Singer, songwriter, musician,self taught arranger Gary Brooker is amongst the best British male vocalist of all time, anyone care to listen to the last studio album Novum,I played it last night and melted when I heard The only one, his voice has been thrown back 30 years he sings it like a GOD just unbelievable, then the next song is a personal thank you goodbye ballad where you can hear the frailness in his voice. RIP legend
ALL HANDS ON DECK, WE'VE RUN AFLOAT... I know what I'm putting on when I get home. Great tribute sir. Much respect Gary, you were one of the good ones.
I rarely go through a week without listening to A Whiter Shade Of Pale. A song you can't hear too many times. We aren't immortal and we keep getting reminded of that. Too many passing.
I saw Gary with Ringo's All-Starrs some years back in '99. Along with Ringo and Gary, the band included Jack Bruce, Todd Rundgren, and Simon Kirke. Gary sang as great as ever.
My brother had A Salty Dog and Shine On Brightly, I LOVE A Salty Dog it’s a perfect record every song is great. I have multiple copies cd and vinyl, including MoFi releases. Live At Edmonton also a perfect record, Conquistador Live is better than the studio version. A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of the greatest rock songs ever. RIP Gary Brooker…✌️
So happy to hear tributes like this one extolling the absolute brilliance of A Salty Dog, which after a time overtook Shine on Brightly for me, even though I tend more toward prog than other rock genres
That live version of 'Conquistador' is flawless. Out of all the great live albums (Deep Purple's Made in Japan as an example) and live songs released, can't think of a live song that tops 'Conquistador' (live in Edmonton).
@@terrythekittieful Maybe, just maybe Frampton's Do You Feel Like We Do, but mostly because those performances so outshine the studio versions. I was 11, about to disembark from U.S. to then W Germany and will never forget the impression every time Conquistador cycled onto AM radio.
Hey Mazzy: there was a Gary Brooker album released in 1985 called Echoes in the Night which featured Matthew Fisher playing keyboards as well as 5 songs written by Brooker/Fisher/Reid with B.J. Wilson on drums: it's like half a Procol 80s album, and was co-produced by Gary and Matthew. It's the lost middle stage between Something Magic and The Prodigal Stranger album of 1991. There's also a 1995 RCA studio album called The Symphonic Music of Procol Harum which features Brooker, Fisher, Trower and a couple of guest stars, Tom Jones and Jerry Hadley, which is quite good. And the last music that Procol released was an cd single with 2 songs by Brooker/Reid:. "Missing Persons (Alive Forever)" and "War is Not Healthy" which was released last year. Gary and Procol gave their all ...
Getting old means you see most of your heroes pass. The center can't hold, thing's fall apart, that's life. Still I wonder how can Gary Brooker be gone?
My favourite band since 1967 on hearing AWSOP. Saw them several times including the line up with Robin Trower. A fantastic vocalist and brilliant pianist. All the line ups were great and of course they had BJ Wilson who for me was the finest drummer of any rock band ever. RIP Gary, hope you are reunited with BJ.
A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of my most loved songs ever and a very popular song in the world which has been left behind by Gary. It remainds eternally sung by the people all over the world. Rest in peace Gary.
I saw them in Central Park August 1971. Robin Trower had left a short time before this but they were touring for Broken Barricades and they were great. I was in awe of them. I paid 3 or 4 dollars for my ticket from a scalper just before the concert started. It was put on by Schaefer Music Festival. Gary Brooker had one of the greatest voices in British rock and he was a wonderful composer as well . May he RIP.
Very sad to hear about the passing of Gary Brooker. A shame that 'Whiter Shade of Pale' seems to overshadow the many, many wonderful songs this band recorded. 'In Held 'Twas In l' was an extended piece of the kind that was, possibly, never done before. They never got real credit for that. The live album I saw them perform in London as an anniversary concert. The lady next to me was in tears at the end of the performance, the music was so moving, 'Whaling Stories', my God! I got Gary Brooker to sign my CD copy of the 'Edmonton concert'. He came across as a nice, down to earth guy. RIP Gary Brooker.
Very saddened to hear about Gary Brooker. RIP Have been a fan since I first heard "White Shade Of Pale" in the summer of 1967. Very nice overview and tribute, Mazzy. They did have one other album released in 1991, 'The Prodigal Stranger'.
'The Prodigal Stranger' is probably my favorite of their later albums. Another tribute did not mention it either. For any who missed, or haven't tried it in awhile, it perhaps exceeds Grand Hotel, in its expression of emotion.
RIP Gary Brooker.... I played Procol Harum for decades A 'Salty Dog' was my favorite - but all of them were great (the albums) and had something on them worth the purchase back then.
I'm sure you knew this, but the title of the opus on side two of Shine on Brightly comes from In the darkness of the night Held close by that which some despise Twas springtime at the circus In the autumn of my madness I know if I'd been wiser. Thank you for the warm post mortem. Procol was my favorite band from '67-'77. They got out when punk and disco took over.
I love Shine lp but the sound quality still bugs me to this day! I heard that the British pressing was superior as was the case in so many late 60s & 70s records.The Atco Cream records have thin bass. I could go on and on !
