Ranking the Studio Albums: Procol Harum
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Join host Pete Pardo as he ranks the studio albums of the great British progressive/art rock act Procol Harum. #procolharum
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B.J. Wilson AMAZING drummer...one of my all time favorites!!!!
Jimmy Page wanted to get him in Zeppelin, and he was first choice ahead of Bonham. Turned Page down.
@@jimmycampbell78 si e' vero...comunque wilson e' il batterista di The rock picture show
@@jimmycampbell78 NEVA KNEW!
A tragic character. Full blown self-destructive alcoholic. Sad.
@@fgb3126how do you know
Grand Hotel was the firat album I bought with them, when it came out. It’s still my favourite album with PC. A masterpiece if you ask me.
That is pretty much my favorite too,I am with you on that😉👍🤘😝🎆!!!!
@@domico5838 Tru Dat!!
Sono d'accordo con te! Salutoni dall'Italia👩🏭
@@domico5838 å
Glad to see you covering these guys. Definitely one of the first prog (or proto-prog) groups that influenced all others (especially Genesis), but no matter; they are absolutely brilliant. Excellent songwriting, interesting chord sequences, literate, thought-provoking lyrics... the works. An intriguing mix of Bach with blues and soul sensibilities. Gary Brooker has one of the most amazing voices, and to date, he has the nerve to *still* sound good. Not bad for a septuagenarian, eh? :-)
I own the 10 studio albums up to 1991, so I'll only be ranking those (with comments). Here I go:
#10. The Prodigal Stranger (Generally solid, even if it doesn't get much play. The Truth Won't Fade Away, and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle are my favorites.)
#9. Procol's Ninth (Good, but I thought the covers were really unnecessary, especially Eight Days A Week.)
#8. Something Magic (This one is not nearly as bad as many say. Gorgeous, lush and orchestral, the writing is still brilliant.)
#7. Home (Great album. Two passing observations: About To Die sounds like these guys were fans of The Band, and the grand, ascending melody that caps off Whaling Stories seems to have found its way, note-for-note, into Day of The Dreamer by Renaissance later in the same decade.)
#6. Broken Barricades (The last with Trower...from the classic period, anyway. Not much I need to say here.)
#5. Procol Harum (Awesome all the way through, but for now, I'll give special mention to Repent Walpurgis.)
#4. Exotic Birds and Fruit (Very underrated. Everything on here is solid, with the darkly elegant Beyond The Pale being my favorite.)
#3. Shine on Brightly (The debut was brilliant, but I believe this upped the ante. In Held Twas In I is equal parts whimsical, diabolical and creepy, while the title cut is actually my top favorite here.)
#2. Grand Hotel (Lush, elegant, exquisite melodies and arrangements, and some pretty interesting lyrics and wordplay. A Souvenir of London is something else.)
#1. A Salty Dog (Is the title cut not one of the most immaculate things you've ever heard? My favorite Harum tune. But, that's just the cherry on top; I love this album the most from top to bottom.)
SO SAD...to see him GO. A Few days ago. Singin' w/the Angelic Choir. Knockin' 'em DEAD (sts) w/that AMAZING voce of his!n RIP Brooker.
I think that Conquistador live with the Edmonton Orchestra is one of the greatest classic rock performed with symphonic orchestra
.......darn right...still got the original single from '72.....you should give the flip-side "Luskus Delph" a listen too....a little known PH classic....
@@chatham43 a salty dog...concerto in danimarca 2006. Da brividi....
Concerto in Danimarca 2006. Procol Harum da brividi....
I think this is the concert that Lorena is mentioning....'06 concert in Ledrebog, Denmark w/ the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir (that's what you would enter to listen on youtube), best version of AWSOP ever.
@@chatham43 Luskus Delph originally on Anotha GREAT LP....Broken Barricades, which was the Last w/Robin. The bird done flew de coup!
Very underrated group and one of my all-time favorites.
Excellent review. One of the greatest and most underrated pioneers of the prog rock era. My top 5-
Procol Harum
Shine on Brightly
Home
Salty Dog
ExoticBirds and Fruit.
I love Trower's guitar work on "Simple Sister." A raw, loud guitar sound, along with a bluesy Brooker vocal, and then the contrast of those elements with Procol's "big sound" as the full arrangement of orchestra/brass comes in towards the end of the song.
