My Boy

My husband has always had this LP in his collection from its original release, but it had been gathering dust and it wasn't until we got mp3 players that he bought the cd and I heard it for the first time. What a revelation! Richard Harris has an incredible voice and the raw emotion he portrays and the brilliant lyrics never fail to move me. Put it on a playlist on its own though, lest it should get lost in a 'shuffle', as it's the story of a relationship (from start to finish) and needs to be listened to in chronological order really. It's a great concept, really well executed.The reviewer who criticised the sound of his recording must have just been unlucky - ours is perfect and we hesitated because of this bad review but I'm so glad we went for it. My only gripe is that there's no write up about how the album came to be, just a very brief (just a sentence) synopsis for each track.Do buy this CD, it's too good to miss.

I concur with the other reviewer that this is a great album. A shame then that my listening experience was hampered by such a terrible recording. The music and lyrics seem to converge into a woeful outpouring of muffled sound, suggesting something being uttered through a mouthful of seaweed. Such a shame as the album would have been 5*. This recording is just 1*. The rating above is the fairest compromise I can give.A terrible disappointment for a huge fan of the great man.

not bad

Before I heard this concept album the only record I had ever heard by Harris was his classic, 'Macarthur Park'. In that respect I was thus expecting to hear quite a lot of 'overblown' records with unnecessary 'vocal gymnastics' here as so many artists who score a major hit try to recreate it for the rest of their recording careers once the hits dry up...What I got in 'My Boy', however was a record full of feeling, romance, passion and pain. Sure Richard does 'let rip' with some long and powerful vocal lines at times but they are never out of place or simply for the sake of it. I love the wistful, sad yet hopelessly romantic, 'Sidewalk Song' and the concept (supposedly autobiographical) about a disillusioned man dreaming of finding love who eventually does and then 'travels through' a relationship only to end up disillusioned once more actually works quite well. The only song on the whole record that doesn't add much to the story nor do much for me being 'Why Did You Leave Me?'.As other reviewers have pointed out, the best way to listen to this album is as a whole in one go. Even the sole single, 'My Boy' is far from 'radio fodder' and it is important to keep up with the continuing story you are being told. Good, old-fashioned romantic balladry has taken a hit in recent years to be replaced by records with plenty of swearing and/or attitude on them so this is a real breathe of fresh 70's air for some of us! (lol)Unlike one of the other reviewers here, I find the sound quality to be excellent and think the 24 Bit high Definition remastering job has been done very well. All of the lead vocals are clear as a bell as far as I am concerned...Overall, if you are a Richard Harris fan and thinking of buying this to replace your old vinyl - do, I don't think you will have any problems with the sound at all.

This album is one of my guilty secrets. For a hellraiser, Harris did more than his fair share of navel gazing and My Boy takes us through his relationship - falling in love, the birth of a son, the broken relationship, the divorce, the disillusionment.A beautiful summation of love and failure and much of it is seen through the words and music of Jimmy Webb who provides four of the songs here. It is an album that has to be listened to in order and in its entirety. There is starkness but considerable beauty. And how many people know that Harris recorded the original version of the Phil Coulter/Bill Martin title track a long time ahead of Elvis Presley's version

I first become aware of Richard Harris the singer when I purchased A Tramp Shining album last year. Later came The Yard Went On Forever album. But nothing really prepared me for this wonderful work. Harris sounds a lot like Scott Walker during his late 1960s heyday, but for me Harris is in a league of his own. This album is quite simply a MASTERPIECE. Each song is superbly written and performed. The production is first rate and remastering of the origional tapes make this album an absolute gem. I cannot recommend this work highly enough. Elvis covered the title track but the Richard Harris version is all you need to hear. SIMPLY WONDERFUL

j'ai déjà dit tout le bien que je pensais de mon premier CD de RICHARD HARRIS CHANTEUR, MAC ARTHUR PARK, et je suis tout aussi admirative de celui-ci également magnifique. J'ADORE ces deux albums.C'était un très grand chanteur en plus d'être un très grand comédien. Tous les talents.

I've loved this album since its first release. I've been in love with Richard Harris since I was 12, and followed everything he did. My Boy was a story told as only Richard Harris could have told it. Harris was not a great voice. He was a great actor who imbued everything he did, sung or spoken, with a depth of emotion few could hope to meet. As we follow the meeting, the love, the parting and the final love for his son, the character Harris portrays in this album takes the listener on an emotional journey. I urge you to go on the journey as well.

When the name "Richard Harris" is mentioned, most people either think of his acting talent or the classic recording of "MacArthur Park". However, he had another lesser hit that I think was every bit as good as that smash. That recording was "My Boy". It has been out-of-print for many years, but has recently been reissued. His version is not on Itunes or Amazon; you will have to listen to Elvis' version if you want to hear the song. I have them both: Elvis' for his voice and Harris' for his styling.

Hadn't heard this album in over 26 years so when I got it I was soooo excited! Opened the packaging - plopped it in my CD player and remembered all the words!!! I was THRILLED!!! Then came Track 3 - at first I thought my speakers were shorting a bit. So I checked all my equipment out. Nope! It was the CD. From Track 3 to the end of the CD there is a 'snare drum' snapping type sound, almost like a distortion that plays the entire time. Since I have opened the CD and it seems that I can't return it now - I must take a crap shoot and order/pay for/receive and OPEN another CD just to see if that one will play correctly. I also ordered, "I, In the Membership of My Days", was so excited to finally hear that material again such good stuff. Sad news AGAIN....I can only play that CD on one of 4 CD players. Needless to say I'm disappointed and really don't like spending more money on an iffy proposition.

For the Richard Harris fans which I am one of, here is a very sexy voice, a life of sensitivity and beauty. Beautiful music. Highly recommended.

I originally bought this album on vynal 35 years ago and lost it in a move. I have searched for a good copy of it ever since (figuring it would never be made on CD). The CD version is crystal clear and brings out sounds I had not heard of the vynal version. While dated musically, the story still holds true as any guy who is divorced or getting divorced can tell you. Baby boomers can relate to the music, the concept and the story.

I found this cd was fantastic great price thanks

If tou like Jim Webb songs no one does them better that Richard did. Not a great singer byt, wow, can he get a song and the emotion accross. If you want Beyonce avoid this. Other wise, buy it today.....great story line.

Didn't even know this little GEM existed ... I've had the Webb Sessions on CD for quite some time and enjoyed the music on both MacArthur Park and the Yard Went on Forever. But WOW - as I started reading about Richard Harris' releases on CD this recording kept popping up as ONE to buy ... so I did.Definitely Richard's voice and his music is an acquired taste - but one that I've taken a liking to throughout the years. And I found this particular CD unique and quite melodic. And the whole concept LP theme works quite well, with each song unique and able to stand up on their own. But definitely as a concept the whole CD is exceptional.

I remember this music -- my brother gave me the record when I was about 12. Wonderful, sad, hopeful story of a man and the woman he loves/d and the child he had. All - with the beautiful voice of Richard Harris.

Well done as you would expect. I love his deep voice. It is a little melancholy but worth having.

Richard Harris was a character and the song "My Boy" was a perfect choice for his raspy voice. I love it.

I LOVE ALL OF RICHARD hARRIS WORK ...THOUGHTFUL AND PROVOKING

I have purchased and repurchased this album, CD, several times during my lifetime. I love this album....I miss Richard Harris....

Incredible story with the music. Warm, loving, heartbreaking.