Procol Harum

Matt Till · #1 09-05-2006, 05:21 PM

I'm not going to say they are underrated for two reasons 1) They charted a number of times 2) Ratings are stupid.

But they are slowly becoming one of my favorite (top 10) prog bands. I've been listening to "A Whiter Shade of Pale" since I got back from tour (Aug 2nd) since I bought it at a record shop in... I think it was Boston, it was in the "old fogey section" (sorta, it was a punk store). I also got Adrian Belew's Lone Elephant, which is also amazing, but Harum sticks out.

Fans? I'd recommend checking them out if you haven't.

Salicete · #2 09-05-2006, 05:27 PM

I have always liked "The Worm and the Tree" by PH. Got the album that one is on when I was about 15 or 16, and have listend to it on off ever since.

Of course, I'm so old, I've forgotten the name of the LP.

cdef · #3 09-07-2006, 01:16 PM

My first pro band used to do some PH covers back in the ´60s. It's lasting stuff. Soulful vocals, great chords, surreal and even witty lyrics, excellent playing. They deserve more of a following than they ever got.

Brad Maestas · #4 09-07-2006, 01:39 PM

Yeah, they rock!!

I like "Homburg" and "In the Wee Small Hours of Sixpence", too. They're definitely underrated. The film "The Big Lebowski' did bring them some much-deserved exposure but it's still amazing how many people still don't know their work.

If you like these guys and their sound you should also check out the Dutch band Focus. The first album (LP!) I bought of theirs was "Live at the Rainbow". Their organist also plays flute and sings quite well. He even yodels on some songs. They don't take themselves too seriously, either so that's nice. Jan Akkerman plays guitar and it's said that he's been a big influence on guitarists for decades. He does this volume swell thing that I've heard many people use. The first one that comes to mind is the French guitarist Bireli Lagrene on the opening to Jaco's import album "Live in Italy".

iTunes link to Focus: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...st?id=27054064

Matt Till · #5 09-07-2006, 02:49 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yekVlhBeTA

heh, I love the singer's faces.

Awesome bands, why wasn't I born in the era of MUSICIANS!?

Brad Maestas · #6 09-07-2006, 04:46 PM

That's killer! I haven't gotten around to searching for them on youtube 'till now. What an incredible view into the past. *I don't wish to divert the attention from Procol Harum but I'll mention Focus just one more time!

I like this version of "Sylvia" and "Eruption", the latter of which is very Zappa/Beefheart-esque. Dig their clothes. The bassist looks like a badass in Sylvia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbooIEDKiHE

Also, this opening to the "Hamburger Concerto" has some killer Bach-like bass parts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwXUwm39O98

*update
Oh wow, I just found this freakin' hysterical video of the organist and the guitarist. The song's called "Russian Roulette". I don't think I'll ever wear a hat like that in my entire life, let alone in a music video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9BODtR9nlc

Brad Maestas · #7 09-07-2006, 04:49 PM

Wikipedia can be useful after all. I was wondering what their name meant and I found this:
"The band name was chosen by its manager, Guy Stevens, after the name of a friend's cat, and it is almost the Latin [phrase] for "beyond these things". The correct spelling of the Latin phrase is in fact Procul Harum. The band's name has frequently been 'corrected' in articles and catalogues."

Wiki also says that the asteroid 14024 Procol Harum is named after the band.

page · #8 09-07-2006, 05:51 PM

A Salty dog is my favorite album.

KJung · #9 09-07-2006, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by page

A Salty dog is my favorite album.

Is that the album with 'Bringin' home the bacon'? That's a great tune.... great band!

JimK · #10 09-07-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintageBT6Lover

That's killer! I haven't gotten around to searching for them on youtube 'till now. What an incredible view into the past. *I don't wish to divert the attention from Procol Harum but I'll mention Focus just one more time!

I was about 14-15 & was watching In Concert when I first saw Focus. "Hocus Pocus" was the 1st tune...OK, he's yodeling, whatever. After the tune ended, I was like, "Damn, that **** ROCKED"!

Anyway, Procol Harum was a cool band from that era, too. I had the album with "Conquistador" on 8-track. DOH!

Which of their albums had Robin Trower?

gruffpuppy · #11 09-08-2006, 07:42 AM

Yes Focus and the yodel. Kicking song.

Simple Sister probally my fav PH song. There DVD Live at Union Chapel is pretty sweet.
I think Robin is on maybe the first 4 or 5

PhR · #12 09-08-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salicete

I have always liked "The Worm and the Tree" by PH. Got the album that one is on when I was about 15 or 16, and have listend to it on off ever since.

Of course, I'm so old, I've forgotten the name of the LP.

It's on "Something Magic" (1977), their last album before the re-union in the 90's. Generally regarded as their worst but I haven't heard it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kjung

Quote:
Originally Posted by page
A Salty dog is my favorite album.

Is that the album with 'Bringin' home the bacon'? That's a great tune.... great band!

That song is off "Grand Hotel" (1973). Great album and my fav alongside "Exotic Birds And Fruit".