They were Truly 'FULL STEAM AHEAD' at this point, from the writing to the unapologetic ROCKING, and the great Ballads too! TO BAD it DIDN'T LAST! Would've LOVED one or two MORE like 'Barricades'. It ALSO Spotlighted the pollution that was already rampant in the World's Oceans. A theme that was never too far from Keith Reids sometimes dark and always mercurial sensibilities - the Ocean, that is. The SEA.
SO TRUE!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS PALERS!!
Great to see a review of the Procol Harum albums Pete,for me,the first ever Prog Band.
Would be great to see you do an interview with Gary Brooker about the history of the band,he comes across as such a humourous,witty & down to earth bloke.
Thanks, Pete. Absolutely love this band. Such a solid discography that gets overshadowed by WSOP.
Yes I totally agree with you procol harem one of the rock bands of all time even the who. Genesis was inspired by procol
Shine On Brightly....my favourite, and the first hearing of Procol Harum for me. It was June, 1970, after my bassist bought the LP from the nephew of jazz legend Errol Garner. (Yes, I did meet him!) His nephew was my best friend in 1965. My bassist said: "Wayne, you should like them because they have a piano AND an organ!" He placed the needle on the disc and then the explosion of joy erupted from the grooves with "Quite Rightly So." Then "Shine On Brightly" followed and blew me away. So these tunes, in reverse order, are my all-time favourites. Being a classically-trained pianist and band organist, it was love at first hearing.
I really enjoyed your video. I could tell that you are emotionally tied to this band: The passion is in your voice. Thanks for posting.
The Harum is my favorite all-time band since 1970. Saw them first in ‘73 and many times since. My top 5: Exotic Birds and Fruit. Home. Procol Harum. Grand Hotel. A Salty Dog.
A Whiter shade of pale is one of the best songs ever.... That melody is just absolute heaven for my ears ;)
There's a surprisingly soulful Sammy Hagar and Neil Schon version.
One of the best bands of all time.
Hey Pete. In light of Gary's passing I enjoyed watching this video for the great memories. I think Salty Dog is above Procol Harum but below Home...but it's not easy. That 1st record is quite amazing really. Like you I'd change my mind next week. Barricades I think is 5- Procol Harum 4 Salty - 3 Home-2 shine # 1 absolutely for In Held....But In Held is best live in Canada I think. RIP Gary...what a sad sad week its been. Novum for me is the weakest...Prodigal has some great tunes and hearing that voice again after years was a gift.
Broken Barricades is my favorite Procol Harum album with Grand Hotel close behind.
Boken Barricades and Home are my favorites...
@@mikepatrick5909 oui ok! c'est ce que je préfère , je regrette l'absence de l' album live ai CANADA , qui n'est pas présenté....
I guess because there's no cute celebrity aspect to the band - thank heavens - they remain appreciated mainly by well - tuned ears.
Thanks for highlighting the amazing, legendary Procol Harum!! They're still a stunning band - catch them live, when live concerts happen again.
Procol has had a history of excellent accomplished players but the key members that define Procol Harum and made them unique the first 10 years were Brooker and BJ Wilson. Title track A Salty Dog owes a great deal to BJ's majestic drumming. Toujours L'amour is a classic example of how dynamic the combo of piano and drums can sound from my favourite PH album Grand Hotel (beautifully produced by Chris Thomas).
Nice first post! Big fan Pete. My iTunes library has grown exponentially because of your channel. Keep up the great work!
Hey! Same thing with my ITunes! LOL
Same for me but I don't download. My cd/vinyl collection has doubled since watching his channel. Such a wealth of knowledge on this channel.
I can't wait for Ranking the Studio Albums of The Moody Blues
I swear, he's been mentioning it intermittently for the last month or so... but it's yet to happen.
He said he didn't have many albums.
@@davidgreenberg5517 Anything after _The Present_ I don't care about; even if it's just their 'Core 7' albums, I'll accept it, since I imagine that's all most of us care about anyway.
That would be great
Hell yeah. Love the Moodies. Only problem is I know he will knock the two late 80's gems that they made. He always rips the "too commercial" sounding albums even though it's some bands best.
Wow! There was no way I thought you would pick my favorite as yours. By the way, being into vinyl, that is the British release cover. The American LP version was quite different. Sort of an "undersea/desert scene with a pronounced greenish tinge with a standing mannequin playing a piano." It was also a gatefold with the inside a black and white picture of the band, one of the band member's holding a sparkler if memory serves me well. Robin Trower's finale solo on "In Held 'Twas I" still sends shivers down my spine.
