Gary Brooker (in his mid-sixties at the time of this concert) composed song, chorus and orchestra. Genius. One of the very rare times a live version is clearly better than the original studio recording (40 years later!). Amazing.
I believe John Lennon once remarked that this was one of his favorite songs of all time and he considered it a masterpiece , or something to that effect .
The reason " older folks " reference this song? It holds a special place in our hearts and minds because it was THE song in 1967's Summer of Love. Released as the debut single of Procol Harum in May, 1967, it sold 10 million units worldwide. The Beatles' " Sgt. Pepper's " was issued two weeks later.
This was amazing. This song was released when I was a little girl but it was played in heavy rotation when I was in my 20's in the late 1980's and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. I still remember the first time I heard it played on the radio, the hair on the back of my neck stood up and chills ran all through my body. It is an absolute classic that is as moving today as it was then. Thanks Tim for requesting 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'.
As you said, Gary Brooker's voice in 2006 is nearly identical to the voice he had in 1967 at the age of 22, which is phenomenal. Beautiful ephemeral song, based on misremembered Bach. Lyrics are enigmatic, written to BE enigmatic, as the lyricist was a fan of surrealism and wrote this as a mood piece painted in words. Lots of debate over the decades as to what the lyrics mean, but every interview and reportage of both composer (Brooker) and lyricist (Keith Reid) has few facts in common. The words were written without Reid hearing the music and were messengered to Brooker with another song's lyrics in the package; Brooker put the first set of lyrics he grabbed out of the package and worked it into the music he'd been working on. But after that, there's little that's consistent about the song. Reid was adamant that the reference to "the Miller told his tale" had nothing to do with Chaucer. It's all apocryphal and so lost to the mists of time where the song came from, what the lyrics mean, and even who wrote the music, as the bands then keyboardist 40 years after the release took the band to court for song credit and residuals. And somehow won, with little evidence. So enjoy the mood painting this song evokes, but don't get into the weeds about what it 'means'. Some mysteries are best left unknown and enjoyed.
The best band ever in my opinion,have all their albums and seen them live 8 times (5 with orchestra).I would encourage anyone to check out their albums,,certainly the first 8,they have some truly amazing songs.Gary will be missed by all the bands followers as he was an exceptional performer.
When that iconic organ kicks into life...my mind and soul soars back in time as the goosebumps form...the most beautiful song of all time? Possibly.....❤
A Salty Dog is another hit they did in the 60's. Procol Harum was part of the British invasion along with The Moody Blues, The Beatles, and many more this came out in 1967, the year I graduated and it was played constantly on the radios.
I was 19 years old in 1967,when this came out The singer is Gary Brooker,the band was around for over 40 years Gary was a genius.Unfortunately Gary passed away 2 years ago,RIP Gary,you will be missed!
The song relates to the English author Chaucer who wrote the Canterbury Tales. A series of stories told by each pilgrim on their way to Canterbury Cathedral,this is the Millers Tale how he caught his wife out cheating hence she turned a whiter shade of pale
I still remember Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) in an interview in the 80's mentioning Procol Harum that's remembered for one song /record (can't remember the exact quote). I love the song and maybe 2 others they did, but never knew their name back then.
I’ve never heard of this band but have heard the song before, this was an epic performance from Brooker at 60, he hadn’t lost any depth in his voice, if anything it’s got even better with age.
There is also a video of them from 1967 singing this song. You can hear how Gary Brooker's voice matured and actually sounds better in 2006 than in 1967...th-cam.com/video/CJxpKlTID2Q/w-d-xo.html
There are many misconceptions surrounding the meaning of the song -- see th-cam.com/video/Pf73XwjZIFQ/w-d-xo.html for the interview w-writer Keith Reid & composer/lead singer Gary Brooker, founder of the band began in '67 who passed away in Feb. 2022. It is also said that Reid was "going to reveal the true meaning before he died" but he died before he explained anything. Many people believe it was about a drunken one-night stand. Procol Harum is supposed to have been the name of a friend's cat -- the name is a mis-spelling of the Latin phrase Procul Harun (roughly meaning “far beyond these things”), or that it was a corruption of Procellarum, a vast ocean on the Moon. It was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's “Sleepers, Wake!” and “Air on the G String” but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach although it makes references to both pieces. As per Reid, the line "as the miller told his tale" is definitely not a reference to Chaucer's Miller's Tale. Reid has repeatedly explained he'd never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale. In Roman Times Vestal Virgins were priestesses and acquired their name after Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home to keep the home fires burning. It was their duty to not only remain a virgin for 30 years but they were to keep Vesta's sacred fire burning. This is the Danish National Concert Orchestra, filmed by Ledreborg Castle in Denmark .The song has been the most played song in the U.K. for the last 75 yrs. What you said regarding the choir & orchestra not being overpowering is so correct which was an issue when it was decided to do an album w-Elvis & the Royal Philharmonic, it was an abomination -- overpowering & not even using "his people" on some songs. Thanks.
