|
Nick Harper is a highly accomplished guitarist to whom the term
virtuoso truly belongs. Yet his guitar playing is only a part of
his skill. As well as a distinctive and soulful voice, Nick is a
rare kind of artist, one who reaffirms faith in the art of original
songwriting.
Nicks debut recording was first heard in 1983 when he appeared
on his fathers Whatever Happened To Jugula album
a collaboration between Roy Harper and Jimmy Page. Nick went
on tour with his father and recorded regularly with him thereafter.
Nicks energy and talent entranced Roys fans and it was
no surprise when he began touring and recording in his own right.
Nicks first solo release was released in 1994; an E.P entitled
Light At The End of The Kennel. It captured Nick at
a raw and youthful stage yet contains songs mature enough to still
be mainstays of the live set. Then followed Seed in
1995 - his first album, and The Independent described him as Hugely
talented.
The next stage of his career began when Nick supported Squeeze front
man and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook. Tilbrook was so impressed that
he offered Nick a job playing with Squeeze and promptly signed Nick
to his own label, Quixotic Records. Following tours in the UK, USA
and Japan, Nick recorded his second album Smithereens
with Tilbrook as producer. It was this work and his subsequent 40
date solo tour including devastating appearances in New York and
Glastonbury that confirmed Nick Harper as a formidable talent in
his own right.
His third album, Harperspace, was released to great
critical acclaim - passionate, energetic and positively inspired.
This is the album that confirmed his position at the forefront of
a new generation of British Acoustic Performers.
Double Life, which came out in May '02, is Nicks
first live album and as well as outstanding performances of songs
from all his previous releases, also includes a few brand new as
yet unrecorded tracks. He is one of the select few artists working
in the UK who are simultaneously steeped in tradition and yet completely
contemporary - 'Guitar Man (Whole Lotta Love Mix)', is a rip roaring
marriage of 'Guitar Man' as recorded by Elvis Presley and 'Whole
Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin. Or 'Out Of It' which starts with two
verses of 'Butcher' by Killing Joke and goes on to include some
Gang of Four and even a fair few lungfuls of Prodigys 'Breathe'.
Nick has developed a reputation for creating great audience rapport.
While his songs can be intense and emotionally charged, in concert
Nick is relaxed, spontaneous and always enthralling.
"Harper has so much musicianship in him that it just leaks
out all over the place."
- Robert Dawson Scott, The Times 13 April 2002
"Frank
Zappa would have been impressed. .
he deserves to become a
major figure in his own right" - Robin Denselow - The Guardian
- 14 June 2000
"If
imagination, energy and bags of talent were the only factors in
making a successful pop career, few would deny that Squeeze man
Glenn Tilbrook has backed a winner in Nick Harper
Splendid
stuff"
- MOJO - September 2000
Double
Life - two CDs capturing his concert performances in all their prodigiously
rocking, soulfully operatic, tenderly concerned, politically disaffected,
waggishly witty, virtuosic magnificence
. New listeners should
prepare to be captivated by a colossal talent. *****
- The Herald, May 2002
"Nick
Harper is a force of nature, the sheer weight of ideas in his music
make him irresistible and unstoppable. ....Harper the performer
is a fearsome weapon. Phenomenal? You bet your life.
- Southern Reporter - 16 May 2002
"Nick
Harper has a quality that stands head and shoulders above anything
else you are likely to encounter.... The Verse Time Forgot, from
the new album 'Harperspace' is as close to a perfect song as you
are likely to get."
- Drew McAdam - Edinburgh Evening News - 19 June 00
Nick
Harper has successfully emerged from beneath that paternal shadow
in recent years, gaining widespread recognition as a gifted singer
songwriter in his own right, as well as a singularly skilled and
inventive guitarist.
- Sue Wilson METRO Edinburgh Fringe Festival - August
2001
Singer-songwriter-guitarists
don't get any more committed - or any better - than this. Whether
he's ruminating on political ineffectiveness or regretting a hangover,
Harper gives his very considerable all.
- Rob Adams The Herald - August 2001
|