Record Reviews

PROCOL HARUM ~ A SALTY DOG (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2503 (Barcode: 5013929460348) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of the third studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes, for the last time, all five founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, Hammond organist Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist (who also produced the album), guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, bassist David KnightsFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs, six composed by Brooker or co-composed by him with others, and two each composed by Fisher or Trower, all with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. For the first time three of the songs feature orchestral arrangements. This remastered and expanded edition adds a CD with twelve bonus tracks; A & B sides of a single, a studio outtake, live tracks recorded in the US and five tracks from BBC sessions, those being the only five tracks that are previously unreleased. The musical direction of this album is slightly more diverse than the two previous albums, adding some Pop / Rock oriented material, although the double keyboards dominating sound is still in place and the bombastic Blues based, Gothic and Psychedelic soundscapes are present again, making it clear that this is Procol Harum at its best. In retrospect this album shows that the group was in a constant state of searching, as all great Artists are. This album was to be the last of the trilogy of the epic first three albums by the group recorded in the 1960s which started with the formative "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". The album still sounds great after all those years, and is a refreshing experience for people who have not listened to it for a while. It seems that most of Rock had to say was more or less already articulated by the end of the 1960s. To the many fans of the group this is of course a must have item in their collections. An evergreen by all means and en essential Classic Rock / early Prog milestone!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 31/01/2019

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ BROKEN BARRICADES MUSEA 2104 (Barcode: 3426300021045) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2006 5th album by great British group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, reduced to a quartet following the departure of organist Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist. Led by singer / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, with guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, bassist / organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the group was still very much at the top of their musical power. Brooker´s gift for composing momentous melodies, combined with excellent lyrics written by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, who was a de facto fifth member of the group, made them a unique phenomenon, which can be appreciated even better from the perspective of the decades that passed since their inception. The moody, sometimes gothic atmosphere of medieval spookiness and bluesy undertones beautifully expressed by Trower´s virtuosic guitar licks, are simply stunning. This is a classic example of music, which loses nothing of its qualities over time and an essential piece of the Golden Decade puzzle. A must in any serious Prog collection!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ BROKEN BARRICADES (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2673 (Barcode: 5013929477346) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the fifth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup, same as on its predecessor "HomeFind albums with this title", includes three founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, who also played the bass. This was the second album by the group that was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight songs, five composed by Brooker and three by Trower, with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds nine bonus tracks with alternate tracks and two bonus CDs with live recordings. The first bonus CD presents a US live radio broadcast recorded before the album was released and played by the same four-piece version of the band. It also presents a BBC Radio session recorded six months later by the new five-piece version of the band, put together following Trower´s departure, which also includes guitarist Dave BallFind albums by this artist and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. The second bonus CD presents a live Swedish Radio concert by the same five piece version of the band. The musical direction of this album continues the path set by the group on "Home", being decidedly more Rock oriented, with memorable riffs, orchestral arrangements and the double keyboards still prominently featured. The songs are shorter and more concise, featuring more guitar riffs and up-tempo songs, with shorter instrumental passages, flirting with early Hard Rock. But some of the bombastic Gothic and Psychedelic soundscapes are still present, making it clear that this is still Procol Harum after all. The songwriting is still very strong and these tracks lost nothing of their charm and power over the years. In retrospect this album is a second part of the bridge between the epic first three albums by the group and the rest of their 1970s recordings, which moved beyond the initial concept, which started with the formative "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". The album still sounds great after all those years, and is a refreshing experience for people who have not listened to it for a while. It seems that everything that Rock had to say was more or less already articulated by early 1970s. To the many fans of the group this is of course a must have item in their collections. An evergreen by all means! The live tracks prove that Procol Harum was always a formidable live act and their ability to adopt new players into their lineup as rapidly as they did is still remarkable. Overall this is a brilliant piece of Rock history, which deserves an honorable place in any serious Rock music collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 04/10/2019

