rev_m_procol

PROCOL HARUM
A Whiter Shade of Pale

as reviewed by Jack Crompton at Amazon.com, November 21, 2006

To be listened to in the spirit in which it was made...

Procol Harum is a bit of an enigma. They are a band still performing to enthusiastic loyal (if small in number) crowds after more than 40 years. And they've had but two radio hits! The 'mainstream' has largely passed them by more than 35 years ago. Yet, this remarkable band embodies what fine art is all about. And rightly so they are ignored by the dumbed down masses. Let them have their britney spears and other schlock. We connisseurs of the finer things in life know true art when we hear it.

I remember the very moment I heard the singe, 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' on the radio. I was only about 11 or 12 years old, but the track stopped me dead in my tracks. There was nothing that sounded like it ever. Gary Brooker’s soulfull vocals layered over the cascading bach-like organ phrases, combined with the bizzare poetry of the lyrics had a stunning effect, and still do. Such is the entirety of procols output by and large. They have been consistent to the promise of this, their first LP recording.

I also remember when I first purchased it around 1969. I was the guy who turned on my circle of friends to this band, who eagerly soaked in each subsequent release with almost religious zeal. With albums such as 'Salty Dog', 'Shine On Brightly', the bizarre 'Home', their twin masterpieces, ‘Grand Hotel’ and ‘Exotic Birds and Fruit’ and on through their last two releases, ‘Prodigal Stranger’ and 'The Well's on FIre', this band has delivered a wealth of great music over the years and have established quite a musical legacy, albeit only known and appreciated by a few.

Each track here has the signature Procol uniqueness to it. Save for the immortal 'Whiter Shade', the music really is not radio friendly. It just doesn't 'fit' there... it sounds like it belongs to another world. Yet, it is so interesting, and so diverse. The songs here, all reflect lyricist Keith Reid's maniacal, insightful genius at its most potent. Songs, like 'She Wandered Through the Garen Fence', 'Something Following Me', 'Mabel', 'Kaleidoscope', 'A Christmas Camel', 'Salad Days' are all very unique offbeat tunes that when digesting the lyrics, transform into poetic, quasi-psychotic tales of brilliant, introspective awareness. Therein is the mystical appeal of the band Procol Harum.

Then there is the music. One of the hallmarks of true genius is the ability to create something truly unique, that has not been created before. Such is the music of Procol Harum, a concoction inspired mostly by the magical combination of Gary Brooker's piano, Matt Fisher's Hammond organ, and Brookers smokey', soulful vocals, all framed in a unique esthetic that combines traditional R&B, rock and classical sensibilities, the sound has an instant identity that sets it apart from any other stuff out there. That goes for then, as well as now. The original lineup here which also included the impassioned Robin Trower on guitar created that signature 'Procol' sound that has endured and been recreated by other incarnations of the band since. But here, on this album, is the original and the 'Real McCoy'. They got slicker and more refined, but they never got better than this.

The album concludes in fine fashion, with probably Procol Harum's most memorable of anthem's, aside from 'A Whiter Shade of Pale': 'Repent Walpurgis'. Matthew Fisher is given the authorship credit for this emotional instrumental piece which is a platform for showcasing the dynamic range of the band. Centered around the melodic minor-seventh chords of the verses, the bridge in the middle features a change of mood piano piece by Brooker, which is actually a lift from Bach. It fits so perfectly in the piece, it is like it was always meant to be there. The tune finishes with an extended, passionate, searing overdrive guitar solo by Trower, something that was quite rare in the day that this was recorded, which was pre-Hendrix. A fitting conclusion to the first album by one of the most artistically original and progressive bands in modern history.

A footnote: I have seen Procol Harum perform live on many occasions, including recently. I can honestly say, they have never been better.

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