| Procol Harum is an English rock band, formed in the 1960s, who built an important foundation for what would become progressive rock, or perhaps more closely, symphonic rock.They are best known for their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which is not only a regular item on classic singles polls, but is also regarded as being a seminal track in the development of pop music and particularly progressive rock music.Procol Harum have had a devoted following throughout their career; their music, although being principally noted for its classical influence, also embraces the blues and pure pop music.Beginnings
Procol Harum started from a live band, The Paramounts, led by Gary Brooker and Robin Trower.They were unable to recreate this success, however, and the band fell apart in 1966.Paramounts Keith Reid (poet), Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, guitarist Ray Royer and bassist David Knights.The name of the band is frequently misspelled; often with Procul, Harem, both, or other variations.Paramount) Bill Eyden, producer Denny Cordell, and sound engineer Keith Grant, the group recorded "A Whiter Shade of Pale."The song was officially released on May 12, 1967.After "A Whiter Shade of Pale" became a hit, the band set out to consolidate their studio success by touring; their live debut was opening for Jimi Hendrix in 1967 (see 1967 in music).LP Procol Harum, was less successful (it was recorded soon between the two hit singles, but was held back until early 1968 and in mono and phony stereo, which was unusual by that time).US and UK, though rarely both at the same time.The title track in particular gained a good deal of US FM radio airplay, with Reid's ominous lyrics in the forefront.However, Fisher, who produced this album, departed the band soon after its release.Gary Brooker (piano and lead vocals), Robin Trower (guitar and lead vocals), Matthew Fisher (organ and lead vocals), David Knights (bass), B.Wilson (drums), and Keith Reid (lyricist).Brooker's and Fisher's structured classical rock sound.US Billboard Chart in 1973.More personnel problems contributed to declining sales in the later part of the 1970s, with "Pandora's Box" being their final UK top 20 hit in 1975; the band finally broke up in 1977 (see 1977 in music).BRIT Awards, part of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee.The band reformed in 1991 (see 1991 in music) with Brooker, Fisher, Trower and Reid (Wilson had died in 1990), and released The Prodigal Stranger, but sales were modest.After the album's release, a new incarnation of the band, with Brooker and Fisher but not Trower, toured the US and the world for a few years in the first half of the nineties.The concert, at Redhill, drew fans from all over the world."Beyond the Pale" in October 1997.Unusual for fan websites, 'Beyond the Pale' prides itself on being updated on a daily basis.Typical updates include the latest Procol Harum news, details of concerts from the 1970s and occasionally messages from the band.This then led to The Palers' Project, in which the fans got together to record three double CD albums of Procol Harum songs in novel arrangements, which in turn financed the web site.Copenhagen was released on DVD in 2002.Fisher quit Procol Harum in 2004.In June 2006 they played at the Isle of Wight festival, the only act also to have played the original festival in 1969.Later in 2006 they played in Switzerland, Norway and Denmark, but with Geoff Dunn replacing Mark Brzezicki on drums, reportedly because the latter's other band Casbah Club was touring with The Who.Procol Harum played an orchestral concert at the outdoor opera venue Dalhalla (near Rattvik) in Sweden on June 30th.This took the form of two concerts at St John's, Smith Square in London."Sister Mary" and "Missing Persons".Reid that had either never been recorded, never been performed live before or were significantly different from the version they recorded.Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.The asteroid 14024 Procol Harum is named after the band.DVD recordings
1999 The Best of Musikladen Live
2002 Live
2004 Live at the Union Chapel.Procol Harum, the Orchid.Text of one of Douglas Adams's introductions of Procol Harum in concert.Bruce Eder's history of the band