The live with the Edmonton symphony orchestra is from my hometown and procol harum what a special band broken barricades was my favorite love Gary's solo albums to rest in Peace Gary Brooker your music has touched our hearts and lives
Thank you for this posting. I think it is the best one on the death of Gary Brooker. I went to Procol Harum's concerts every time they came to Detroit. They usually played at the old Ford Auditorium. I never saw them with Matthew Fisher or Robin Trower, but I was never disappointed. Chris Copping (a mate from their days in Essex) and Mick Grabham were substantial members of the band for many years. Gary Brooker's voice was so powerful live. The "Still there'll be more" set also includes the videos and the Hollywood Bowl live concert. Many years ago I connected with Chris Copping via the net. He retired to Melbourne, Australia. He kindly sent me a burn of the Hollywood Bowl concert. One of two pieces of Procol Harum memorabilia I own. I also have the Gazza cd of BROKEN BARRICADES -- Mr. Brooker's private label. Mr. Brooker was also given an MBE, Member of the British Empire, honor by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his charitable concerts, including one at an Anglican Church in England. That concert was released by Repertoire. Great sound, incredible performances of religious and Procol Harum songs. An acoustic concert. The German label Repertoire re-mastered and released all the albums at one time in the mid 2000s. Beautifully packaged and of course with the great German audiophilia. This included the wide availability of BROKEN BARRICADES for the first time in many many years. I collected as many cd releases as I could, including "Still there'll be more." By the way, there were widespread obituaries -- the Wasington Post, the NY Times, USA Today, the Guardian, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, the LA Times etc. I was surprised and pleased as I read them past midnight on Friday evening, February 25th. Gary Brooker had a life-long marriage to Franky. Or as he once said, "the right girl and the right guy.' But he said something in his last interview with Goldmine that moved me to tears. "My father died when I was eleven and I have always felt alone." I think there is something of that in his voice. My father died the same year when I was three. I hope and pray he no longer feels that special loneliness anymore. Requiescat in Pace Gary...
Gary Brooker is one of the greatest singers of all time. His vocals on All This And More from A Salty Dog gives chills up your spine. Shine On Brightly Gary! Procol lives on forever!
summer of '67 i was in the gallery of a boat crossing the Chesapeake Bay while tuning any radio stations from the western shore..."Whiter Shade of Pale" was playing to my discovery. as Chambers Brothers sang, "my soul was psychedelicizied " "A Salty Dog " album played non stop summer of '69. Till the other day, i had tickets to London Palladium for Procol Harum appearance with full symphony since april 2020. so sad for me that Mr. Brooker's spirit and humour was stunted by pandemic and condition before such a celebration to culminate a great band's and talent exhibition.
Grand Hotel is an exquisite album. It may be compositionally superior to Salty Dog. It doesn't have the pathos of SD but has its own more mature sort of exhausted aristocratic temperament. Every tune is a beautiful artistic work of art. The production is flawless. Grand Hotel itself is a masterpiece of orchestration, Fires Which Burn Brightly is stroke of pure genius, A Rum Tale is a dazzling reminiscence and Toujours L'amour is a cracking good break up song. Thank God for Procol Harum.
Always one of my favorite bands. Saw them twice in the 70s and 3x in the 2000s most recently on their last tour March 2019 in NJ. They were always terrific..... RIP Gary
very nice tribute...always loved procol harum....whiter shade of pale is still one of my favorite songs...i always associate that with nights in white satin...in fact, in one of my previous bands, i used to sing those songs together...rest in peace mr. brooker...all the good ones...stay well my friend...peace always...rocky
Love hearing your stories, Mazzy. I’m sorry to hear about Gary. Even though we may not personally know them, when members of bands who’s music means so much to us pass away, it can definitely hit you. I’ve got a few of Procol Harum’s records, and I’ll add em to my “records to listen to this evening” pile. Thanks, Mazzy. Good stuff.
Hi Mazzy, This was an excellent tribute to Gary, and the band. I was lucky enough to see them at MSG, in 1973 just when Grand Hotel came out,they were wonderful ! Sadly I purged all their vinyl albums in the 90's,I wish I had them back ! I agree Grand Hotel and exotic birds and fruit go together so well. Thanks Mazzy ! Cindy
Cindy, I remember that tour I think that was a Felt Forum show. I miss B.J. Wilson and now I miss Gary Brooker. Robin Trower is still around see him if you can.
Cindy you were absolutely correct. The Felt Forum was the five thousand seat boxing arena in the bottom of MSG. Always a better place to see a show than the twenty thousand seat arena upstairs. Leo Kottke opened up the show. I had a chance to ask him about touring with Procol Harum in 1983 and he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. They took him on his first European tour and he made contacts with promoters in n Europe that lasted the rest of his career. That particular night was memorable for me because after the Procol Harum show I ran out of the Garden grabbed a cab and went downtown to the Bottom Line to catch a Ry Cooder late show! What a night! It’s great to be young.
Hi Mazzy. What a sad day. Another great voice from a favorite band of mine. When my dad had a stroke several years ago.... their music helped and in a way helped my dad's rehabilitation. Love your incredible stories. thank you for this PH and Gary Brooker tribute .
RIP Mr Brooker - such a supremely talented composer, musician, leader. PH will always be my all-time favorite progressive rock band. You will be so sorely missed. God bless your precious memory.
Hi Mazzy,you said it's February 18th,which would actually be the day before Gary passed.Yesterday was 2/22/22. Anyway hearing the news hurt me deeply.A fan since the beginning.(67) I got to see Procal Harum in 1968,I was 15 and I still remember how amazing they were.Shine on Brightly and Salty Dog,omg! I think I would say Conquistador is my favorite with A Salty Dog a close 2nd. Whiter Shade of Pale of course the standard. You're right about the Salty Dog album,I probably,like you,listened to it on a daily basis for atleast a month. Thankyou for sharing this collection and heartfelt tribute to a voice that will live on eternally. RIP Gary Brooker
Great video and tribute! FYI......"A Salty Dog" was their third album and final with Matthew Fisher. Chris Copping took over organ duties starting on "Home". You also left out "The Prodigal Stranger" from 1991...Fisher on organ :)
Now that's a cool collection! I saw PH a few years ago at a very small openair-concert in Switzerland. Garys voice still sounded the same as it did 50 years ago...incredible. A humble human being. RIP!
I don't believe in having heroes anymore but made an exception for Gary .This man has been part of my life since 1967,seen Procol 8 times and was due to see them again just a few days ago.Apart from his great music he also had a great sense of humour.Gary will live on in his music and I will be listening till its my turn to go.RIP Gary and thanks for everything
Thank you very much. Now I'm discovering this band... I'm enjoying a lot this music. Salty Dog is a (Almost) prog album... Wonderful albums!!!! Thank you to share it!!! Music loves Mazzy!!!! Greeting from Barcelona.
