Octoberon


Octoberon is the seventh studio album by Barclay James Harvest, released in 1976. The band had hoped that Elliot Mazer would again produce, but after hanging around in San Francisco for six weeks, they were forced to return home and produce it themselves.
A single was released containing a live version of "Rock 'n' Roll Star", and this gave the band an appearance on Top of the Pops. The song remained part of their live show to the end.
In 2003 a remastered CD was issued with five bonus tracks. In 2017 a 3-disc CD/DVD special edition was released. This features new stereo and surround mixes in addition to the remastered originals, plus the 2003 bonus tracks, one new bonus track, and two videos.

Critical reception

In the UK music magazine Sounds, Tim Lott expressed his frustration with the album, saying, "Unfortunately, Octoberon is no major departure from disappointing formula. But despite that, there are some fine, imaginative moments which point once again to the never-fulfilled potential." A contemporary review of the album, appearing in a January 1977 issue of Billboard magazine, said that Octoberon "has delivered an extremely accessible spacey-but-lyrical LP in the most popular style of Pink Floyd or Yes. There is nothing harsh or cultish about this music." In another mixed review, AllMusic's Paul Collins wrote retrospectively that Octoberon lacks the harmonies evident in the band's earlier records, and that the album is "not up to the level of their best work, but worth a listen for fans."

Track listing

2003 remastered CD

As above, plus:

8. "Rock 'n' Roll Star" - 4:53

9. "Polk Street Rag" - 5:30

10. "Ra"

11. "Rock 'n' Roll Star"

12. "Suicide?"

2017 remastered 3-disc set

Disc One (CD)

Tracks 1–7 as above, plus:

8. "Rock 'n' Roll Star" - 4:53

9. "Polk Street Rag" - 5:30

10. "Ra"

11. "Suicide?"

N.B. These appear to be the same mixes as tracks 8–10 & 12 on the 2003 CD, although the descriptions "first mix" and "early mix" have been swapped.

Disc Two (CD)

New stereo mixes of Tracks 1–7 as above, plus:

8. "Rock 'n' Roll Star"

9. "May Day"

Disc Three (DVD)

Audio content:

Three mixes of tracks 1–7 as above, plus track 9 on Disc Two: 5.1 surround mix, 96 kHz/24-bit new and original stereo mixes.

Video content:
  1. "Rock 'n' Roll Star"
  2. "The World Goes On"

Personnel

;Barclay James Harvest