TrowerPower.This page was last modified 04:12, 7 January 2008.All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.Procol Harum that everyone else sees.Organist Matthew Fisher, there from the beginning and now back in the ranks, neatly encapsulates the enigma that is Procol Harum.We really enjoy playing challenging things.Geoff Whitehorn who, since filling the sizeable boots of Paul Kossoff in Back Street Crawler, has supplied guitar by appointment to Roger Chapman, Elkie Brooks, Paul Rodgers, Roger Daltrey and several more of the British rock aristocracy.The stately 'Homburg' reached Number 6 in the wake of 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale', but the band's first, eponymous LP failed to include either of the hits and so failed to chart at home.Rob was, of course, part of the band for five albums.Chris Thomas in the same studio for about five albums and it was definitely time for a change.Internet was just starting and people were going into chatrooms and finding fellow Procol fans.At the same time US radio stations were talking to me as if Procol, who they have great respect for, still existed.Prodigal Stranger' in 1991 which reunited Brooker, Reid, Fisher and Trower.So we actually got a bit disgusted with the whole business.But Procol, once reborn, refused to return to hibernation.Reid partnership is in top form, both in content and delivery.Procol Harum is a soul and blues band which has these other influences because of the people who are there.Those old hits will be in evidence alongside the new material when Procol Harum play European dates in the UK and Germany in March.Some of them are astonishingly relevant.Suffice to say that Melody Maker is no longer with us but Procol Harum rock on in all their splendour, a galleon in full sail.Charts
Concerts
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463,583 plays scrobbled on Last.Procol Harum's claim to fame is 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', a huge hit in 1967.One of the nicest ballads ever, imo.Why isn't Pandora's Box on the top 50 tracks?It was a while since I listened to them, but just a about a week ago I tried to listen to Shine on Brightly (the record) and was quite blown away.Great band, and I especially love Matthew Fisher's organ, great stuff!PH and it's been like this for almost three years.It's a pity it's so underrated.I'm surprised this band doesn't have more listenings!!One of the best bands ever.Not as good as The Beatles, but as good as Pink Floyd and even better then Queen.An old acquaintance Procol Harum is, but a week ago when I got my hands on 'Grand Hotel' and started listening to it I remembered how great their music is.Fires (which shine brightly)' is marvellous.Nothing rocks me harder than Exotic Birds.Salty Dog along with Grand Hotel have always been my favourites.Im going to see them soon.When we called out for another drink,...The room was humming harder...Salty Dog is indeed sheer brilliance.If you'd like to add some events for Procol Harum then you can do so on this page.We're conducting a survey and would like your input.Web Site Support
Last.Why Have Cotton When You Can Have Audioscrobbler?You have no recently viewed items or searches.Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.Hours() * 3600 + currentTime.Join Amazon Prime today.Available from these sellers.See all 17 customer reviews...Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?To hear a song sample, click on "Listen" by that sample.Visit our audio help page for more information.Westside of their debutalbum with 10 bonus tracks.All tracks are remastered from the original albumproduction master tape.The booklet includes previously unpublished photos.Sheet music for Procol harum at Sheet Music Plus.Send Procol Harum ringtones to your cell phone now!Add a iframe that allows us to ping the server when this element becomes visible
a9AdsViewNamespace.Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.See all 349 customer reviews...Well, Procol Harum really doesn't have anything in common with The Doors except the prominence of Matthew Fisher's organ.Lyrically and musically The Doors veered from bluesy to pretentious claptrap.Procol Harum (the name is an alliteration of a latin term)appeared out of nowhere in 1967 with A Whiter Shade of Pale.The original UK album didn't have the hit single on it (it was added for the US and other countries).Although Keith Reid's lyrics can occasionally be a bit obtuse, most of his words lack the pretense of many other lyricists of the time.Matthew Fisher's organ was a prominent feature on the three albums (he was gone by album four entitled Home).The melody for the hit single Pale (included here as a bonus track and on the terrific recent reissue from BGO Records)borrows the melody and chords from a piece by Bach and manages to spin it into rock gold.Robin Trower appears on a number of tracks but since Procol Harum wasn't really a band until after the single and his guitar isn't quite as omnipresent as on later releases.Just about every song on Procol Harum is a gem.Sadly there isn't a true stereo mix of this fine album so much of the detail