You accurately identified the vast difference in responses to Roy in the UK and US, Mitchell! I was in radio in '75, and have never seen the "HQ" title or jacket art on the UK/Harvest release! But, the "When an Old...." on Chrysalis is very recognizable to this stateside cat. In the late '70s, too, that's the record/jacket we sold in my record store!
It's been my experience (and I think US chart placement/sales bear me out) that Roy never really got any traction in the states. I know I never played him on the 2 FM rock stations I was at, and I can't recall personally ever selling any of his albums! I used to read about him a lot on the imported NMEs/Melody Makers/Sounds tabs I'd buy (a week later, of course, after shipment) at my local newsstand, and wondered what he sounded like!
Even though I had promos aplenty on each of his '70s Chrysalis catalog items, I don't recall much of what he sounded like (I must've auditioned each one at least a bit), but I think my personal noncommittal response was echoed, by and large, by radio folk and record-buyers. To our detriment, I'm sure, but, despite not being a household name, I DO know he's respected and heralded by many here in the states!
Add Roy's name to the list of other talented Brit/UK-area singer/songwriters who are roundly respected, but are largely unknown in the US: John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and probably more!
So, cricket referencing songs are pretty few and far between; there's this, and 10CC's 'I Don't Like Cricket', but surely the winner (by 22 yards!) has to be Half Man, Half Biscuit's 'Fuckin' 'ell it's Fred Titmus'!
Yes, there was a concise period in 1978 when Harper's song had just been re-released as a single and 'Dreadlock Holiday' was about to be released that two could have been getting radio play. Other than HMHB, I think that The Duckworth-Lewis Method in 2009 is the next significant port of call.
You accurately identified the vast difference in responses to Roy in the UK and US, Mitchell! I was in radio in '75, and have never seen the "HQ" title or jacket art on the UK/Harvest release! But, the "When an Old...." on Chrysalis is very recognizable to this stateside cat. In the late '70s, too, that's the record/jacket we sold in my record store!
It's been my experience (and I think US chart placement/sales bear me out) that Roy never really got any traction in the states. I know I never played him on the 2 FM rock stations I was at, and I can't recall personally ever selling any of his albums! I used to read about him a lot on the imported NMEs/Melody Makers/Sounds tabs I'd buy (a week later, of course, after shipment) at my local newsstand, and wondered what he sounded like!
Even though I had promos aplenty on each of his '70s Chrysalis catalog items, I don't recall much of what he sounded like (I must've auditioned each one at least a bit), but I think my personal noncommittal response was echoed, by and large, by radio folk and record-buyers. To our detriment, I'm sure, but, despite not being a household name, I DO know he's respected and heralded by many here in the states!
Add Roy's name to the list of other talented Brit/UK-area singer/songwriters who are roundly respected, but are largely unknown in the US: John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and probably more!
I imagine Harper is probably more known in the US for his namecheck on Led Zeppelin III and vocals on Pink Floyd's 'Have A Cigar'.
To quote Fonzie, "Exact-a-mundo!"👍
So, cricket referencing songs are pretty few and far between; there's this, and 10CC's 'I Don't Like Cricket', but surely the winner (by 22 yards!) has to be Half Man, Half Biscuit's 'Fuckin' 'ell it's Fred Titmus'!
Yes, there was a concise period in 1978 when Harper's song had just been re-released as a single and 'Dreadlock Holiday' was about to be released that two could have been getting radio play. Other than HMHB, I think that The Duckworth-Lewis Method in 2009 is the next significant port of call.