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With Roy Harper

An hour of the best in folk, roots and acoustic music, including an interview with the influential songwriter Roy Harper about his new compilation of love songs.

Mike Harding presents an hour of the very best in folk, roots and acoustic music, including classic tracks and the best new releases. This week, the celebrated British songwriter Roy Harper talks to Mike about his new compilation Songs Of Love And Loss, and looks back on his early days as he marks his 70th year with a number of releases and events.

Roy Harper was born in Manchester and raised in Blackpool. He began his career in skiffle bands, before having his head turned by the folk-blues of Leadbelly and eventually becoming a fixture in the clubs of the British folk revival, particularly Soho's Les Cousins club.

Harper went on to pursue a more experimental course, writing powerful and complex songs bordering on the epic. Highly-regarded by his peers, he famously recorded vocals for Pink Floyd and was celebrated by his friends Led Zeppelin on their track Hats Off To (Roy) Harper.

Classic albums like 1971's Stormcock and great songs like When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease have influenced and inspired many in the next generation of acoustic artists, including Joanna Newsom and Fleet Foxes.

On this week's show, Roy talks about his first steps as a busker, writing an original love song, and about the appeal of living in Ireland.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 21 Sep 2011 19:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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14/09/2011

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With Ry Cooder

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Music Played

  • The Soggy Bottom Boys

    I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow

    • O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
    • Lost Highway 0602527489278.

  • June Tabor & Oysterband

    If My Love Leaves Me

    • Ragged Kingdom.
    • Topic TSCD585.

  • Jackie McAuley

    The Auld Triangle

    • Shadowboxing.
    • The Road Goes On Forever RGF/JMCCD 041.

  • Sandy Denny

    Listen, Listen

    • Sandy.
    • Universal Island IMCD314/982 802-2.

  • Bert Jansch

    Blackwaterside

    • Jack Orion.
    • Transatlantic Records CMRCD304.

  • David Kosky & Damien O'Kane

    Frolics +

    • The Mystery Inch.
    • Pure Records PRCD30.

  • Roy Harper

    Flycatcher

    • Songs Of Love & Loss.
    • Salvo SALVOCD222.

  • Roy Harper

    Francesca

    • Songs Of Love & Loss.
    • Salvo SALVOCD222.

  • Roy Harper

    Waiting For Godot

    • Songs Of Love & Loss.
    • Salvo SALVOCD222.

  • Arty McGlinn, Chris Newman, Nollaig Casey, Maire Ni Chathasaigh

    Arty McGlinn, Chris Newman, Nollaig Casey, Maire Ni Chathasaigh - Tom Cronin's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔwork

  • Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell

    Down In Adairsville

    • Kite.
    • RabbleRouser Music RRM007.

  • Tom Russell

    Goodnight, Juarez

    • Mesabi.
    • Proper PRPCD088.

Broadcast

  • Wed 21 Sep 2011 19:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2