The Unknown Soldier (album)


The Unknown Soldier is the tenth studio album by English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Roy Harper. It was first released in 1980 by Harvest Records and was his last release on the label.

History

The album was originally released on EMI's Harvest Records label in 1980 and Electrola 1C06407259 ). In 1998 the album was reissued on Harpers Science Friction label.
Whilst duets are not commonplace on Roy Harper albums, Kate Bush accompanies Harper on the song "You". The song "Short and Sweet" features David Gilmour on guitar and is also found on Gilmour's first solo album, David Gilmour, released two years earlier. In fact, Gilmour plays guitar on most of the songs and co-wrote five of the album's ten songs. Harper providing the lyrics and Gilmour the music.
Originally, the songs "I'm in Love with You", "Ten Years Ago" and "The Flycatcher", were to be released on the proposed earlier Harper album, Commercial Breaks. However, a dispute between Harper and EMI meant Commercial Breaks was not released until 1994. These three songs were re-recorded for The Unknown Soldier, and vary slightly from their original demo composition.

Track listing

All tracks credited to Roy Harper except where indicated

Side one

  1. "Playing Games" - 3:12
  2. "I'm In Love With You" - 3:45
  3. "The Flycatcher" - 4:10
  4. "You" - 4:37
  5. "Old Faces" - 4:09

    Side two

  6. "Short and Sweet" - 6:28
  7. "First Thing in the Morning" - 3:40
  8. "The Unknown Soldier" - 3:33
  9. "Ten Years Ago" - 3:35
  10. "True Story" - 4:50

    Personnel

Additional performers
Technical Personnel