I was watching Gary Brooker singing "Limelight" yesterday just because I like it so much and saw that he passed away, I just started to cry. Listen to him sing that song, It is melodic and poetic. RIP Gary...
Their comeback CD "The Prodigal Stranger" was chock-full of great cuts. Out of the dozen songs, four are outstanding. The album was actually a collection of demos that initially were to be re-recorded, but Zoo Entertainment decided what they brought in was fine, and so be it! It was released a year after BJ Wilson was removed from life support after a drug-induced stroke. May Gary rest in peace with BJ and Dave Ball, of the Edmonton Live album.
A nice segment on a Fine Band and Leader. This piece motivated me to clean my PH Collection with the "Old Dr. V" and put them in new Jackets and Inner Sleeves. Your Collection blows me away and terrifies my Wife with potential Financial Ruin. I Have Collected 2/Shine Thru 8/Exotic via cutout racks and some are in pretty rough shape but are all playable. Looking now for the 1st and enjoyed learning about the options for a buy. This review gave me a much greater insight into these LPs, RIP GB, LP Collecting Rocks! Thanks, Bob-In Denver
Gary was so unique. Thanks for sharing this with us. I think I'm the odd duck but I really liked 1991s Prodigal Stranger album. Best cover of Whiter Shade of Pale I've heard is by Dan Reeder.
Wonderful overview. The "Conquistador" 45 was my introduction to Procol Harum. I am still working on getting all their albums. He did have such an amazing soulful voice.
Hello Norman ... I love listening to your Music progs and you have widened my music taste ... hugely. Listening to Olfur Arnolds through you but tonight The Cure live in Orange with a glass of Cider. Best wishes from Wiltshire .. England
I love all the early albums up to Grand Hotel which might be my favorite album. The song "Fires (Which Burn Brightly)" is really a great mix of classical music and rock. Christiane Legrand lends her soprano voice on the scat singing parts She was the lead soprano of the original Swingle Singers from France. And yes B.J. Wilson was truly an unrated drummer.
Great tribute. Hugely underrated band, I only knew them for the two big hits in the UK 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' and 'Homberg' but picked up a copy of 'A Salty Dog' based on the cover alone and never looked back. Very sad loss....
A wonderful remembrance of a truly talented musician and gentleman, Gary Brooker., Norman. It was nice hearing your history of loving Procol Harem and great experience seeing them all those years ago. There's something about 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' especially that always sounded like a classic, something that sounded like it came from some unknown, forgotten past. It had that character even when the song was new I think. R.I.P. Gary... -Gary
Well, I have purchased 5 P.H. records since viewing this blog. Thank you!! I am very happy to know more now than A Whiter Shade of Pale. I previously had a CD version of their anthology that I really never listened to thoroughly. Wow!
R.I.P. Gary what a voice!!! That concert you saw sounds amazing. Deep Purple is my favorite band to see them on their first tour must have been magical.
I revisited this excellent video today. They really weren't prog but were considered so I think because they loved playing with orchestras and choirs and they were one of the first bands to do it, and they often revisited that performance style. One of the finest bands of all time, and Gary Brooker was a true composer. Been 6 months since he passed, and my heart is still broken.
The Exotic Birds album is so underrated. Tracks such as Nothing But The Truth and Strong As Samson are right up there. Such a lovely bloke, married to Franky for 54 years. So sad.
Sad news about Gary Brooker. One of the grand voices of English rock in the late 60's-early 70's. Loved the band through their early albums up to the Live Edmonton album. I got to see them live in 1970 at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino. They were on tour to promote the Home album with Robin Trower still in the band. They did most of that album and a lot of the early classics from the first 3 albums. A great show with Blodwyn Pig and Leon Russell also on the bill. Gary Brooker came out for the Procol set after Leon Russell's encore and was a bit dismayed because Leon had slammed the piano lid down multiple times during his finale of Delta Lady and put the piano out of tune. Gary soldiered on and Procol did their set, nonetheless. I didn't see you mention the 1991 reunion album, The Prodigal Stranger. One of Gary Brooker's best vocals ever is on the track, A Dream In Every Home. Another Brooker classic is Limelight, from the Alan Parsons Project Stereotomy album. RIP.
Great story about the Swing! I remember catching both Procol Harum and Leon Russell back on the early Seventies. God was Leon a force of nature in concert!
My personal favourite is "Broken Barricades " . Saw them at The Dome in Brighton , England in '71 headlining with Terry Reid and Stone the Crows . A great gig . The track "Simple Sister " and the whole Barricades album has some great Hendrix influenced guitar from Robin Trower . Good Video as always Mazzy .
Lovely stuff Mazzy. A Salty Dog remains my favourite of the band. Remember listening to it a couple of times in record listening booths before making my purchase coz a new LP was a big investment and you couldn't make a mistake.
So good live, the stage bathed in green and gold, Keith Reid leaning on the grand piano drinking champagne in a silver ice holder, just elegant as they played Shine on Brightly.
Nice work here, Mazzy. Long time no see :) Sad news. Heard Whiter Shade Of Pale as a kid but getting Home as a gift as a kid of 13 in '70 hooked me. Not only for Gary's vocals but this is my intro to Robin Trower. Simple Sister from Broken Barricades was great, too. While i bought the first album years ago (VS, SM, Ca) i haven't seen it in years. Rest In Peace, Gary.
1991 they reformed with Trower and Fisher and it was a record called Prodigal Stranger- Quite a good record- from 1991 on and with the birth of the internet, Gary started bringing back Procol- After '91 the members also became the same- Geoff Whitehorn gtr-Matt Pegg Bass Josh Phillips organ and 2 awesome drummers Geoff Dunn and Mark Brzezicki who took turns over the years- But a very long lived awesome touring band, orchestral concerts revisited, just an incredible legacy of a band that has really been with us for a very long time.