WOW, I HAD that Home/Shine On Double LP, and even I forgot about the sparkler! Bravo!
An excellent band, my top 5 would be
#1 Broken barricades
2 Shine On Brightly
3 Procol's Ninth
4 A Salty Dog
5 Self Titled or Grand Hotel, flip a coin
As with you Pete, I could change the order at any time.
Nice work Pete! Good choices. I loved this band, saw them a half dozen times in the early days. I saw them follow Louder bands, and blow them away.
Headlining at the Central Park Stage one summer, a full moon over the stage. Gary walked all the way from the organ side of the stage in a purple tux, and when he got to the piano, he looked up at the moon, pointed to it, sat down, gave the count, and they went right into "Shine On Brightly".
I'll add the story about Robin Trower and the move from Les Paul to Fender Stratocaster. He had always played the LP in Procul until while on tour with Jethro Tull, their guitarist left his Strat out after soundcheck and Robin picked it up, played it for a short time, and had the "Viola!" moment. If you see the 2000's Procul, you'll see Geoff Whitehorn using both, because the songs ask for either guitar, and Geoff has become the ultimate PH guitarist, IMO because he adds tasty guitar parts to songs Robin would "fake" playing on live "WSOP" I think Robin missed opportunities to play on during early days of the band. I also wanted to chime in on "In Held Twas In I" as a stellar track - the version with the Danish Orchestra and Choir from around 2005 is amazing and on CZcams.
This made me realize that I have a Procol Harum shaped hole in my collection. I ordered 4 albums from Discogs and have been immersing myself. GREAT stuff, not sure how I overlooked them for 60 years!
R.I.P. Mr. Brooker and thanks for that Voice and the music...The KOOKSTER'S Vault
Great stuff, Pete. I'm one of those who requested a PH rankings show. Can't fault your placings which are pretty much the way I would have put them. Many thanks!
Great review of my all-time favorite Rock band's albums, who I saw 4 times in concert. I have all of their original vinyl records. I also have the vinyl albums "Procol Harum Live In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" from 1972 and their 1969 album "Fly Back The Best Of Procol Harum" Sadly Gary Brooker left us too soon.
I band I never sadly got to see, also a band that never really toured that much either. Geoff Whitehorn is a really nice bloke to talk to, and a really great underrated Guitarist.
Let's also remember Gary Brooker singing solo outside the band. 'Limelight' on Alan Parsons project's 'Stereotomy,' is pretty special.
Great Video Pete. Procol Harum is more than one classic song... There are amazing albums and the rest are interesting. I love Kaleidoscope from the 1st album. The beautiful Pilgrim's Progress, the amazing final track of A Salty Dog. Each album has a surprise. Sometimes the voice of Gary Brooker... remember me Peter Gabriel. Greetings from Barcelona.
We all have bands we like, and some we love, but PH for me is something bigger- they spoke to me personally in a way that no other band did at the time. Combo of Reid's lyrics, haunting piano/voice of Brooker and hammond organ of Fisher/Copping, top drumming from BJ, some great guitarists- but it is Brooker's writing that surpass other aspects for me. Agree absolutely with your the top 7 versus the next 5. Procol's Ninth was a huge let down for me when it came out. Pandora's Box is a great track, but was written much earlier. The problem with ranking the top 7 is that they are all so different- GH big orchestral and choral sounds, SoB is one of the first prog albums, EBF is so good throughout, BB very bluesy Trower influenced, rocky Home, the Live symphonic Edmonton. It's like Gary was exploring all these genres and ran out of places to go in 1975. But Grand Hotel remains my all time favourite- the huge, sweeping, majestic title track and Fires with Christiane Legrand, rocky Toujour L'Amour and Bringing Home the Bacon (I think their best rock/guitar solo track- still gracing their concerts), Rum Tale- the most beautiful waltz/ballad. Just wish I could remove Souvenir of London. But that's PH- because they were so different and always trying something new, there's usually something that's not my cuppa on each album (except EBF, which is so solid). They are a band that I couldn't imagine being without- part of my existence.
I HEAR you. They Affected me. CHANGED Me. When I was Young, I actually acquainted them, the Band, with Spirituality....or Morality. I ran things that Happened to me in Life...through the 'filter' of Procol, to see if it held UP sorta. It's weird, but they had a 'Quality' unlike other bands of the Time, and were Always a sort of 'Example' to me, to be striven for.
