John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest, “North” will be released on October 7th 2013 on the Esoteric Antenna label. The album will be backed by a full UK tour in November. “North” is the band’s first all new studio recording since “Nexus” (released in 1999). 

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Featuring John Lees (vocals, guitars), Craig Fletcher (vocals, bass), Jez Smith (keyboards, vocals) and Kevin Whitehead (drums, percussion), the record is very much a group effort, in the tradition of classic BJH, with every track being written specifically for the album by all four members of the band. 

The album draws on the fine musical heritage of Barclay James Harvest whilst bringing the BJH legacy up to date with expansive compositions and thoughtful lyrics. Featuring several epic compositions such as “On Leave”, the album also includes the recent digital single “Unreservedly Yours” and “Ancient Waves”, a song inspired by the Iraq conflict, performed live in more recent times. The band’s Northern roots are explored both musically and lyrically on the album’s lengthy title track and the emotive finale, “The End of the Day”, featuring music set to a poem by early 20th Century Northern poet Ammon Wrigley

“North” continues the Barclay James Harvest story and is the strongest work to emerge from the band in many years, a true group effort by John Lees, Craig Fletcher, Jez Smith and Kevin Whitehead. The album will be released as a standard single CD edition and a deluxe limited edition 2CD digi-pack release which includes a previously unreleased bonus CD featuring highlights of the band’s sold out concert at Buxton Opera House in February 2011, featuring classic Barclay James Harvest material. “North” is also available as a limited edition gatefold 180 gram vinyl LP. 

The UK tour in November 2013 will see them joined by special guests GORDON GILTRAP and OLIVER WAKEMAN on every show with the exception of Edinburgh (where they are joined by opening special guest ANNE-MARIE HELDER of Panic Room / Mostly Autumn). 

John Lees’ BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST: “North” Released Monday 7th October 2013 

If You Were Here Now

Ancient Waves

In Wonderland

On Leave

The Real Deal

On Top of the World

Unreservedly Yours

North

The End of the Day 

John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest 2013 UK tour dates: 

NOVEMBER 2013: 

7th        Bath – Komedia                                £23.50             0845 293 8480        www.komedia.co.uk/ba

8th        London - Islington Assembly       £24.50             020 7288 4400 islington.gov.uk/assemblyhall

9th        Milton Keynes – Stables                £23.50            01908 280 800        www.stables.org

10th      Bilston - The Robin                          adv £22 door £24.50 01902 401 211            www.therobin.co.uk/ 

15th      Edinburgh - Liquid Rooms             £21.50             0131 225 2564        www.liquidroom.com/

16th      Holmfirth – Picturedrome              adv £20 door £22 01484 689759  www.picturedrome.net/

21st      Cambridge – The Junction                        £23.50             01223 511 511        www.junction.co.uk

22nd     Southampton - The Brook             £25.00             023 8055 5366        www.the-brook.com

23rd      Tavistock – The Wharf                    £22.00             01822 611 16           www.tavistockwharf.com

Tickets are all subject to booking fee and are also available from http://www.barclayjamesharvest.com/ 

Special guests on all UK dates (except Edinburgh) GORDON GILTRAP & OLIVER WAKEMAN 

Special guest in Edinburgh ANNE-MARIE HELDER