Record Reviews

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

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