Very cool band, worth diving into.
1) Broken Barricades - Bit jarring with Robin Trower's stuff compared to the style of the band, but this works well and I think indicates the early band strengths all the way around. "Song for A Dreamer" is a great tribute to Jimi.
2) A Salty Dog - If people don't know Procol Harum, I'd suggest they start here.
3) Grand Hotel - just solid, start to finish.
4) Live in Denmark - nice in that they throw in a fair amount of deeper cuts along with those you-know-are-probably-going-to-be-on-any-live-album. The symphony arrangements are absolutely perfect and the sound is wonderful.
5) Home - It has "Whiskey Train."
6) Prodigal Stranger - this is like the perfect three-and-a-half stars album. Nothing outstanding, couple of filler songs, but enjoyable listen (as with most of these sort of releases, would be better than
Worst) Novum - Completely flat and yawn-inducing for me.
Haven't heard a couple of the latter day ones.
ALL VERY GOOD POINTS! '...Dreamer' is an All-Time fave of Mine TOO.....and MY 1/2 is the Same, but reversed. BOTH are good 'Desert Island Disc' picks. I particularly liked yr #2) 'If you don't know PH- start HERE'!! Couldn't Agree MORE!
SO AGREE! (about #2) SALTY DOG was such a 'Perfect' LP (SOLID ALL THRU and not a clunker to be Found!) for such a Young Outfit!! I 'liked' the B&W album, but SD is High on my List of Lifetime Faves and ALWAYS CONSISTENTLY in the 'Top 10' of my Mind. I never tire of it, of them, and miss Brooker terribly. They had quite an effect on my whole being for something as seemingly simplistic as a 'rock band', and judging by their healthy cadre of somewhat rabid and loyal fans to this Day, I'm not speaking alone.
Pete your bang on with the order of these albums shine on brightly my no 1 album of this band I’ve been a fan for 50years of procol harum my 2nd is salty dog 3 1st album. 4 broken barricade 5 exotic birds and fruit. ‘Twas held I great cover from the brilliant transatlantic they smashed it knocked it out the park
Salty Dog is one of my favorite songs so emotionally moving with that massive ebb and flow in the vocals and instruments like the fluctuation in the tides of the ocean. To me this song is the origin of prog.
Kudos for putting SHINE ON BRIGHTLY at #1. Not sure if it's my top choice but it's a complete classic.
Well done. With the exception of the majestic, Conquistador, symphonic Live release. I lost track of them. Grand Hotel. closed my collection. Before I left NY in 1970, I use to see their shows at the Fillmore East. When I was 18 I Lucked out to be passing the theater early, on a day they were playing, The door was open and I could hear music, I walked in and found them rehearsing. They actually said I could stick around. . Nice guys off stage too. I got to talk with them. They were sight seeing New York. and getting offers to cut commercials with a Cola exec.Their show was great. I got to see them several times.
Salty Dog is my favorite album. love the piano on Wreck of the Hesperis. Reminds me of a Tony Bank's riff. Shine on Brightly is my next favorite, for the same aforementioned, In Held 'Twas in I. Often sitting at the piano I punch out those chords
Great band great vid. Still amazed on how many bands you know own and have heard..WOW!
Time to dig into Procol's discography. I already have a list of albums and bands I will listen to, that keeps growing after each of Pete's rankings.
From the first time I heard those organ chords of A Whiter Shade Of Pale on the radio back in 1967 this band has always been my band. Saw them live many times with Trower, Dave Ball, Mick Grabham on guitar and they always sounded brilliant. Their first album Procol Harum is still my go to record by them but I would say it suffers with having a couple of filler tracks on there ie Mabel and Good Captain Clack. But the rest of the album is superb and i shall be having Repent Walpurgis playing at my funeral for sure. Cannot choose between Home, Shine On Brightly and A Salty Dog as runner up.
Thanks for letting me know more about Procal harum.
I saw Procul Harum in 1977 in Mannheim(where the bicycle was invented!) during the "Something Magic" tour, and Procul was tired and maybe feeling like theyd gone as far as they could, and it was kind of a Farewell tour. Gary did "The Worm and the Tree," the long, epic song from the album - in German!
They were phenomenal. They played encore after encore(6 total) and when I yelled for some of their earlier more rockin' stuff(by shouting "Rock and Roll'"), they did a set of old R&B shouters. They closed with Whiter Shade of Pale, wet with sweat and smiling. Best show I EVER saw.
