GRAND HOTEL

This is easily and honestly my favorite album by the oft underrated and undermentioned band Procol Harum. And it is one of the few albums that could possibly stand quite tall on it's lyrical content alone. Keith Reids "words' and Gary Brookers vocals have always been the crux of the power of Procol Harums each and every album and even with this unheralded new line-up I did not miss Robin Trower much atall. The title track is grand indeed and makes you feel as if you have just checked in to the Hotel grand, where "We drink fine wine and eat rare meats".

" Wheres my continental bride? My continental slip and slide? "

Oh so clever. And so finely and richly produced, you feel as if you are being served these songs on a silver platter... A veritable banquet of songs if you will. There is even a photo of Keith holding out a serving tray. The rest of the LP goes in and out of the light and from room to room in perfect time. "For liquorice John" is a sad and harrowing song about a man who falls from grace ("We saw him wave as he went under"). Fires which burnt brightly is a beautiful anti war song with some of the most fantastic lyrics ever put to song.

("This war we are waging, is already lost, the cause for the fighting, has long been a ghost... malice and habit have now won the day, the honors we fought for are lost in the fray" )

It features amazing and interesting background vocal harmonies by Londons "Swingle sisters" who had released a few albums on philips in the early 1960's if I remember correctly. There are two Procol Harum albums I would recommend to discerning and mature listeners. One is Grand hotel and the other is Salty Dog. These are thinking persons albums, not to be confused with rock and roll.