The Music of When Stars Were in Reach Part 27 - Procol Harum What is the connection between Procol Harum and When Stars Were in Reach? On the surface, none. But when one considers the musical backdrop of When Star Were in Reach – 1967, Procol Harum’s presence and impact cannot be overstated. Let’s back up a bit. In September of 1967, as Union Catholic High Schools concert committee looked to book a rock band for its debut concert, barely a month had passed from the time Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” had conquered the American hit parade. On the WMCA music charts in NYC, A Whiter Shade of Pale occupied the number one position for two consecutive weeks beginning with the week which ended August 2 (finally pushed to #2 by All You Need is Love). The next month Procol Harum’s eponymous debut LP was released. Previous installments of this Series have already documented why 1967 was a historic year for the rock album genre. The Doors’ debut album, The Jim Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced, The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow, to name but four were all released that year. But for someone who came of musical age after 1967, it’s hard to fathom that Procol Harum’s debut album was in the same conversation as the above named albums. Hard to fathom because Procol Harum is barely mentioned these days or (possibly with the exception of A Whiter Shade of Pale) played on the radio in 2014. Nonetheless, their debut album was indeed a landmark work. Combining elements of classical music, the majestic organ of Matthew Fisher and the dissonant and distinctive guitar of Robin Trower, Procol Harum produced a sound that was totally unique. The lineup on the group’s first three albums consisted of Gary Brooker – piano and vocals, Matthew Fisher – Hammond organ, B.J. Wilson – drums, Robin Trower – guitar and David Knights – bass guitar. The songs were mostly written by Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid. To quote a website devoted to Procol Harum: …A Whiter Shade of Pale “burdened the band with a legend they could not live up to.” That said, they followed up their debut album in 1968 with “Shine on Brightly,” another exceptional album like the first, with not a throwaway in the bunch. Their third album, A Salty Dog, released in 1969 was merely great, a half step down from their first two efforts. After their third LP, organist Matthew Fisher left the band and that’s when I lost interest. Today on PBS oldies circuit shows, together with the likes of John Kaye of Steppenwolf and other aging rockers, you can still sometimes see Gary Brooker fronting a band he calls Procol Harum. I prefer to shield my eyes and then switch channels, for fear that my pure adolescent memories of greatness would be tarnished. Pilgrim’s Progress is a song form Procol Harum’s third LP, A Salty Dog, written by Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid and sung by Matthew Fisher. This was an oddity because Gary Brooker wrote and sang almost all Procol Harum songs. It’s also unusual because Robin Trower’s unique guitar is nowhere to be found on the track. What Pilgrim’s Progress is however is a beautiful song which showcases Matthew Fisher’s organ playing, with all its classical music influences. Pilgrim’s Progress was the last song on side two of the album. Given that after this album, he left the band, Matthew Fisher couldn’t have dreamt up a more meaningful parting gift than Pilgrim’s Progress.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:29:49 +0000
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