• 1. Shine On Brightly
• 2 Broken Barricades
• 3 A Salty Dog
• 4 Grand Hotel
• 5 Procol Harum
💎 🐯 🦋
Ah, thanks for reminding me to listen to my Procol Harum albums again. Grand Hotel was a favorite of my mom and was a soundtrack in our house throughout my teenage years. You're listing just the studio albums, which is fine. Still, let me point out the near perfect "In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Ochestra" from 1971. Some of the tracks on that album sound better then their studio versions IMHO, e.g. the opener Conquistador.
The first side of the Fresh Fruit LP in my view is some of their best work..Love this band..really not many weak points..The Live LP is great as well..
The first 3 songs alone can carry that album but fortunately most of the album pretty great. Been getting into Side 2 in recent years. Not sure why it didn't happen years ago but enjoying it now so that's a good thing.
Great ranking Pete,thank you for the review of such an amazing and underrated band!with the exception of Grand Hotel which would have a higher place in my rating list, I totally agree with the ranking! BJ Wilson was a unique and very technical drummer, he once declined Jimmy Page's invitation to join his then new band ,the New Yardbirds, latter known as Led Zeppelin...
I was a dedicated prog/glam fan in the early 70's, having cut my teeth on 60's acid rock. I bought the first three Procol Harum albums soon after they came out, and they're still my favorites. I lost interest in prog after punk/new wave ushered in the 80's, but I have fond memories of its early pioneers. Seeing a prog/metal diehard like yourself give top rank to Shine On Brightly really warms my heart, like there's a common thread that unites us all. In my book, however, A Salty Dog still reigns as Procol's masterpiece, transcending all the genres and decades.
R.I.P. Gary Brooker (May 29 1945 - February 19 2022)
I really only know their first five albums and the 2017 release, so my list is a bit short:
6) Home
5) Broken Barricades
4) Novum
3) A Salty Dog
2) Shine On Brightly
1) Procol Harum
Thanks, Pete!
Glad I found this video. I'm currently writing a review for their Live in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra album.
An excellent summation but maybe he should have included Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Not just a "live album" but a seminal event. And, if you are interested, the two DVDs from Union Chapel and Ledreborg are just fantastic with many highlight moments - the former has Quite Rightly So with a great guitar solo and Weisselklenzenacht is Matthew Fisher's other masterpiece. Ledreborg is another orchestral event, and is worth getting for the sublime A Whiter Shade of Pale, Gary's Symphathy for the Hard of Hearing and the magnificent Whaling Stories where the orchestra's percussionist has to work overtime!
BTW Here is my current rating of the albums - like you it varies from day to day.
13. Procol's Ninth 12. Prodigal Stranger 11. Something Magic 10. The Well's on Fire 9. Novum
8. Broken Barricades 7. Exotic Birds & Fruit 6. Home 5. A Salty Dog 4. Procol Harum Live: In Concert With the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra 3. Procol Harum (aka: A Whiter Shade of Pale)
2. Shine on Brightly 1. Grand Hotel (the peak for me, great production (Chris Thomas) good songs, great singing & playing especially the most magnificent drumming by B.J. WIlson throughout).
(followed the band since 1967, saw them live first in 1970 and many, many times since)
czcams.com/video/St6jyEFe5WM/video.html AWSOP Ledreborg
Robin Trower's vocal on Crucifixion Lane is one of the high points from Procol Harum. Which is strange, considering, y'know, Gary Brooker.
Thank you for ranking the studio albums of Procol Harum.🎤🎸🎵🥁
Again one of those cases where early LPs are different in UK and other parts of the world. No original album had A Whiter Shade of Pale although it appeared on the US album or even the UK re-release.
1. Exotic Birds & Fruit (As Strong as Samson and Nothing But the Truth are their greatest tunes and there is no weak track on this album at all)
2. Shine on Brightly
3. A Salty Dog
4. Home
5. Grand Hotel
6. Procol Harum (original UK version)
7. Broken Barricades (My dilemma here is that I like both Procol Harum and Robin Trower a lot - but not too much Trower on a Procol Harum album. It was a change to "normal" blues rock that did not suite them well. Parting ways afterwards was kind of win-win for both parts.)