CD 3 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ EXOTIC BIRDS AND FRUIT MUSEA 2107 (Barcode: 3426300021076) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2006 8th album by great British group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist and their return to strict group format after two orchestral albums. Led by singer / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, with guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist, organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the group was still at the top of their musical power and this is probably their strongest album of their late period. Brooker´s gift for composing momentous melodies, combined with excellent lyrics written by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, who was a de facto member of the group, made them a unique phenomenon, which can be appreciated even better from the perspective of the decades that passed since their inception. The moody, sometimes gothic atmosphere of medieval spookiness and bluesy undertones beautifully are simply stunning. This is a classic example of music, which loses nothing of its qualities over time and an essential piece of the Golden Decade puzzle. A must in any serious Prog collection!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ EXOTIC BIRDS AND FRUIT (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2633 (Barcode: 5013929473348) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the seventh studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. Guitarist B. J. ColeFind albums by this artist guests on selected tracks. The album was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist, who worked with the group since their fourth studio album "HomeFind albums with this title". The album presents nine songs all composed by Brooker with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds two bonus tracks (B-side of a single and an alternate mix), a bonus CD with a BBC "In Concert" recording and another bonus CD with a radio studio performance recorded in the US. Following the recording of two heavily orchestrated albums (the first live album "Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title" from 1972 and the sixth studio album "Grand HotelFind albums with this title" from 1973) this album marks a "return to basics" Rock attitude with the dominating double keyboards sound and the moody, lyrical tunes perfectly crafted by Brooker. The overall sound and musical approach is closest to the early work of the group since a few years. Brooker´s incredible vocals and the group´s instrumental work are superb in every respect and the production manages to emphasize perfectly their unique ambience. They were also incredibly effective when playing live, as evident on the two bonus CDs. Overall this is one of the strongest albums in the Procol Harum impressive legacy, which offers a wonderful example of their unique stylistic idiosyncrasy, which knows no parallels. It lost absolute nothing of its power and elegance over time and sounds every bit as wonderful as it did at the time of its release. It is obviously an essential item in any serious Classic Rock / Prog collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 29/01/2019

CD 3 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ GRAND HOTEL (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2632 (Barcode: 5013929473249) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the sixth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist (making his first appearance in the group) and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist and includes also an orchestra, choir and guests. Brooker scored the orchestral and choir parts. The album was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist, who worked with the group since their fourth studio album "HomeFind albums with this title". The album presents nine songs all composed by Brooker with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist and is the first album that features exclusively songs written by the duo. This remastered and expanded edition adds five bonus tracks: the title track recorded without the orchestra and choir and four earlier versions of the tracks on the album, which include the guitarist Dave BallFind albums by this artist, who was replaced by Grabham and who took part in the recording in the final version of the album. A bonus DVD presents a concert captured by Belgian TV. This album was largely influenced by the recording of the heavily orchestrated first live album "Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title" from 1972, which preceded it, and follows the Symphonic Prog idiom these two albums represent in the extended legacy of the group. Of course this album presents a wonderful set of entirely new compositions perfectly crafted by Brooker, which include some of his best work ever, whereas the live album was mostly a rework of earlier material. Brooker´s incredible vocals and the group´s instrumental work are superb in every respect and the production and orchestration manages to emphasize perfectly their unique ambience. They were also incredibly effective when playing live, as evident on the bonus DVD. Overall this is one of the strongest albums in the Procol Harum impressive legacy, which offers a wonderful example of their unique stylistic idiosyncrasy, which knows no parallels. It lost absolute nothing of its power and elegance over time and sounds every bit as wonderful as it did at the time of its release. It is obviously an essential item in any serious Classic Rock / Prog collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 28/02/2019

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ HOME (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2505 (Barcode: 5013929460546) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of the fourth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes three founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, who also played the bass. All four of them were members of the group The ParamountsFind albums by this artist before Procol Harum was formed, and this reunion is celebrated by the album´s title, which was a homecoming of sorts. This was the first album by the group that was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs, seven composed by Brooker and two by Trower, with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds a CD with eleven bonus tracks; demos, alternate takes and alternate mixes and two tracks from a BBC session, those being the only two tracks that are previously unreleased. The musical direction of this album is somewhat different from the three previous albums, being decidedly more Rock oriented, although the double keyboards dominating sound is still in place. The songs are shorter and more concise, featuring more guitar riffs and up-tempo songs, with shorter instrumental passages, flirting with early Hard Rock. But some of the bombastic Gothic and Psychedelic soundscapes are still present, making it clear that this is still Procol Harum after all. In retrospect this album is a bridge between the epic first three albums by the group and the rest of their 1970s recordings, which moved beyond the initial concept, which started with the formative "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". The album still sounds great after all those years, and is a refreshing experience for people who have not listened to it for a while. It seems that everything that Rock had to say was more or less already articulated by 1970. To the many fans of the group this is of course a must have item in their collections. An evergreen by all means!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 29/01/2019