I remember reading that Procol Harum's lyricist Keith Reid said that the surreal words to "A Whiter Shade of Pale" were about a man looking back and deeply regretting he took a girl's virginity (one of sixteen vestal virgins that were leaving for the coast) while vacationing on a ship and never continuing the relationship with her". The pain of love lost. Gary Brooker was a great musician and singer-songwriter who cowrote with Reid many amazing songs besides AWSOP including "Conquistador", "Shine on Brightly" & "A Salty Dog".
I loved all their albums till1974. My favourite is Grand Hotel, to me their sound reached perfection here. I want "A Rum Tale" to be played at my funeral.
Harum had that original qualety lyrics and musicvice. Young people don"t know them and thats a shame. Harum are timeles beauty wich still makes me puting there albums on and I"m never disapointed although I today play a lot of jazz on my saxofones.
Only the previous losses of Bowie and Jim Carroll have prepared me for days with news like this. Bowie's going made me feel mortal, slowly working down deep. Jim's revealed what even a broken life could leave behind, although always with a sense there could have been more but for his tragic youth and slow fading. However, unlike Jim, but just like Bowie, Gary stayed out there doing it, sharing himself with us all, in ways old and new. Gary's path through life might not have been all wine and roses, but I'm always warmed by such insights as this: "He was above all a devoted and loyal husband to Franky, whom he met in 1965 and married in 1968” Peace to you Mrs. Brooker, and I pray that if not today, someday, his voice can move you, like it does so many of us, his fans, again to a place of tranquility and knowing.
On your recommendation from a previous video I bought A Salty Dog (I already had the first album). What an album! Varied in style yet hangs together as a whole piece. Great, obfuscated lyrics. Thanks Mazzy!
Thank you Mazzy for this wonderful tribute to a band and Gary in particular that has been a great part of my musical journey since the late 60's. I was fortunate to see them play several times. The last time was in 2019 in Atlanta on their last American tour and it was so special. ✌✌.
Okay. I am so sold on Procol Harum. That live record is incredible. Thank you for piquing my interest in this amazing band. Previously, I knew just one song well. Now I have picked up about 5 records, having previously only owning a CD comp. Also, I am now listening to Sea Train. Thanks, Mazzy! Oops! I now realize that I already sent you a message about this. I have become obsessed.
I'm surprised you left out The Prodigal Stranger. Although I always felt it sounded more like a Gary Brooker solo album than Procol Harum, even with Robin Trower and Matthew Fisher in tow. But I do agree with you that The Well's On Fire is a great album. When I first heard it I remarked that Procol Harum is back! Which led to a serious let down when I bought Novum.
Yeah, I thought that I missed something when he overlooked Prodigal Stranger. But maybe he doesn't have the record. But his collection is awesome and he is two years older then me and way cooler.
Wow so sad. One of my favorite musicians. I could listen to his voice forever. What amazed me about him and Eric Burden is that they sounded much older than they were, almost like middle aged black men when they were in their teens. You could really hear the influence of their American soul and blues heroes. Thank you Mr. Brooker, R.I.P.
Nice overview Mazzy. I've been very late getting to this band mainly because their records very rarely appear in the UK (outside of comps). I finally found what I thought was a Music for Pleasure reissue of 'A Salty Dog' but it turned out to be a comp that it had been given that name very misleadingly. Great music.
@@mazzysmusic Thanks. I would be happy to send you a signed copy. I have a box of them getting in my way here. Send me your address if you're interested.
Видеоклипы
Singer, songwriter, musician,self taught arranger Gary Brooker is amongst the best British male vocalist of all time, anyone care to listen to the last studio album Novum,I played it last night and melted when I heard The only one, his voice has been thrown back 30 years he sings it like a GOD just unbelievable, then the next song is a personal thank you goodbye ballad where you can hear the frailness in his voice. RIP legend
This one hurts. Gary Brooker was a brilliant vocalist with a great blues voice. Very sad.
ALL HANDS ON DECK, WE'VE RUN AFLOAT... I know what I'm putting on when I get home. Great tribute sir. Much respect Gary, you were one of the good ones.
The heroes are all departing the stage. A timely, dignified tribute.
Oh but the heavenly supergroup awaiting us when our time comes!!!!
So true.
I rarely go through a week without listening to A Whiter Shade Of Pale. A song you can't hear too many times.
We aren't immortal and we keep getting reminded of that. Too many passing.
Gary Brooker A great artist. Last saw Procol Harum live in Malta in 2019. What a show. Rest in peace Gary
I saw Gary with Ringo's All-Starrs some years back in '99. Along with Ringo and Gary, the band included Jack Bruce, Todd Rundgren, and Simon Kirke. Gary sang as great as ever.
Gary Brooker and Mark Lanegan die on the same day. What a sad, sad day.
A great tribute by Norman here - you are a class act.
Thank you. Just love sharing the work of these great artists
Ian MacDonald of King Crimson also. Rough week!
Great Britain you have such great musicians!
Greetings from Germany
I loved Gary Brooker with all my heart
My brother had A Salty Dog and Shine On Brightly, I LOVE A Salty Dog it’s a perfect record every song is great. I have multiple copies cd and vinyl, including MoFi releases. Live At Edmonton also a perfect record, Conquistador Live is better than the studio version. A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of the greatest rock songs ever. RIP Gary Brooker…✌️
So happy to hear tributes like this one extolling the absolute brilliance of A Salty Dog, which after a time overtook Shine on Brightly for me, even though I tend more toward prog than other rock genres
That live version of 'Conquistador' is flawless. Out of all the great live albums (Deep Purple's Made in Japan as an example) and live songs released, can't think of a live song that tops 'Conquistador' (live in Edmonton).
