LIVE IN CONCERT WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

I continue my Procol Harum journey after five studio records of both good and bad experiences. Insted of a studio record I now have enjoyed a live rocording from 1972 an this disc is absolutely their best until then. The marriage of Procol Harum and an orchestra was exactly what their music needed to take a welcome step to a more interesting and symphonic music. Of course the choice of songs is an important part to make this album so good.

It has a fine cover picture where we can see the band and the orchestra play and it features Gary Brooker, Dave Ball(guitars), Alan Cartwright(bass), Chris Copping, Keith Reid, Barrie James Wilson and The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

The record has one song from Procol Harum: "Conquistador" which grows here with the orchestra and is much better than on the album(9/10). I love the melody and it's beautifully sung and the guitar fit perfect in the orchestration. From Shine on brightly we have one, but a long track "In held Twas In I" and that is of course an amazing track. This live version has a little more spirit and power than the album version and it's a pure fantastic time to listen to it(9/10). Two songs are from A Salty Dog. The title track "A Salty Dog" though was a little better on the studio record where it was a little clearer, but of course it's great also here(8/10). "All this and more" is also from that record and shows a great organ(8/10). From "Home" is the song "Whaling stories" taken and it's perfect in this song to mix the orchestra with the rock band. I love this version and I think it's very strong with a great guitar solo too(9/10). Finaly the bonus track "Luskus Delph" comes from Broken Barricades and this live version is much more powerful. The composition is lovely and the orchestra brings it to another level(9/10).

This record is very good and perhaps the best way to enjoy Procol Harum. It is really the adding of an orchestra that makes this music so good and progressive. Alone, unfortunately the band lacks the little extra and appears to just be a common rock band. I hope this was an injection that made the music more innovative in the future. I like this record very much. Four strong stars!