No computers , No auto Tune...just pure talent....
Gary Brooker (in his mid-sixties at the time of this concert) composed song, chorus and orchestra. Genius. One of the very rare times a live version is clearly better than the original studio recording (40 years later!). Amazing.
Gary's voice aged like a fine wine. It got even better thru the years
Actually Gary was in his 70’s when he did this concert.
@@monticlassictv
61 in 2006. Gary Brooker died at age 76 in February 2022.
This is a musical masterpiece.
I believe John Lennon once remarked that this was one of his favorite songs of all time and he considered it a masterpiece , or something to that effect .
The reason " older folks " reference this song? It holds a special place in our hearts and minds because it was THE song in 1967's Summer of Love. Released as the debut single of Procol Harum in May, 1967, it sold 10 million units worldwide. The Beatles' " Sgt. Pepper's " was issued two weeks later.
This is one of only forty plus songs who's single sold over 10 million copies, not albums singles. It also went number one in like twenty countries
This was amazing. This song was released when I was a little girl but it was played in heavy rotation when I was in my 20's in the
late 1980's and it has been a favorite of mine ever since. I still remember the first time I heard it played on the radio, the hair on the
back of my neck stood up and chills ran all through my body. It is an absolute classic that is as moving today as it was then. Thanks
Tim for requesting 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'.
As you said, Gary Brooker's voice in 2006 is nearly identical to the voice he had in 1967 at the age of 22, which is phenomenal.
Beautiful ephemeral song, based on misremembered Bach. Lyrics are enigmatic, written to BE enigmatic, as the lyricist was a fan of surrealism and wrote this as a mood piece painted in words.
Lots of debate over the decades as to what the lyrics mean, but every interview and reportage of both composer (Brooker) and lyricist (Keith Reid) has few facts in common. The words were written without Reid hearing the music and were messengered to Brooker with another song's lyrics in the package; Brooker put the first set of lyrics he grabbed out of the package and worked it into the music he'd been working on. But after that, there's little that's consistent about the song.
Reid was adamant that the reference to "the Miller told his tale" had nothing to do with Chaucer. It's all apocryphal and so lost to the mists of time where the song came from, what the lyrics mean, and even who wrote the music, as the bands then keyboardist 40 years after the release took the band to court for song credit and residuals. And somehow won, with little evidence.
So enjoy the mood painting this song evokes, but don't get into the weeds about what it 'means'. Some mysteries are best left unknown and enjoyed.
Loved Gary Brooker's powerfully soulful voice.
This song was covered more than 1000 times.
The best band ever in my opinion,have all their albums and seen them live 8 times (5 with orchestra).I would encourage anyone to check out their albums,,certainly the first 8,they have some truly amazing songs.Gary will be missed by all the bands followers as he was an exceptional performer.
John Lennon's all-time favorite song!
When that iconic organ kicks into life...my mind and soul soars back in time as the goosebumps form...the most beautiful song of all time? Possibly.....❤
Procol Harum´s "Conquistador" is a great song too.
Yes, there is an amazing rendition in this concert also!
@@wpollock1 ....they also performed "A Salty Dog" and "Homburg" then.
Paul McCartney was asked other than your Beatle,s songs' Which song do you wish you had written.....thats it right their.
A Salty Dog is another hit they did in the 60's. Procol Harum was part of the British invasion along with The Moody Blues, The Beatles, and many more this came out in 1967, the year I graduated and it was played constantly on the radios.
They were definitely not a one hit wonder band. They were very popular in the 60's and Gary Brooker also sang with the Alan Parson's Project.