@@terrythekittieful Maybe, just maybe Frampton's Do You Feel Like We Do, but mostly because those performances so outshine the studio versions. I was 11, about to disembark from U.S. to then W Germany and will never forget the impression every time Conquistador cycled onto AM radio.
Hey Mazzy: there was a Gary Brooker album released in 1985 called Echoes in the Night which featured Matthew Fisher playing keyboards as well as 5 songs written by Brooker/Fisher/Reid with B.J. Wilson on drums: it's like half a Procol 80s album, and was co-produced by Gary and Matthew. It's the lost middle stage between Something Magic and The Prodigal Stranger album of 1991. There's also a 1995 RCA studio album called The Symphonic Music of Procol Harum which features Brooker, Fisher, Trower and a couple of guest stars, Tom Jones and Jerry Hadley, which is quite good. And the last music that Procol released was an cd single with 2 songs by Brooker/Reid:. "Missing Persons (Alive Forever)" and "War is Not Healthy" which was released last year.
Gary and Procol gave their all ...
Echoes in the night was Gary's best solo album by a mile due I think to Keith Reids input.I can't say enough about Garry I love the man
Impressive stuff! R.I.P. Gary Brooker, one of the most soulful sounding poetic rock singers of alltime!
Alguem pra traduzir em portugues...sou fã numero 1 do procom Harumm
Getting old means you see most of your heroes pass. The center can't hold, thing's fall apart, that's life. Still I wonder how can Gary Brooker be gone?
His voice lives on eternally.
My favourite band since 1967 on hearing AWSOP. Saw them several times including the line up with Robin Trower. A fantastic vocalist and brilliant pianist. All the line ups were great and of course they had BJ Wilson who for me was the finest drummer of any rock band ever. RIP Gary, hope you are reunited with BJ.
A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of my most loved songs ever and a very popular song in the world which has been left behind by Gary. It remainds eternally sung by the people all over the world. Rest in peace Gary.
I saw them in Central Park August 1971. Robin Trower had left a short time before this but they were touring for Broken Barricades and they were great. I was in awe of them. I paid 3 or 4 dollars for my ticket from a scalper just before the concert started. It was put on by Schaefer Music Festival. Gary Brooker had one of the greatest voices in British rock and he was a wonderful composer as well . May he RIP.
Simple Sister on WBCN !!
Very sad to hear about the passing of Gary Brooker. A shame that 'Whiter Shade of Pale' seems to overshadow the many, many wonderful songs this band recorded. 'In Held 'Twas In l' was an extended piece of the kind that was, possibly, never done before. They never got real credit for that. The live album I saw them perform in London as an anniversary concert. The lady next to me was in tears at the end of the performance, the music was so moving, 'Whaling Stories', my God!
I got Gary Brooker to sign my CD copy of the 'Edmonton concert'. He came across as a nice, down to earth guy. RIP Gary Brooker.
I agree with everything you said,I was at that concert too.
Very saddened to hear about Gary Brooker. RIP Have been a fan since I first heard "White Shade Of Pale" in the summer of 1967. Very nice overview and tribute, Mazzy. They did have one other album released in 1991, 'The Prodigal Stranger'.
'The Prodigal Stranger' is probably my favorite of their later albums. Another tribute did not mention it either. For any who missed, or haven't tried it in awhile, it perhaps exceeds Grand Hotel, in its expression of emotion.
Very sad news about Gary, nice to see all those albums again, thanks.
RIP Gary Brooker.... I played Procol Harum for decades
A 'Salty Dog' was my favorite - but all of them were great (the albums) and had something on them worth the purchase back then.
I'm sure you knew this, but the title of the opus on side two of Shine on Brightly comes from
In the darkness of the night
Held close by that which some despise
Twas springtime at the circus
In the autumn of my madness
I know if I'd been wiser.
Thank you for the warm post mortem. Procol was my favorite band from '67-'77. They got out
when punk and disco took over.
I love Shine lp but the sound quality still bugs me to this day! I heard that the British pressing was superior as was the case in so many late 60s & 70s records.The Atco Cream records have thin bass. I could go on and on !
The live with the Edmonton symphony orchestra is from my hometown and procol harum what a special band broken barricades was my favorite love Gary's solo albums to rest in Peace Gary Brooker your music has touched our hearts and lives
Thank you for this posting. I think it is the best one on the death of Gary Brooker. I went to Procol Harum's concerts every time they came to Detroit. They usually played at the old Ford Auditorium. I never saw them with Matthew Fisher or Robin Trower, but I was never disappointed. Chris Copping (a mate from their days in Essex) and Mick Grabham were substantial members of the band for many years. Gary Brooker's voice was so powerful live. The "Still there'll be more" set also includes the videos and the Hollywood Bowl live concert. Many years ago I connected with Chris Copping via the net. He retired to Melbourne, Australia. He kindly sent me a burn of the Hollywood Bowl concert. One of two pieces of Procol Harum memorabilia I own. I also have the Gazza cd of BROKEN BARRICADES -- Mr. Brooker's private label. Mr. Brooker was also given an MBE, Member of the British Empire, honor by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 for his charitable concerts, including one at an Anglican Church in England. That concert was released by Repertoire. Great sound, incredible performances of religious and Procol Harum songs. An acoustic concert. The German label Repertoire re-mastered and released all the albums at one time in the mid 2000s. Beautifully packaged and of course with the great German audiophilia. This included the wide availability of BROKEN BARRICADES for the first time in many many years. I collected as many cd releases as I could, including "Still there'll be more." By the way, there were widespread obituaries -- the Wasington Post, the NY Times, USA Today, the Guardian, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, the LA Times etc. I was surprised and pleased as I read them past midnight on Friday evening, February 25th. Gary Brooker had a life-long marriage to Franky. Or as he once said, "the right girl and the right guy.' But he said something in his last interview with Goldmine that moved me to tears. "My father died when I was eleven and I have always felt alone." I think there is something of that in his voice. My father died the same year when I was three. I hope and pray he no longer feels that special loneliness anymore. Requiescat in Pace Gary...