8. Procol's Ninth
9. The Well's On Fire
10. The Prodigal Stranger
11- Something Magic
12. Novum
Bringing Home the bacon tender juicy steaks(GRAND HOTEL) wAY AGEAD OF ITS TIMES
I SAW PROCOL HARUM LIVE IN AMSTERDAM 1976 THEY ARE JUST GREAT, I WILL
MISS GARY BROOKER AND HIS MAJESTIC CORE OF MUSIC!!!
always loved their keyboard playing!
I’ve been waiting forever
1. Shine on Brightly 2. Home 3. Salty Dog 4. Exotic Birds 5. Procol Harum
After this show some time back, i listened to broken barricades on you tube. then i bought it through discogs from a bloke from italy. all because of this show.
My 4th favorite band of all-time. I will include a live album due to the hit version of Conquistador coming from it.
13. Prodigal Stranger
12. Something Magic
11. The Well's on Fire
10. Novum
9. Procol's Ninth
8. Exotic Birds & Fruit
7. Procol Harum Live: In Concert With the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
6. Shine on Brightly
5. Broken Barricades
4. Procol Harum (aka: A Whiter Shade of Pale
3. Grand Hotel
2. A Salty Dog
1. Home
Kenn Brown my exact list! Literally!
Not my exact list, but IMHO you nailed it with Salty Dog and Home in #1 & #2 (on even-numbered days) or #2 & #1 (on odd-numbered days)
Good to hear you mention Geoff Whitehorn, a very under-rated Brit guitarist. He replaced the god like Koss in Back Street Crawler after the sad passing of the legendary guitarist. Although on a hiding to nothing, he more than holds his own. Geoff appears on Paul Rodgers 'Now' album from '97 and completed Paul perfectly especially on the Free numbers. Far much so in fact, that he was light years ahead of Steve Luthaker who I saw live with Paul in '92.
1) Shine on Brightly
2) Procol Harum
3) Home
4) Broken Barricades
5) A Salty Dog
6) Exotic Birds and Fruit
7) Grand Hotel
8) Procol’s Ninth
9) Something Magic
10) Novum
11) The Well’s On Fire
12) The Prodigal Stranger
The Eagles have great stories of touring with them when they were starting out, they loved Gary Brooker and touring with them.
Happy (and impressed) to see you rank the albums of Procol Harem. Their discography contains a wealth of material that is well thought out and brilliantly played. I agree in general with your rankings though, as you said, the Top 5 classic album positions are fairly fluid. I'm a big fan of "Broken Barricades" as well as the albums on either side of it. Many of the songs on "A Salty Dog", "Home" and "Grand Hotel" could be likened to scenes from classic movies or well-written short stories. It's taken me a bit more time to get into "Shine On Brightly". The debut is a lark and the releases after "Exotic Birds & Fruits" offer diminishing returns. The Repertoire, Esoteric & Salvo reissues are excellent for sound, packaging and extras. As a summing up, I would say PH, at their best, are able to explore the darkness and the absurdity of the human condition in equal measure. No mean feat.
I was very pleased you ranked Shine on Brightly as number 1. Actually your top 5 is very good, except Exotic Birds and Fruit needs to be in there, I believe.
How can you not mention BJ Wilson, the octupus in the bathtub, in my opinion one of the greatest rock drummer. Just compare the last 3 albums witout him after his passing, it's just not the same!
The studio albums are ranked as I prefer, but the BEST album they ever put forth was "Live with the Edmonton Sym Orch" -- just a masterpiece, a work of art, all of that. Hearing them settle in to open their performance with "Conquistador" is great and then "Whaling Stories" ... OYE!! They play all of Side 2 from Shine on Brightly which is too cool! Might be my favorite live album.
1. Procol Harum Just Loaded, some of their most recognizable songs (often ref. to as 'Whiter Shade of Pale'). A Top 25 album for Rock &Roll history.
2. Shine On Brightly Their second release and it pretty much holds up to debut. Quite Rightly So and Skip Softly the 2 standouts from a fantastic album
3. A Salty Dog Title track, All This and More Boredom are great songs...the rest all near greats. Cannot get over fact that "Whaling Stories" did not make it on this album. I mean just look at the cover FFS! Swap that one for "Boredom" - put that one on "Home"
4. Home
5. Grand Hotel
6. Procol's Ninth actually a solid album without acclaim, good sleepers with The Unquiet Zone and "The Final Thrust"
7. Broken Barricades
8. Exotic Birds and Fruit Had a friend way back who only played Side 1 so not familiar with 2nd side, but Side 1 kind of great!