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ LIVE: IN CONCERT WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSEA 2105 (Barcode: 3426300021052) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2006 6th album by great British group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist and their first live recording, which was a very ambitious undertaking and consists of a series of Procol Harum earlier compositions arranged especially for a symphony orchestra playing with a rock group. Although not a first attempt of such kind, this was one of the first and by far one of the best such efforts ever attempted. The band´s music suits the Classical idiom better then any music written by their contemporaries to start with. The band was expanded to a quintet following the addition of bassists Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. Led by singer / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, with guitarist Dave BallFind albums by this artist, organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the group was at the top of their musical power. Brooker´s gift for composing momentous melodies, combined with excellent lyrics written by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, who was a de facto member of the group, made them a unique phenomenon, which can be appreciated even better from the perspective of the decades that passed since their inception. The moody, sometimes gothic atmosphere of medieval spookiness and bluesy undertones are simply stunning. This is a classic example of music, which loses nothing of its qualities over time and an essential piece of the Golden Decade puzzle. A must in any serious Prog collection!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ LIVE: IN CONCERT WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2650 (Barcode: 5013929475045) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the first live album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dave BallFind albums by this artist and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. The group is accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist and the Da Camera SingersFind albums by this artist choir. The album presents five songs, one of which is the five-part suite originating from their second studio album "Shine On BrightlyFind albums with this title", two originate from their third studio album "A Salty DogFind albums with this title" and one each originates from their eponymous debut album and their fourth studio album "HomeFind albums with this title", all composed by Brooker or co-composed with Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. All these songs have been re-arranged to include the orchestral and choral parts. The album was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds five bonus tracks (B-side of a single and four tracks taken from the concert rehearsals), two of which are previously unreleased. Although by far not the first attempt to combine Rock with Symphonic music, this is definitely one of the most successful attempts to do so, mostly due to the very nature of the early Procol Harum music, which was to some extent based on Classical Music themes and influences, making such amalgamation natural and logical. Brooker manages to balance the group´s parts and the orchestral / choral parts into a non-conflicting tapestry of sound, which achieves a striking result. It is quite difficult to imagine today (2019) how pioneering and forward thinking this album really was at the time, when idioms like cross-genre / multi-cultural / multilateral were not even invented. The music was neatly sub-divided into serious (i.e. Classical Music) and popular (i.e. Pop / Rock) with Jazz being a strange fruit and World Music still being largely undiscovered. Any attempts to create something which defied these "norms" were usually met with suspicion and often outright animosity. But of course these were also the years of great musical discovery (The Golden Decade 1965-1975), as this wonderful album proves. Overall this is definitely an absolutely essential piece of Rock history and a must in any decent record collection, which any true music connoisseur should be proud to own. A timeless gem!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 29/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ NOVUS EAGLE 659 (Barcode: 5034504165922) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the twelfth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It is separated by fourteen years from the band´s previous studio album "The Well`s On FireFind albums with this title". Although the only founding member of Procol Harum still present on this album is vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, the sound and the musical style of the group remain pretty stable over time. The piano / Hammond organ double keyboards dominated sound, which has been the group´s trademark over time, is here and so are Brooker´s unique dramatic vocals. The Hammond is handled by Josh PhilipsFind albums by this artist, the bluesy guitar by Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist, the bass by Matt PeggFind albums by this artist (son of the legendary Dave PeggFind albums by this artist) and the drums by Geoff DunnFind albums by this artist. The album offers eleven new songs, almost all co-composed by Brooker and Philips. This is the first album by the band which features lyrics by the poet Pete BrownFind albums by this artist (of CreamFind albums by this artist and Jack BruceFind albums by this artist fame) after decades of working with the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. Musically the album does not break any new ground, but it stays, as already mentioned above, faithful to the band´s tradition to produce highly melodic lyrical and even melancholic songs, which often amalgamate elements of British Folk and some Classical Music influences. Brown´s lyrics are perhaps less ominous and mysterious, but they are full of his whimsical metaphors and dry British humor, which is all for the best. The songs vary in their intensity and expressiveness, but the best of them are certainly up to par with the great legacy of Procol Harum at its best. Overall it is mostly "more of the same", which in the case of a band like Procol Harum is quite a compliment. I had a great fun listening to these songs and the idea that someone is still able to write music like this is a lifesaver. Not everything has to change in time, and for Classic Rock fans staying in the past means staying alive. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 27/01/2019Posted: 27/01/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ PROCOL HARUM (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2497 (Barcode: 5013929459748) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of the first studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes the five founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, Hammond organist Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, bassist David KnightsFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents tens songs, nine composed by Brooker and one composed by Fisher, all with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. The UK version of the album did not include the celebrated single "The Whiter Shade Of Pale" (co-composed by Brooker and Fisher), which was recorded earlier with a different bassist and drummer, and which is included here in three different versions amongst the bonus tracks. This remastered and expanded edition adds ten bonus tracks (A & B sides of two singles and six outtakes and alternate mixes), one previously unreleased, and a bonus CD with seventeen bonus tracks, ten further alternate versions and mixes and seven live BBC recordings, with the seven BBC tracks being previously unreleased. The musical direction of this album introduces the double keyboards dominating sound and the bombastic Blues based, Gothic and Psychedelic soundscapes, which characterize the first three epic albums by the group recorded in the 1960s, which started with the formative "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". This innovative sound and the typical British aesthetic approach, which was open already at these pioneering days to venture into early cross-genre explorations was what made this music so striking and irresistible. If Procol Harum had only created "The Whiter Shade Of Pale" and then disappeared from the face of the earth, they would have earned fame and glory for posterity, as this is undoubtedly the greatest Rock song of all time. No other song written since managed to come even close to the majestic punch between the ears this song delivered to the human race. The fact that the group managed to follow their debut single with a long and exquisite string of albums and a career that lasts for over five decades is one of the most wondrous stories in Rock history. It is important to understand that this album is a milestone in music history, breaking the accepted prevailing sentiment about (not-serious) popular music. It proves that popular music is capable of being as sophisticated, innovative and groundbreaking as Classical Music, which was considered up to that point as the only "serious" and artistically / aesthetically valid form of music. The album still sounds great after all those years, and is a refreshing experience for people who have not listened to it for a while. It seems that most of what Rock had to say was more or less already articulated by the end of the 1960s. To the many fans of the group this is of course a must have item in their collections. An evergreen by all means and en essential Classic Rock / early Prog milestone!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 01/02/2019