Gary Brooker is one of the greatest singers of all time. His vocals on All This And More from A Salty Dog gives chills up your spine. Shine On Brightly Gary! Procol lives on forever!
R.I.P. Mr. Brooker and thanks for that Voice and the music...The KOOKSTER'S Vault
summer of '67 i was in the gallery of a boat crossing the Chesapeake Bay while tuning any radio stations from the western shore..."Whiter Shade of Pale" was playing to my discovery. as Chambers Brothers sang, "my soul was
psychedelicizied " "A Salty Dog " album played non stop summer of '69. Till the other day, i had tickets to London
Palladium for Procol Harum appearance with full symphony since april 2020. so sad for me that Mr. Brooker's
spirit and humour was stunted by pandemic and condition before such a celebration to culminate a great band's
and talent exhibition.
Powerful voice ,
May his memory be a blessing
Grand Hotel is an exquisite album. It may be compositionally superior to Salty Dog. It doesn't have the pathos of SD but has its own more mature sort of exhausted aristocratic temperament. Every tune is a beautiful artistic work of art. The production is flawless. Grand Hotel itself is a masterpiece of orchestration, Fires Which Burn Brightly is stroke of pure genius, A Rum Tale is a dazzling reminiscence and Toujours L'amour is a cracking good break up song. Thank God for Procol Harum.
Always one of my favorite bands. Saw them twice in the 70s and 3x in the 2000s most recently on their last tour March 2019 in NJ. They were always terrific..... RIP Gary
very nice tribute...always loved procol harum....whiter shade of pale is still one of my favorite songs...i always associate that with nights in white satin...in fact, in one of my previous bands, i used to sing those songs together...rest in peace mr. brooker...all the good ones...stay well my friend...peace always...rocky
Love hearing your stories, Mazzy. I’m sorry to hear about Gary. Even though we may not personally know them, when members of bands who’s music means so much to us pass away, it can definitely hit you. I’ve got a few of Procol Harum’s records, and I’ll add em to my “records to listen to this evening” pile. Thanks, Mazzy. Good stuff.
Hi Mazzy, This was an excellent tribute to Gary, and the band. I was lucky enough to see them at MSG, in 1973 just when Grand Hotel came out,they were wonderful ! Sadly I purged all their vinyl albums in the 90's,I wish I had them back ! I agree Grand Hotel and exotic birds and fruit go together so well. Thanks Mazzy ! Cindy
Cindy, I remember that tour I think that was a Felt Forum show. I miss B.J. Wilson and now I miss Gary Brooker. Robin Trower is still around see him if you can.
@@henryedwards6408 Henry, You may be correct about that, I may have got my venues mixed up. Thank You, Cindy
Cindy you were absolutely correct. The Felt Forum was the five thousand seat boxing arena in the bottom of MSG. Always a better place to see a show than the twenty thousand seat arena upstairs. Leo Kottke opened up the show. I had a chance to ask him about touring with Procol Harum in 1983 and he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. They took him on his first European tour and he made contacts with promoters in n Europe that lasted the rest of his career. That particular night was memorable for me because after the Procol Harum show I ran out of the Garden grabbed a cab and went downtown to the Bottom Line to catch a Ry Cooder late show! What a night! It’s great to be young.
Yes,It was great to be young ! What magic we shared,we thought it would last forever !
Hi Mazzy. What a sad day. Another great voice from a favorite band of mine. When my dad had a stroke several years ago.... their music helped and in a way helped my dad's rehabilitation. Love your incredible stories. thank you for this PH and Gary Brooker tribute
.
RIP Mr Brooker - such a supremely talented composer, musician, leader. PH will always be my all-time favorite progressive rock band. You will be so sorely missed. God bless your precious memory.
Devil Came From Kansas oh my what a song and the drums are incredible 😀
Hi Mazzy,you said it's February 18th,which would actually be the day before Gary passed.Yesterday was 2/22/22. Anyway hearing the news hurt me deeply.A fan since the beginning.(67)
I got to see Procal Harum in 1968,I was 15 and I still remember how amazing they were.Shine on Brightly and Salty Dog,omg! I think I would say Conquistador is my favorite with A Salty Dog a close 2nd. Whiter Shade of Pale of course the standard.
You're right about the Salty Dog album,I probably,like you,listened to it on a daily basis for atleast a month.
Thankyou for sharing this collection and heartfelt tribute to a voice that will live on eternally. RIP Gary Brooker
Yeah I corrected date in the description
One of the finest voices of the British sound...r.i.p. Gary Brooker and thanks for the emotions...
Great video and tribute! FYI......"A Salty Dog" was their third album and final with Matthew Fisher. Chris Copping took over organ duties starting on "Home".
You also left out "The Prodigal Stranger" from 1991...Fisher on organ :)
I am so sorry... I can't find the words... R.I.P. Great man R.I.P.
Now that's a cool collection! I saw PH a few years ago at a very small openair-concert in Switzerland. Garys voice still sounded the same as it did 50 years ago...incredible. A humble human being. RIP!
Wow! What an excellent collection of… collections. And an excellent tribute to Gary Brooker. Purist for sure.
Thanks for thinking about the cd people. A Salty Dog is my favarite album of PH. The reunion album: Prodigal Stranger, I like also. RIP Gary.
I don't believe in having heroes anymore but made an exception for Gary .This man has been part of my life since 1967,seen Procol 8 times and was due to see them again just a few days ago.Apart from his great music he also had a great sense of humour.Gary will live on in his music and I will be listening till its my turn to go.RIP Gary and thanks for everything
Thank you very much. Now I'm discovering this band... I'm enjoying a lot this music. Salty Dog is a (Almost) prog album... Wonderful albums!!!! Thank you to share it!!! Music loves Mazzy!!!! Greeting from Barcelona.