is lost in the mono mix (there is a 1997 remix of Pale on Classic Tracks and Rarities that sounds beautiful).Was this review helpful to you?Your vote will be counted and will appear on the product page within 24 hours."Along with The Moody Blues' "Nights In White Satin," Procol Harum helped introduce classical rock to the world with their smash hit, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale."Gary Brooker, is a winning combination that still sets this marvelous band apart from all the rest."Conquistador" (later a hit in a live version), "She Wandered Through The Garden Fence," the outrageous fun of "Mabel," the rocking "Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of)", "A Christmas Camel," "Kaleidoscope," and organist Matthew Fisher's signature instrumental, "Repent Walpurgis."Wilson and bassist David Knights, while Keith Reid's lyrics are true poetry.Still going strong 36 years later, Procol Harum are a rock institution, and still one of the world's finest bands.They couldn't have had a better album to launch into the musical world with: "Procol Harum" is a definite rock classic.Was this review helpful to you?The Truth Is Plain To See.....European classical music and American jazz ) and still produce genuine art.Rock music instruments could be used to perform without the music itself losing its Rock identity.This led to a lot of experimenting in the attempt to broaden what was possible for Rock music.This challenge produced many interesting results that made the mid to late 60's one of the most interesting periods in Rock music history.Rock, the distinctive instrument blend that Dylan had successfully established on HIGHWAY 61 and the colloquial poetic approach to song lyrics also established by Dylan.It is difficult to convey, if you were not there at the time it appeared, just how impressive and moving it was.It was second to none, though it is a subject for an entire other review why it did not then reap the acclaim it deserved.Rock critic Paul Williams knew better, though he too was wrong in claiming direct mutual influence between PH and the The Band.Over the years they have only become more meaningful for me.It is a truly artistic voice.He is not some belated baroque musician.Though Robin Trower is obviously another of the British Boys overwhelmed by the great American blues guitarists, his playing actually sounds like no one else.Only Jeff Beck has a similar gift.Would that all young Rock drummers would learn from him!Procol Harum album, SALTY DOG, bassist David Knights was let go because of an inability or a refusal to be more improvisational in his playing.Procol Harum sound on those first albums.This first album, by what became and remained my favorite Rock band, became an essential part of my love of the best Rock music.American release on vinyl containing A WHITER SHADE OF PALE.This recording became an instant treasure to me and the thought of a second Procol Harum album made my blood rush.Procol Harum before the second album came out and heard some of the material live that would be on that album.Procol Harum with great love since that time.PH albums, SHINE ON BRIGHTLY, A SALTY DOG, and HOME.See all 17 customer reviews...Procol Harum is a bit of an enigma.They are band still performing to enthusiastic loyal (if small in number) crowds after more than 40 years.Years ahead of its time
Although "A Whiter Shade of Pale" routinely makes the top ten on classic rock stations' "best of all time" countdowns, it was inexplicably left off Procol Harum's debut album,...Whiter Shade of Pale" and "Homburg," Procol Harum were actually art rockers of the highest order.Procol Harum's career has been thought to have begun and ended with the great hit single A Whiter Shade Of Pale.My feelings about the songs are not presented as authoritative.Procol's best early album
What an amazing album.British version of the Doors?Hitting the airwaves about the same time as did the Doors, these guys are probably the act that sounded the most similar to them, and somewhat paralleled them in terms of overall...Procol Harum did for classical European music.Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing Items Like This?It was another good year.Music You Should Hear: Artists' PicksWant to know what Norah Jones, Sting, and Il Divo are listening to?For more about music, check out our blog, Amazon Earworm, and our monthly newsletters, Amazon Delivers.If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.View or change your orders in Your Account.Visit our Help department.You have no recently viewed items or searches.After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.Listen to Procol Harum now.Popular Brand Stores on CatalogLink. |