What APP song did he sing on n?
I was 19 years old in 1967,when this came out The singer is Gary Brooker,the band was around for over 40 years Gary was a genius.Unfortunately Gary passed away 2 years ago,RIP Gary,you will be missed!
The song relates to the English author Chaucer who wrote the Canterbury Tales. A series of stories told by each pilgrim on their way to Canterbury Cathedral,this is the Millers Tale how he caught his wife out cheating hence she turned a whiter shade of pale
Interesting! Thank you
Simply one of the finest live performances ever recorded
I spent a long period in hospital 1967 and fortunately the hospital radio opened up each day with this ❤❤❤
This is a fabu!ous song, and been popular for so long, but it still gives me goosebumps
I still remember Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) in an interview in the 80's mentioning Procol Harum that's remembered for one song /record (can't remember the exact quote). I love the song and maybe 2 others they did, but never knew their name back then.
I’ve never heard of this band but have heard the song before, this was an epic performance from Brooker at 60, he hadn’t lost any depth in his voice, if anything it’s got even better with age.
I liked what you guys had to say ... we have loved it for a while longer...
Based on Air On A G String!
JS Bach 👍
I recognized the band name and song name but wasn't sure what song it was until it came on. Loved it!
What an experience this must have been for that audience. I wish I had been there.
'Whiter Shade of Pale' musically is based on a piece by Bach, so the intro makes sense. Tbh i prefer the a little more down to earth studio version.
He had another hit Conquistador,and The Salty Dog!
Gary Brooker remained as an original member. You should also review Conquistador from this same concert
Don’t know this song, but it made me really emotional listening to it bringing tears to my eyes.
One of the first albums I bought.
Check out him singing old brown shoe on the George Harrison memorial concert.
Definitely not a one-hit wonder! One of my all-time favourite bands.
There is also a video of them from 1967 singing this song. You can hear how Gary Brooker's voice matured and actually sounds better in 2006 than in 1967...th-cam.com/video/CJxpKlTID2Q/w-d-xo.html
There are many misconceptions surrounding the meaning of the song -- see th-cam.com/video/Pf73XwjZIFQ/w-d-xo.html for the interview w-writer Keith Reid & composer/lead singer Gary Brooker, founder of the band began in '67 who passed away in Feb. 2022. It is also said that Reid was "going to reveal the true meaning before he died" but he died before he explained anything. Many people believe it was about a drunken one-night stand. Procol Harum is supposed to have been the name of a friend's cat -- the name is a mis-spelling of the Latin phrase Procul Harun (roughly meaning “far beyond these things”), or that it was a corruption of Procellarum, a vast ocean on the Moon. It was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's “Sleepers, Wake!” and “Air on the G String” but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach although it makes references to both pieces. As per Reid, the line "as the miller told his tale" is definitely not a reference to Chaucer's Miller's Tale. Reid has repeatedly explained he'd never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale. In Roman Times Vestal Virgins were priestesses and acquired their name after Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home to keep the home fires burning. It was their duty to not only remain a virgin for 30 years but they were to keep Vesta's sacred fire burning. This is the Danish National Concert Orchestra, filmed by Ledreborg Castle in Denmark .The song has been the most played song in the U.K. for the last 75 yrs. What you said regarding the choir & orchestra not being overpowering is so correct which was an issue when it was decided to do an album w-Elvis & the Royal Philharmonic, it was an abomination -- overpowering & not even using "his people" on some songs. Thanks.
Check out Status Quo been going 60 years.
Gary kicked
Sad you said this song us not the same? I heard the 3rd dominate sounds straight away.
Check out Gary Moore - The Messiah will come again - best guitar player in the World.
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When I watch this I think Im not concerned with the Gen Gap. You Guys were late to the Party.
Welp
One hit wonder, lmao...educate yourself. Yeah, all one-hit wonders get national symphonies to back their music!
Relax
@@WelpHereWeAreOnTH-cam I wish I could! I'm just too busy causing trouble ;-)
I meant no harm. Just an old lady gettin her panties in a bunch.
Five minutes of talking is excessive
Lol. You know you can listen to the song with us. Lololol
They also did a song called “Coquistidor”. BTW Peter Frampton named A Whiter Shade of Pale, as the perfect song.
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