I was watching Gary Brooker singing "Limelight" yesterday just because I like it so much and saw that he passed away, I just started to cry. Listen to him sing that song, It is melodic and poetic. RIP Gary...
Their comeback CD "The Prodigal Stranger" was chock-full of great cuts. Out of the dozen songs, four are outstanding. The album was actually a collection of demos that initially were to be re-recorded, but Zoo Entertainment decided what they brought in was fine, and so be it! It was released a year after BJ Wilson was removed from life support after a drug-induced stroke. May Gary rest in peace with BJ and Dave Ball, of the Edmonton Live album.
A nice segment on a Fine Band and Leader. This piece motivated me to clean my PH Collection with the "Old Dr. V" and put them in new Jackets and Inner Sleeves. Your Collection blows me away and terrifies my Wife with potential Financial Ruin. I Have Collected 2/Shine Thru 8/Exotic via cutout racks and some are in pretty rough shape but are all playable. Looking now for the 1st and enjoyed learning about the options for a buy. This review gave me a much greater insight into these LPs, RIP GB, LP Collecting Rocks! Thanks, Bob-In Denver
Gary was so unique. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I think I'm the odd duck but I really liked 1991s Prodigal Stranger album.
Best cover of Whiter Shade of Pale I've heard is by Dan Reeder.
I love his voice. This is such a huge loss. ♥️ Great video Mazzy.
Thank you for this very fine tribute, wonderful band.
RIP Mr Brooker.
Wonderful overview. The "Conquistador" 45 was my introduction to Procol Harum. I am still working on getting all their albums. He did have such an amazing soulful voice.
Truly the end of an era with Brooker's passing, and this is a lovely dedication. Thank you once again Norman. 🙏🏻🎹
Hello Norman ... I love listening to your Music progs and you have widened my music taste ... hugely. Listening to Olfur Arnolds through you but tonight The Cure live in Orange with a glass of Cider. Best wishes from Wiltshire .. England
I love all the early albums up to Grand Hotel which might be my favorite album. The song "Fires (Which Burn Brightly)" is really a great mix of classical music and rock. Christiane Legrand lends her soprano voice on the scat singing parts She was the lead soprano of the original Swingle Singers from France. And yes B.J. Wilson was truly an unrated drummer.
Great tribute. Hugely underrated band, I only knew them for the two big hits in the UK 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' and 'Homberg' but picked up a copy of 'A Salty Dog' based on the cover alone and never looked back. Very sad loss....
his 1996 solo album WITHIN OUR HOUSE is a "must have" along with the LIVE at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
A wonderful remembrance of a truly talented musician and gentleman, Gary Brooker., Norman. It was nice hearing your history of loving Procol Harem and great experience seeing them all those years ago. There's something about 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' especially that always sounded like a classic, something that sounded like it came from some unknown, forgotten past. It had that character even when the song was new I think. R.I.P. Gary...
-Gary
Spelling p h.
Grand Hotel is a tour de force of Gary and the Harum...thank you for the vid
Thanks Mr. Norman .... Jimmy ...
Gary Brooker died at the age of 76. (R.I.P.) 02.19.2022 Cancer. A remarkable and unforgettable voice. I Love You, Gary. I Love Procol Harum. 😭😭😭😭😭😭
What a fine tribute to Procol Harum - still one of my favorite bands.
Well, I have purchased 5 P.H. records since viewing this blog. Thank you!! I am very happy to know more now than A Whiter Shade of Pale. I previously had a CD version of their anthology that I really never listened to thoroughly. Wow!
R.I.P. Gary what a voice!!! That concert you saw sounds amazing. Deep Purple is my favorite band to see them on their first tour must have been magical.
Awesome of you to do this one.. Awesome as usual that is!
I revisited this excellent video today. They really weren't prog but were considered so I think because they loved playing with orchestras and choirs and they were one of the first bands to do it, and they often revisited that performance style. One of the finest bands of all time, and Gary Brooker was a true composer. Been 6 months since he passed, and my heart is still broken.
The Exotic Birds album is so underrated. Tracks such as Nothing But The Truth and Strong As Samson are right up there. Such a lovely bloke, married to Franky for 54 years. So sad.
Sad news about Gary Brooker. One of the grand voices of English rock in the late 60's-early 70's. Loved the band through their early albums up to the Live Edmonton album. I got to see them live in 1970 at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino. They were on tour to promote the Home album with Robin Trower still in the band. They did most of that album and a lot of the early classics from the first 3 albums. A great show with Blodwyn Pig and Leon Russell also on the bill. Gary Brooker came out for the Procol set after Leon Russell's encore and was a bit dismayed because Leon had slammed the piano lid down multiple times during his finale of Delta Lady and put the piano out of tune. Gary soldiered on and Procol did their set, nonetheless. I didn't see you mention the 1991 reunion album, The Prodigal Stranger. One of Gary Brooker's best vocals ever is on the track, A Dream In Every Home. Another Brooker classic is Limelight, from the Alan Parsons Project Stereotomy album. RIP.
Great story about the Swing! I remember catching both Procol Harum and Leon Russell back on the early Seventies. God was Leon a force of nature in concert!
My personal favourite is "Broken Barricades " . Saw them at The Dome in Brighton , England in '71 headlining with Terry Reid and Stone the Crows . A great gig . The track "Simple Sister " and the whole Barricades album has some great Hendrix influenced guitar from Robin Trower . Good Video as always Mazzy .
Lovely stuff Mazzy. A Salty Dog remains my favourite of the band. Remember listening to it a couple of times in record listening booths before making my purchase coz a new LP was a big investment and you couldn't make a mistake.
Well done. RIP Gary
I was fortunate to see them in concert in 1973....in my TOP 3 best ever concerts🥰
I just love Gary Brooker's obvious Ray Charles influence on the first couple of Procol Harum albums.