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ PROCOL`S NINTH MUSEA 2108 (Barcode: 3426300021083) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006 9th album by great British group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist featuring the same lineup as its predecessor "Exotic Birds And FruitFind albums with this title". Although the group was almost at the end of its long career at the time and this album was to be one before the last they recorded ("Something MagicFind albums with this title"), it certainly doesn´t show any signs of weariness or lack of inspiration. Full of great songs, including the outstanding "Pandora´s Box", which is a great reminder of their debut single "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", the album is perhaps the rockiest one they ever recorded but still well within the unique parameters that characterize their output. For the first time the album´s arrangements include a subtle support of a brass section, which works beautifully. With Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist´s incredible voice strong as ever and his composing abilities paired with Keith ReidFind albums by this artist´s (who for the first time gets to pictured with the other band members on the front cover) lyrics being at their peak, this album is a classic and an essential piece of the Golden Decade puzzle. A must in any serious Prog collection!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ PROCOL`S NINTH (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2652 (Barcode: 5013929475243) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the eighth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It was the group´s ninth album overall, including the live album "Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title", released three years earlier, hence the album´s title. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. The album was produced by the celebrated team of American producers / songwriters Jerry LeiberFind albums by this artist and Mike StollerFind albums by this artist, known for their pioneering work in Rock And Roll, who also contributed one of their songs on the album. Brooker wrote eight songs which feature lyrics by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist and the album also includes the group´s interpretation of a BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, which marks the first album on which the band included material not written by the band´s members. This remastered and expanded edition adds eight bonus tracks (early versions of the songs on the original album) five of which are previously unreleased. Two bonus CDs are also included, the first featuring a live show recorded in the US and the second featuring a live show recorded in UK, with all the material on both the CDs being previously unreleased except for four tracks. The American production influenced the overall sound and ambience of the group´s music, with this album being the most Pop / Rock oriented release of their original streak of the first nine studio albums released between 1967 and 1977. The music is more straightforward and features fewer instrumental passages. But all things considered Brooker´s incredible vocals and the group´s instrumental work are superb in every respect and the production manages not to distort their unique ambience. The group was also incredibly effective when playing live, as evident on the two bonus CDs. Overall this is another strong album in the Procol Harum impressive legacy, which offers a wonderful example of their unique stylistic idiosyncrasy, which knows no parallels. It lost absolute nothing of its power and elegance over time and sounds every bit as wonderful as it did at the time of its release. It is obviously an essential item in any serious Classic Rock / Prog collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 14/02/2019

