…I have an album coming out, in February. The estimable Peter Muir, Mogul of Market Square – taking the risk of appalling hubris off my own shoulders – has created a vid for the opening track, ‘Blues For The Mahavishnu’ [Radio Edit] (and yes, I know there’ll be a few smiles at the very idea that something like this will ever appear on the radio… 🙂 ).
Chris Spedding plays lead guitar on the track, with Premik Russell Tubbs on soprano sax, my regular collaborators Ali MacKenzie (bass) and Cormac O’Kane (piano), plus Cardiff Lou from Wookalily (drums) and Lee Hedley from the Mighty Mojos on harmonica. I’m on acoustic and the mono-synthy homage to 1979.
Hope some of you enjoy it – no worries if not.
Vulpes Vulpes says
Oooooh I really like that. Sold. And bought. Nice one Colin!
Mocktudor says
Mr H! That sounded bloody marvellous through my iPad speaker. Can’t wait to luxuriate in the album in February.
ruff-diamond says
It’s good Colin, but it needs more Chapman Stick…
ruff-diamond says
PS did I read the blurb on Market Square’s site correctly – you have Alison from the mighty Mellow Candle on vocals?
Colin H says
Thanks chaps! And yes, Alison is there on one of the three vocal numbers.
I’ve just realised that the great and loquaciously fulsome Linley Hamilton (who features on two tracks) played the title track of the album on his BBC Radio Ulster show last night, 37-odd mins in. I promise you, I didn’t solicit this – and some of his encomium NO ONE could live up to! But Linley’s an all-round music enthusiast and supporter of live music and musicians (aside from being a flugelhorn ace), and it’s terrific, in NI, to have someone like that on air and on the side of the ‘small man’, so no complaining!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06vj2gb#play
pencilsqueezer says
Marvellous Colin. I can feel my wallet twitching.
Sour Crout says
Nice one,Colin but as it’s got the Vish in the title why isn’t the track 24 mins long? Now that would be a tribute and a salute
millymollymandy says
Really enjoyed that Colin – will look out for it in Feb.
Baron Harkonnen says
Congrats Colin, how do we buy it?
Colin H says
Thank you. Well… it’s available here, it seems:
And I’ve just noticed it’s on several Japanese online retail sites, plus this virginmedia one – though when one tries to listen to excerpts it plays tracks from David Bowie’s latest album (!?!)…
http://www.virginmedia.com/music/browse/colin-harper/albums/461858
I believe it will be available on itunes etc in due course. To be honest, I’ve been so engrossed in mixing vintage Quintessence material for Hux records lately that, bar posting out copies to some radio people, I haven’t been very focused on this!
Colin H says
Thank you, one and all – you’re very encouraging! And Crout, didn’t you see the phrase ‘radio edit’? Don’t you realise that implies that there IS a longer version on the album…? 🙂
How much longer, one wonders? Oh, alright: 5:33. Mahavishnu-lite (in every respect)…
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
5 : 33 -Are you taking the p ! That barely constitutes an opening chord.
JustB says
Excellent, Colin – nice one! 🙂
Colin H says
Thank you – I hope it’s not too disappointing, Bob! 🙂
Locust says
Having had the pleasure of receiving a copy already I can assure all prospective buyers that it is very good indeed!
I’ve been finding myself humming a few of the tracks at work this week, alongside Bowie’s Blackstar…
Excellent work, Colin!
Colin H says
You’re very kind, Loki. But, of course, the locust is well-known for devouring anything in its path… 🙂
Locust says
I enjoy most types of music – except bad music!
So I enjoyed this a lot.
Colin H says
Touché!
Lodestone of Wrongness says
I doff my cap
Twang says
Yes having obtained an early copy from the Colmeister I can confirm it is a fab album. Twang says it’s a Buy.
Kaisfatdad says
Hats off to both of you, Twang and Colin, for sharing your latest musical adventures with us,
Junior Wells says
That opening sax had a southern African sound to it – no bad thing in my book.
Colin H says
And I should mention that there’s one track that has a FANTASTIC Shane Pacey-esque Melbourne sound to it. (Yes, courtesy of…)
Sitheref2409 says
A bit short isn’t it?
mikethep says
Nice work Colin. Just been startling the kookaburras with it.
biggles says
Teaser sounds mighty fine – will duly order cd.
You’ve cost me quite a bit over the last year or so – books, albums due to books, and now this. Good job they’re all worth it!
Feedback_File says
You know what Colin that is rather classy. Top set of musicians as well. Looking forward to the full album.
Ainsley says
Wallet at the ready based on the trailer
hubert rawlinson says
Having bought Twang’s waxing, it would be churlish not to purchase this too. Good luck with this one too Colin.
Twang says
I have written to Mr. Harper and pointed out that having Chris Spedding, Andy Powell, Bert Jansch and the Pacemeister on your album is, frankly, cheating.
Colin H says
…and I have replied to Mr Twang saying that I had to, ‘cos HE had Twang.
Twang says
Fait point, but I know when I’m out gunned.
Twang says
FFS I meant FAIR point. I’m convinced there’s a typo gremlin in the site code which introduces inane errors at the point of posting.
Colin H says
The same gremlin sits on my shoulder any time I enter a recording studio…
Colin H says
Very kind words everyone, really.
Alas, half of the 14 tracks are 3 1/2 mins or less. The longest is only 7:22. I feel I’m letting people down here – people who EXPECT gargantuan Vishnu-esque wig-outs…
All I can say is that later this year I’ll be arranging a ‘proper’ rerelease of my sneaked-out 2010 instrumental concept album ‘Titanium Flag’, with extra stuff. The title track is 12 1/2 mins, which might go some way to soothing the ire of the disappointed.
Here’s half of it:
Twang says
Fabulous album. Anyone who doesn’t have it should get a copy now.
Colin H says
….or wait till the bells’n’whistles reissue! 🙂
but thank you Twang – you’re a very encouraging fellow, as is everyone round here. Actually, I found the same spirit at the BBC4-filmed ‘Britain’s Best Part-Time Band’ NI/Wales/Scotland semi-final event at the Limelight, Belfast, on Friday past. Five bands plus Rhod Gilbert and Midge Ure (judging) coming on in between telling everyone it DOESN’T MATTER, that THERE’S NO PRIZE, NOTHING! – it’s just a celebration of ‘real people’ playing ‘real music’ around the country. it was determinedly the anti-X Factor and it was great fun.
I can’t tell you who went through (2 out of 5) but the acts were all great fun, very varied, and the spirit in the room was great. I was amazed at what a big production it seemed to be. Usually with BBC4 you get the impression it’s either two people with camera and lunch budget following Lucy Worsley around as she points at things and ad libs, or else it’s a couple of people who’ve scrapped together a few quid to get Alex Petridis and Miranda Sawyer onto a sofa to make pithy comments about old OGWT clips. But no, there were a LOT of people with passes round their necks, three cameras, a complicated sound desk and a bloke with an electronic clapperboad. AND you had to get a wristband to even get in the queue to get a vwristband into the venue. Weird.