'As Strong As Samson' is a great but overlooked classic of theirs.
True and they did it so well live
And very topical for the current world.....
So good live, the stage bathed in green and gold, Keith Reid leaning on the grand piano drinking champagne in a silver ice holder, just elegant as they played Shine on Brightly.
Nice work here, Mazzy. Long time no see :)
Sad news.
Heard Whiter Shade Of Pale as a kid but getting Home as a gift as a kid of 13 in '70 hooked me. Not only for Gary's vocals but this is my intro to Robin Trower.
Simple Sister from Broken Barricades was great, too.
While i bought the first album years ago (VS, SM, Ca) i haven't seen it in years.
Rest In Peace, Gary.
1991 they reformed with Trower and Fisher and it was a record called Prodigal Stranger- Quite a good record- from 1991 on and with the birth of the internet, Gary started bringing back Procol- After '91 the members also became the same- Geoff Whitehorn gtr-Matt Pegg Bass Josh Phillips organ and 2 awesome drummers Geoff Dunn and Mark Brzezicki who took turns over the years- But a very long lived awesome touring band, orchestral concerts revisited, just an incredible legacy of a band that has really been with us for a very long time.
I remember reading that Procol Harum's lyricist Keith Reid said that the surreal words to "A Whiter Shade of Pale" were about a man looking back and deeply regretting he took a girl's virginity (one of sixteen vestal virgins that were leaving for the coast) while vacationing on a ship and never continuing the relationship with her". The pain of love lost. Gary Brooker was a great musician and singer-songwriter who cowrote with Reid many amazing songs besides AWSOP including "Conquistador", "Shine on Brightly" & "A Salty Dog".
I loved all their albums till1974. My favourite is Grand Hotel, to me their sound reached perfection here. I want "A Rum Tale" to be played at my funeral.
Great video
Thank you Mazzy
Harum had that original qualety lyrics and musicvice. Young people don"t know them and thats a shame. Harum are timeles beauty wich still makes me puting there albums on
and I"m never disapointed although I today play a lot of jazz on my saxofones.
Thank you mazzy for sharing your recollections with us. Always love the back stories. That is what makes your videos so well done.
Thanks so much.!!!
CD changer can play thru 6 without lifting a finger. I'm hanging on to the cds. Farewell Brooker.
Thanks for standing up for the unjustly maligned CD format.
Only the previous losses of Bowie and Jim Carroll have prepared me for days with news like this. Bowie's going made me feel mortal, slowly working down deep. Jim's revealed what even a broken life could leave behind, although always with a sense there could have been more but for his tragic youth and slow fading. However, unlike Jim, but just like Bowie, Gary stayed out there doing it, sharing himself with us all, in ways old and new.
Gary's path through life might not have been all wine and roses, but I'm always warmed by such insights as this: "He was above all a devoted and loyal husband to Franky, whom he met in 1965 and married in 1968” Peace to you Mrs. Brooker, and I pray that if not today, someday, his voice can move you, like it does so many of us, his fans, again to a place of tranquility and knowing.
Damn. Thanks for this Norman, you're a chap of exquisite taste. RIP Gary...
Wasn’t Salty Dog the third? I love Procul deeply.. wonderful tribute!
Yes it was ❣️
Procol
Sad news, loved his voice so much. Conquistador is my favourite, fantastic song!
Fantastic discography video on this wonderful band! There’s now a few more albums that are on my list that I’ll need to track down.
On your recommendation from a previous video I bought A Salty Dog (I already had the first album). What an album! Varied in style yet hangs together as a whole piece. Great, obfuscated lyrics. Thanks Mazzy!
Thank you Mazzy for this wonderful tribute to a band and Gary in particular that has been a great part of my musical journey since the late 60's. I was fortunate to see them play several times. The last time was in 2019 in Atlanta on their last American tour and it was so special. ✌✌.
What were they thinking with Procol’s Ninth and using that production team? A huge misstep. Wonderful video Mazzy. RIP Gary.
Okay. I am so sold on Procol Harum. That live record is incredible. Thank you for piquing my interest in this amazing band. Previously, I knew just one song well. Now I have picked up about 5 records, having previously only owning a CD comp. Also, I am now listening to Sea Train. Thanks, Mazzy! Oops! I now realize that I already sent you a message about this. I have become obsessed.
Musically obsessed is good 🤠
Thank you for this nice review. From a Dutch huge PH fan with a lot of bootlegs. And BJ indeed so great.
R.I.P. Gary. What a great voice!
I'm surprised you left out The Prodigal Stranger. Although I always felt it sounded more like a Gary Brooker solo album than Procol Harum, even with Robin Trower and Matthew Fisher in tow. But I do agree with you that The Well's On Fire is a great album. When I first heard it I remarked that Procol Harum is back! Which led to a serious let down when I bought Novum.
Yeah, I thought that I missed something when he overlooked Prodigal Stranger. But maybe he doesn't have the record. But his collection is awesome and he is two years older then me and way cooler.
Excellent summary.
Wow so sad. One of my favorite musicians. I could listen to his voice forever. What amazed me about him and Eric Burden is that they sounded much older than they were, almost like middle aged black men when they were in their teens. You could really hear the influence of their American soul and blues heroes. Thank you Mr. Brooker, R.I.P.
Sad news - we grew up to his music in England. As I've mentioned to Studmuffin it's pronounced Procul Harrum.
AS STRONG AS SSMSON a most loved tune.GARY N BJ WILSON shine.
Nice overview Mazzy. I've been very late getting to this band mainly because their records very rarely appear in the UK (outside of comps). I finally found what I thought was a Music for Pleasure reissue of 'A Salty Dog' but it turned out to be a comp that it had been given that name very misleadingly. Great music.
Thanks James and congrats on your Squeeze book ✌🏽
@@mazzysmusic Thanks. I would be happy to send you a signed copy. I have a box of them getting in my way here. Send me your address if you're interested.