CD 3 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ SHINE ON BRIGHTLY (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2500 (Barcode: 5013929460041) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of the second studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. This album´s lineup includes the five founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, Hammond organist Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, bassist David KnightsFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven songs, one of which is a five-part suite, five composed by Brooker and two co-composed by him and Fisher (including the suite), all with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds three bonus tracks (Italian version of the title tracks and A & B sides of a single), a bonus CD with mono mix of the album, which was previously unreleased on CD, and a second bonus CD with seventeen tracks, nine of which ale alternate versions and outtakes and eight are BBC recordings, those last eight being the only previously unreleased tracks. The musical direction of this album solidifies and perfects the innovative and brilliant achievement of the debut album with the double keyboards dominating sound and the bombastic Blues based, Gothic and Psychedelic soundscapes present again, now brought to an epic climax, illuminating Procol Harum at their absolute best. The suite was one of the first attempts to present such complex and eloquent musical piece within the Rock idiom. In retrospect this album shows that the group was in a constant state of development, as all great Artists are. This album was also to be the most impressive of the trilogy consisting of the first three epic albums by the group recorded in the 1960s, which started with the formative "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". It is important to understand that this album is a milestone in music history, breaking the accepted prevailing sentiment about (not-serious) popular music. It proves that popular music is capable of being as sophisticated, innovative and groundbreaking as Classical Music, which was considered up to that point as the only "serious" and artistically / aesthetically valid form of music. The album still sounds great after all those years, and is a refreshing experience for people who have not listened to it for a while. It seems that most of what Rock had to say was more or less already articulated by the end of the 1960s. To the many fans of the group this is of course a must have item in their collections. An evergreen by all means and en essential Classic Rock / early Prog milestone!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 01/02/2019

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ SOMETHING MAGIC (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2740 (Barcode: 5013929474086) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the ninth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock / Progressive Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago and the group´s tenth album overall. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with keyboardist Pete SolleyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist and bassist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist. The album, recorded in Miami at the highly respected Criteria Studios, was co-produced by the group and the team of brothers Ron AlbertFind albums by this artist and Howie AlbertFind albums by this artist, who were the sound engineers. Brooker wrote five songs, one a lengthy three-part suite over nineteen minutes long, which feature lyrics by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist and Grabham added one song also with lyrics by Raid. Three of the songs include wonderful orchestrations, including the a.m. suite. This remastered and expanded edition adds three bonus tracks (a B-side of a single and two live demo tracks, eventually not included on the original album). A bonus CD features a BBC Radio Concert from March 1977. On this album the American co-production had a more limited, if any, influence on the overall sound and ambience of the group´s music, which returned to their classic Prog oriented direction. This album closes the cycle of their original streak of the first nine studio albums released between 1967 and 1977. Brooker´s incredible vocals and the group´s instrumental work are superb in every respect and the group was also incredibly effective when playing live, as evident on the bonus CD. The initial reception to the album was very cold and the album did not chart on either side of the pond, which of course had nothing to do with the quality of the music, but with the changing musical atmosphere and the Punk revolt against anything reasonably musical. Overall this is another strong album in the Procol Harum impressive legacy, which offers a wonderful example of their unique stylistic idiosyncrasy, which knows no parallels. It lost absolute nothing of its power and elegance over time and sounds every bit as wonderful as it did at the time of its release. It is obviously an essential item in any serious Classic Rock / Prog collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 20/03/2021

