Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of an expanded 2CD re-mastered edition of the classic 1977 album A Major Fancy by Barclay James Harvest guitarist and vocalist John Lees.Although originally released in 1977 by EMI’s HARVEST label, the album was recorded between December 1972 and January 1973 at Abbey Road studios and Strawberry Studios in Stockport. Produced by WALLY ALLEN of the PRETTY THINGS, the album sessions featured a host of notable guest musicians including ERIC STEWART and KEVIN GODLEY (of 10CC), SKIP ALLEN (PRETTY THINGS), GORDON EDWARDS (PRETTY THINGS) and ROD ARGENT (ZOMBIES& ARGENT). The sessions for A MAJOR FANCY also gave birth to the classic CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE along with impressive material such as UNTITLED No. 1 HERITAGE , LONG SHIPS , WITBURGNIGHT and KES (A MAJOR FANCY). Deleted for some years, this Esoteric Recordings edition has been newly re-mastered and includes a bonus CD featuring five previously unreleased out-takes including the song UNTITLED No. 8 and a first version of CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE with different lyrics. Also included are both sides of John ‘s rare 1974 Polydor single, THE BEST OF MY LOVE / YOU CAN’T GET IT , and an out-take from those sessions, Please Be With Me.
The Original Album Re-Mastered - Untitled No. 1 Heritage / Child Of The Universe / KES (A Major Fancy) / Untitled No. 2 / Sweet Faced Jane / Witburg Night / Long Ships / Untitled No. 3Bonus Tracks - Untitled No. 8 / Child Of The Universe (first version) / Witburg Night (first mix) / Untitled No. 2 (First Version) / Untitled No. 1 Heritage (alternate mix) (TRACKS 1 5 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SESSION OUTTAKES) / Child Of The Universe (1977 single edit) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD) / The Best Of My Love / You Can’t Get It (A & B SIDES OF SINGLE 1974) / Please Be With Me (RECORDED IN 1974)