Procol Harum - Procol Harum / A Whiter Shade Of Pale

Jun 7

Procol Harum - Procol Harum / A Whiter Shade Of Pale

“Procol Harum … laid some of the foundation stones of what was to become progressive, or symphonic, rock – even though Brooker thinks of it mostly as ‘modern blues for its time, often with a dark edge.’” — Chris Roberts, Louder

“The success of Procol Harum's debut single, A Whiter Shade of Pale … has long eclipsed the hard-rock might of the group's first album.… Nevertheless, lyricist Keith Reid's surrealist studies in melancholy and mortality rumble with a heavy-R&B noir powered by Matthew Fisher's ruined-church organ, the haunted-Hendrix scream of Robin Trower's guitar and singer-pianist Gary Brooker's white-soul growl. British progressive rock rarely sounded this bold and bruising again.” — David Fricke, Rolling Stone

“This has to be one of the best pop albums ever made. It blends R&B, blues and serious music beautifully. They combine organ and piano, producing a full and intoxicating effect, heightened by the continuity of style throughout the album. The lyrics are all as obscure as those of the single, heightening the dreamy uncertain mood of the suite.… The organ is Bach, the mood is religious and, after the instrumental finale, Repent Walpurgis, it is hard to leave without putting the disc on for another play. This possibly represents the first good bridge between rock and serious music.” — Daniel Reilert, Trinity Tripod

Favourites: A Whiter Shade Of Pale • Conquistador • She Wandered Through the Garden Fence • Something Following Me • A Christmas Camel • Salad Days (Are Here Again)