the recent Esoteric Recordings deluxe box set of the classic Once Again album. Newly remastered from the original tapes at Abbey Road Studios, this is a faithful reproduction of the original 1971 release in a gatefold sleeve.

It won't be available through the Barclay James Harvest Web Site Emporium, but can be pre-ordered now direct from the record company web site at https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/barclay-james-harvest-one-again-remastered-12-vinyl-edition



Extra Seats in Manchester

22nd February, 2023

The Royal Northern College of Music have announced that they have made 58 extra seats available for the concert on 21st May.

The extra tickets are available now from the RNCM booking page. Once these are gone, there will be no more tickets for this show.



JLBJH in France

4th February, 2023

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest are delighted to announce that they will be appearing as part of the Retro CTrop festival at the Chateau de Tilloloy in France on Saturday, 24th June, 2023.

Tickets are available now from https://beta.retroctrop.fr/



JLBJH in Malta

2nd February, 2023

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest are delighted to announce that they will be appearing at the Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta, Malta, on Saturday, 8th July, 2023. Tickets are available now from https://www.showshappening.com/nng/John-Lees-Barclay-James-Harvest

On the subject of tickets, there aren’t many left for the band’s three U.K. shows in May, and we expect them to sell out completely soon, so if you’re thinking of going, please don’t delay!



New JLBJH German Concert

5th January, 2023

We can now confirm that the planned John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest show on 11th June, 2023 will be at Schmalkalden, Thüringentag, and a ticket link will be posted as soon as we have it.



Change Of Venue For JLBJH German Show

4th January, 2023

The planned John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest concert at Langen Stadthalle has been cancelled by the German promoter for logistical reasons, and a new show slotted in on the same date, 6th June, 2023, in Saarlouis, at the Theater am Ring. Tickets for that will be on sale soon, and we’ll add a ticket link to the web site as soon as possible. Ticketholders for the cancelled Langen gig can get refunds from the point of sale. Apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment caused, and we hope that fans will be able to attend one of the other dates on the tour.




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