John Lees Barclay James Harvest & The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra - Philharmonic! The Orchestral Concert (Live) (2024) [Hi-Res]

In the early 1970s Barclay James Harvest pioneered the fusion of rock and classical music, touring with their own symphony orchestra. On the 23rd September 2023, a stunning and unique concert took place which saw the first performance by any incarnation of Barclay James Harvest with a symphony orchestra to take place in UK since 1973. Joining JLBJH for this memorable concert was The Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Benjamin Ellin.

The performance featured classic BJH songs such as ‘The Poet’, ‘After the Day’, 'Mocking Bird’, ‘She Said’, ‘Galadriel’, ‘Poor Man’s Moody Blues’ and ‘Hymn’, and newer pieces such as ‘On Leave’, along with two pieces not performed live since 1973, Woolly Wolstenholme’s evocative ‘Moonwater’ (sung by guest vocalist Eleanor Sandars) and the epic and majestic ‘Dark Now My Sky’.

"After three years of postponement and re-scheduling, we are really looking forward to the 2023 concert dates in March, April, May and June which we are pleased will be going ahead, with some slight adjustments to the original itinerary [see below], which were outside the band's control.

As many of you know, in January I will celebrate my 76th birthday and I have come to the decision that our 2023 concerts will be my last year of full touring.

I do intend to continue to write and record with Craig, Kev and Jez , and JLBJH will still perform occasional one-off live dates in the future such as festivals or other special events, so it will not be a complete cessation of musical activity, but I do not intend to undertake further extensive tours beyond the dates in 2023.

I have been privileged to have enjoyed so many years making music, which could not have been done to the degree of success achieved without the help and support of Olwen and my family, my bandmates and musical collaborators, my managers, agents and promoters, the production crews we rely upon and, of course, the many fans around the world whose loyalty and continued engagement in the music is deeply valued. Thank you, one and all.

So I fully intend to go out on a high! We have a new album nearing completion and planned for release in 2023, and we have a busy year of live dates ahead of us.

During the 50th Anniversary Concert, Craig described our fans as "family" . It was an astute observation, and there is certainly an enduring sense of a community amongst Barclay James Harvest followers, which we hope will long continue to thrive. The band and I look forward to seeing as many of the BJH "family" as possible at the 2023 concerts, as we celebrate my "farewell to touring".

In the meantime, the band and I send you all our best wishes for the Festive season and for health, happiness and peace." (John Lees)