SHINE ON BRIGHTLY

Procol Harum may have been one of the most pretentious prog-related bands due to keyboards and compositonal style but that also helped them staying unique on top of having excellent vocalist, distinguishable bluesy-prog guitar played and having two keyboard players in teh band.

"Shine on Brightly" is rightfully considered to be the band's peak in the 60's due to an excellent fresh combination of pop/rock/prog. It is the last epic suite that provides many astonishing and jaw-dropping moments of gifted composers and players. Tasty guitar playing, ambitious music sections, perfect development of the entire composition and emotional end make the suite "In Held Twas in I" one of the most enigmatic and greatest suites of the late 60's. I've first heard the version by Transatlantic to search for the original version later. The original version sounds more authentic, while the cover is more technical!

Other highlights on the album is the melodic "Quite rightly so" with churning Hammond organ and the title track. This was maybe the artistic peak by the band as later efforts had repetitive elements and in the beginning of the 70's, the band sounded a bit dated.

You should start with this album to appreciate impact that the band made in the beginning of progressive rock.