GRAND HOTEL

This is the most even Procol harum record I have heard so far(beside their live) and that brings it the high rating. The band's sixth studio album from 1973 is perhaps one of the best ways to experience Procol Harum. The men clothed as gentlemen with costumes matches the music very well. In the space between this and the last record the band had changed something in their appreance that made them more progressive, special and interesting. Every track has a mighty feeling of being orchestrated. Some of the fantastic feeling on the live disc had been captured and brought here and I like it. Well I lack the perfect tracks and I don't think this band can give me so much more than this, but this is absolutely enough! This orchestrated rock music with big inspiration in the vocals and lyrics.

Gary Brooker sings and plays piano, Alan Cartwright plays bass, Chris Copping plays organ, Mick Grabham plays guitar, Keith Reid is auther, Barrie James Wilson plays drums and mandolins. I must say it feels like the band has gone back to organ driven music.

"Grand Hotel", the title track is amongst the least intriguing ones, but I really appreciate the symphonic feeling(6/10). "Toujour L'Amour" is better. It's a fast and special song(7/10). "A Rum Tale" is perhaps the album's best track(8/10). That melody is wonderful and it's so stripped and fine. "TV Ceaser" is also very good(8/10). It's a mighty piece that use the orchestra well. "A Souvenir of London"(7/10) has taken a bit of country into the prog. "Bringing home the bacon" too has a fine symphonic spirit(8/10). "For Liquorice John" is darker and powerful and some beauty(7/10). "Fines"(7/10) features a female co-singer Christianne Legrand which helps this song to be quite powerful. "Robert's Box" the closer though isn't so interesting even if it's fine(6/10).

The over all rating would be 3,56 and I will round it up to 4 stars. It's not four strong stars as on the live album but I say it again that this is Procol Harums most even and perhaps the best of the albums I have heard until now. Soon I will come back with their next one!