9. The Prodigal Stranger This ended up collecting dust for me sadly - could have given it another try or 2 but...
NOT FAMILIAR with other few releases to comment
The live album with Edmonton Orchestra was my first into to Proco Harum, I always wished whiter shade of pale would of been on that one too! Great album and still my fav.
Hi Pete. I remember requesting this review months ago. Thanks for putting it up. For me the order is
1. Shine on Brightly
2. Grand Hotel
3. Live with the Edmonton symp. orch. (sorry but I absolutely had to include it)
4. Home
5. A Salty Dog
6.Exotic Birds and Fruit
7. Procol Harum
8. Broken Barricades
9. Something Magic
10. The Prodigal Stranger
11. The Well's On Fire
12. Procol's Ninth
13. Novum
My Top Several: 1) Salty Dog 2) Barricades, just for the sheer, visceral 'cutting loose' feeling, 3) Home 4) Shine On Brightly 5) Ninth 6) Exotic Birds... (5 & 6 almost interchangeable) 7) Prodigal Stranger 8) This Well's On Fire 9) B&W album DISCLAIMER: Ratings subject to Change at Any Time!
Ooooh....I forgot 'Something Magic'. Now I have to Start Over. Guess I'll always LEAN to the Early stuff, w/BJ, Robin, Fisher, et. all....but there is QUALITY and GREAT STUFF everywhere IN their DISCOGRAPHY! That most bands could Never Keep Going for so many Years. But......THEY DID!! RIP BROOKER!!
RIP Gary Brooker!! Your fine soulful voice and music lives forever!
I only have the debut. I need to hear more of their music
They came over to Malta with 2016 album. Old folks waiting for Whiter Shade of Pale so they can leave before somebody gets a stroke! But fantastic concert.
Yep, that happens here in the US ALL THE TIME-people who really only follow a band for a handful of songs, if that. Sad.
1. Broken Barricades
2, Home
3. Shine On Brightky
4, Grand Hotel
5. The Wheels On Fire
1)A Salty Dog
2)Shine on Brightly
3)Procol Harum
Funny how OFTEN SALTY tops people's LISTS!! Not a tosser in Sight!! Every cut a perfect gem.
My List:
1. A Salty Dog/Home
2. Broken Barricades
3. Shine On Brightly
4. Procol Harum
5. Grand Hotel
6. Exotic Birds and Fruits
7. Something Magic
8. Procol's Ninth.
Thanks Pete, finally Procol. Next time in a PH T- shirt ?😁
An underrated band that I've only started delving into deeply in the last couple of years. I haven't heard Home but otherwise your top 7 has my album collection by the band.
Don't agree with everything but enjoyed your take. I kinda smiled when you talked about "Home," my favorite album, because I think you mentioned every song except my favorite, "Piggy Pig Pig." Loved going down memory lane with you on this.
Saw them in concert in 1993 opening for Jethro Tull. Hell of a show. Ironically all I have by them is a greatest hits collection and their awesome boxed set from a couple years ago.
I think it is true to say that Procul Harum never put out a bad album.
We BOTH had the same top 5 albums. Other than Whiter Shade...., and Conquistador these guys deserved more renown than they had. Rip Gary Brooker. I'm looking for a few artists to do a tribute to the most overlooked group of the 60s.
The live album with the Edmonton Orchestra is one of the greatest prog rock records of all time. It should be included in any "best of" list because the songs are significantly different from the studio versions of the same tracks. In Held 'Twas In I is symphonic rock at its all-time best.
Love this band. My top five are 1, Home. 2. A Salty Dog 3. Grand Hotel 4. Shine on Brightly 5. Procol Harum
Top 3: Shine on Brightly, Broken Barricades, Salty Dog
A salty dog e' un capolavoro 💟🙆♂️
It certainly is
Same
@@kevinsnodgrass6222 repent walpurgis (fortuna) o il tuo diamante versione italiana
Agree with your top two. Both wonderful albums.
Hi Pete, I recently listened to their amazing song In Held Twas In I again, one of the earliest prog epics. One question, any chance for a ranking of Steve Hackett's solo albums? I would love that!
Unfortunately I don't have enough of them to do a ranking.
Yes Pete please do Steve Hackett
I would go:
1. Shine On Brightly 2. Broken Barricades 3. Grand Hotel 4. A Salty Dog 5. Exotic Birds And Fruit
1) A Salty Dog - An almost perfect album.