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ THE PRODIGAL STRANGER (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2634 (Barcode: 5013929473447) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1991 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the tenth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It is separated by fourteen years from the group´s previous studio album "Something MagicFind albums with this title", which was the last of a string of alums the group recorded at a steady paste in the 1960s and 1970s. This album marks the return of the founding member, Hammond organ player Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, who left the group after the recording of their third studio album "A Salty DogFind albums with this title". As a result three founding members of Procol Harum are present on this album: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and Fisher. The group´s other members on this album are bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist. The album offers twelve new songs, all composed or co-composed by Brooker with Fisher and producer Matt NobleFind albums by this artist. The lyrics are as usual by the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. The album is dedicated to B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the groups founding member drummer, who died in 1990. This remastered and expanded edition adds three previously unreleased bonus tracks: two demos and one live track. The release of the album was followed by a tour promoting the album. Trower refused to tour and was replaced by Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist. The tour yielded the second live album by the group entitled "One More TimeFind albums with this title". Musically the album does not follow closely the classic Procol Harum sound and musical direction and in retrospect is the groups most straightforward Pop / Rock oriented album in their entire career. In spite of the double keyboards (piano and Hammond organ) the production shifts the overall soundscape into more contemporary (at the time) environment, which sadly damages the result. The basic melodies and the lyrics are still potentially great, but the album does not reach the same level of depth and the characteristic Procol Harum ambience, as one would have hoped for. As the A/M live album proves, the material was much better suited for concerts than for an intimate home listening experience. Nevertheless it is still a solid Classic Rock album, which can be enjoyed by the many fans of the group and an important document of the group´s illustrious musical legacy.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 28/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ THE WELL`S ON FIRE EAGLE 209 (Barcode: 5034504120921) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003 This is the eleventh studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It is separated by twelve years from the group´s previous studio album "The Prodigal StrangerFind albums with this title". Although only two founding members of Procol Harum are still present on this album: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and Hammond organ player Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, the sound and the musical style of the group remain pretty stable over time. The piano / Hammond organ double keyboards dominated sound, which has been the group´s trademark over time, is here and so are Brooker´s unique dramatic vocals. The group´s other members are guitarist Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist, bassist Matt PeggFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist. The album offers twelve new songs, almost all composed by Brooker except for a couple of Fisher´s contributions, and one instrumental piece by Fisher. The lyrics are as usual by the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. Musically the album does not break any new ground, but it stays, as already mentioned above, faithful to the band´s tradition to produce highly melodic lyrical and even melancholic songs, which often amalgamate elements of British Folk and some Classical Music influences. It is perhaps more Rock oriented than earlier releases, but not dramatically so. Reid´s lyrics are, as usual, full of meaningful statements, moral and social observations and other characteristics of his writing, which are in complete contrast to contemporary monosyllable dominated monstrosities that pass for lyrics. The songs vary in their intensity and expressiveness, but the best of them are certainly up to par with the great legacy of Procol Harum at its best. Overall it is mostly "more of the same", which in the case of a band like Procol Harum is quite a compliment. The group extensive touring and their ability to produce new material gained them a solid following and fan base among the next generation of music lovers, that did not grown up in the glow of their early stardom, which can only be said about very few other Classic Rock groups out there. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 28/01/2019Posted: 28/01/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ROBIN TROWER ~ THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS WOUNDED BIRD 6033 (Barcode: 664140603325) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1988 - 1990 Released: 2020 This is a 2CD reissue of the 11th and 12th solo studio albums by the legendary British Rock guitarist / songwriter Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist, released on AtlanticFind albums on this label Records in 1988 and 1990 respectively. CD1 is the album “Take What You NeedFind albums with this title”, which was recorded in a quartet setting with vocalist Davey PattisonFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete ThompsonFind albums by this artist. It presents nine tracks, all written by Trower or co-written with Bronze. This edition adds one bonus track, which is a live version of one of the original album tracks. CD2 is the album “In The Line Of FireFind albums with this title”, which was recorded in a quintet setting with vocalist Davey Pattison, keyboardist Bobby MayoFind albums by this artist, bassist John ReaganFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony BeardFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks, most written or co-written by Trower, with two originating from other sources. Two tracks feature lyrics by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, Trower’s Procol HarumFind albums by this artist cohort. Following his departure from the iconic Procol Harum, Trower pursues a solo career since 1973, with dozens of albums to his credit. He manages miraculously to stick to his own formula of creative Blues-Rock, which he follows in the sixth decade of his career. His guitar playing is still sharp and clear-cut and his vocals are still as powerful as always, and he does not need to reinvent himself or search for any new avenues, doing what he does best. His many fans love his music, and that’s what matters the most. There are very few Rock personalities of his statue and legacy still standing today and every new album he releases is an unmistakable blast, on which he definitely takes, as usual, no prisoners. Overall, these are excellent Blues-Rock albums, with beautifully melodic tunes, solid vocals and sensational guitar playing, which has but a few contenders. The reissue is a most welcomed opportunity to grab a copy of the them. Trower’s many followers need no encouragement of course and some of the self-proclaimed new guitar aces would be wise to take a listen. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 09/12/2023Posted: 20/10/2023

CD 2 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend