Poems, Speeches, Thoughts and Doodles
Roy Harper · 1997
57 min · 34 tracks · traditional folk music
A whimsical blend of spoken word and folk melodies that reflects on society with biting humor and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bad Speech 2 — This track encapsulates Harper's sharp wit and social commentary, showcasing his ability to critique modern life through a playful lens.
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Constant Sorrow — With its poignant reflections on human experience, this song reveals a more serious side of Harper's lyricism while maintaining his signature folk sensibility.
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Love Me — This closing track stands out for its heartfelt plea and melodic warmth, anchoring the album's eclectic nature with emotional depth.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whimsical reflections on daily life
- brief interludes for quick listening
- playful critiques of modernity
- thought-provoking spoken word segments
- lighthearted moments of absurdity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer cohesive pieces
- seek straightforward narrative structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Roy Harper released Poems, Speeches, Thoughts and Doodles in 1997, he was already an established figure in British folk music, known for his intricate lyricism and storytelling. This album came years after his critically acclaimed 1970s works, positioning him in a phase of artistic exploration as he experimented with format and genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Drake· John Martyn· Leonard Cohen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 First Thing in the Morning 2:58
- 2 Blow by Blow 1:10
- 3 The Spirit Lives 2:47
- 4 Lunchtime Sandwich Secretaries 1:17
- 5 November 0:19
- 6 The Arty Fartique (The Critic) 0:56
- 7 Bad Speech 2 3:53
- 8 Timelords in the Frost 2:22
- 9 Angel of the Night 1:31
- 10 Hidden by Numbers 1:14
- 11 Hole in the Sky 0:26
- 12 Overnight Success 1:11
- 13 Nero 0:40
- 14 Clones 1:33
- 15 Constant Sorrow 1:53
- 16 BUPA 1:55
- 17 Extreme Middle Age 3:57
- 18 The Night Aglow 0:37
- 19 Filthy Stain Hussein 2:06
- 20 Your Tongue in Their Cheeks 1:48
- 21 Commune 2:22
- 22 Tel 0:50
- 23 Descendants of Smith 1:22
- 24 Our Father 3:36
- 25 Crystal Shoes 0:28
- 26 The Afternoon Sun 0:19
- 27 The Unknown 1:05
- 28 And Yet 3:19
- 29 Auto Farrier 1:04
- 30 Ere Winter Ends 0:32
- 31 Ghost Dance 1:24
- 32 Pinches of Salt 1:32
- 33 The Song That Never Ends 0:57
- 34 Love Me 4:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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