2) Shine on Brightly
3) Procol Harum
There’s a clear drop-off after the first three. They lost some of their magic after Matthew Fisher left.
4) Exotic Birds & Fruit
5) Broken Barricades
6) Home
7) Grand Hotel
Another clear drop-off in the late 70s …
8) Procol’s Ninth
9) Something Magic
10) The Prodigal Stranger
I beg to differ. _Grand Hotel_ is probably my favorite album after _Shine on Brightly_ .
DITTO on No. 1.....S.D. is the One I ALWAYS come BACK to, and cannot Live without. Wish MF had stayed longer, David Knight & Robin too.
I said almost the EXACT SAME THING about Salty Dog!! And agree with your take. The Magick ALWAYS WORKED, but there was something very seminal and moving about the early stuff and lineups, incl. w/Fisher. So glad I got to see them that Early. I MISSED Early Cream and the Beatles, but I DID thankfully get to see fairly early Procol ('67 I believe). When did Fisher leave?
Nice ranking. I always leaned towards Home.
Thank you Pete! 1. A Salty Dog 2. Procol Harum 3. Broken Barricades 4. Shine on Brightly 5. Home 6. Grand Hotel 7. Exotic Birds and Fruit 8.Ninth. 9. Something Magic
YEAH!!! SALTY DOG #1. It's a Tough Choice, sorta- but it's MINE TOO!
I don’t know some of their albums. I definitely don’t have all of them. Of the ones I know, Home is my absolutely favorite. I just friggin’ love that album!!
Is there speed issues on the cd reissues of the self titled debut ?
The band had some time together before getting into a higher profile by releasing recordings. By your choices the pattern seems that they came on strong with creative product, followed up with improving material and by the 7th or so album they had mostly achieved their best works and the latter albums lacked the impact but were still viable. I generally agree with your overall choices but my selections would be slightly altered. My favourite era was bracketed by Shine On Brightly and Home. I really loved the lines and counter-lines that Mathew Fisher uses but equally love the timbre of Chris Copping's Hammond. Along with A Salty Dog, these were early 'concept' albums. As a teenager in the 1960's my early influencers were: Booker T (and the M.G.s), Ramsey Lewis, Allen Price (The Animals), Rod Argent (Zombies) , Ray Manzarek,, (Doors), Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge), Felix Cavaliere (Young Rascals) and Steve Winwood (Spencer Davis). The significance of hearing A Whiter Shade of Pale on the radio, was the opening of a musical portal. 55 years later, I still enjoy playing their music.
RIP Gary Brooker 19 Feb 2022. I would go along with most of that but would put The Well's on Fire at around 6 or 7, if only for Weisselklenzenacht. Still got 6 of their first 7 albums on vinyl.
'Weisselklenznacht' -- is that like the follow-up to "Repent Walpurgisnacht"? Without going to the Translator, I am trying to decipher that word - - is it something like Wheat cleaning night? like threshing wheat? If you don't know don't mind me - - I just like doing that kind of thing at 2am inthe morning. 😀🙂 😐
Pete….so glad to see you did not put Something Magic at the bottom of the list. It’s not their strongest outing but it certainly outweighs everything that came afterwards. Shine On Brightly is my favorite Procol release.
"I know I got it...I just can't find it". I can relate. God, I hate that.
I love Mick Grabham. His thick tone on Grand Hotel is epic!
STILL- I wish Trower stayed on for a few more albums.
Trower’s first two solo albums were Phenomenal- for Blues Rock.
I like Blues Rock, but I like Prog/Classical Rock waaay more.
I also feel like Trower’s playing with Procol was much more soulful and better as a seasoning. When he went solo his playing (although brilliant) was not enough to hold my interest because it was Always There!
Pete: You used that CD as a coaster - that's why you cannot find it.
Cheers Pete for reminding of this great band . Today ive listened to the first 5 albums and theyre all great . I would rate 'Home' as my favourite. 'A salty Dog ' would be in 5th place mainly because Mathew Fisher and Robin Trower should not be allowed anywhere near a microphone . Jeeeez . They've got one of rock's finest singers in Gary Brooker and these 2 ruin the final 3 songs on what would have been a great album . Keep up the excellent work bud
really disagree- Fisher's vocal on Progress has a wistful quality that Brooker could not match (Gary's vocals were always contained more certainty)
Top 5: 1. Shine On Brightly 1968
2. Procol Harum 1967
3. A Salty Dog 1969
4. Home 1970
5. Grand Hotel 1973