CLASSIC TRACKS AND RARITIES: AN ANTHOLOGY

A must for anyone that has enjoyed the music of Procol Harum. CD 1 features the original mono version of Whiter shade of pale. The stirring organ lines that sent the member to court over back royalties is evident. Lime Street blues is a lively blues number. Homburg is the third cut. A nice song although I am not quite sure what a homburg is.( an english fashion statement of the 60's?) Good Captain Clack is a little ditty in the vain of Keith Emerson. Strictly piano with a barber shop type of chorus. Conquistador is here, in it's original studio form without the orchestra. It is strange hearing it this way after hearing the live version all these years. It is quite nice to hear the original. She wandered through the garden fence is a nice 60's type of song. Nice organ lines, heavy bass lines as well. Magdalene (my regal zonophone) a nice song. It sounds as if it was recorded in mono. It is hard to tell. A little muddy but nice piano. A Christmas camel another nice piano/organ tune. Classic Procol Harum. Shine on brightly is another strong song on CD 1 in the vain of Whiter shade of pale and Homburg. A nice addition to this collection for the organ alone. In held twas I reminds me of the Moody Blues for the spoken passages. At 17 minutes it features much of anything that you can find on a Procol Harum CD. Excellent production on it and even some influences from The Beatles.

CD2 begins with A Salty dog. A classic sea tale of desperation. A great song to start off the second CD with. It feature haunting piano along with a string arrangement. The milk of human kindness is the first song on these CD's that you can actually hear Robin Trower. It's funny to finally hear him on this song. Pretty standard and subdued playing from him while the piano/organ are forefront. Wreck of the Hesperus sound much like A Salty Dog in it's storytelling presentation. A nice song again, heavy with keys,rhythm section and Robin Trower. All this and more features Robin in the forefront feeding off the vocals of Gary Booker. Crucifiction lane is a bluesy song. Robin and Chris play back and forth trading Guitar/Bass and Organ licks. Whisky Train is another Trower blues song. Nice guitar with backing rhythm section. Whaling Stories brings us full circle back to the sea songs. Classic Procol Harum piano/guitar song. CD 2 concludes with a stereo extended version of Whiter shade of pale. A nice bookend to this CD. This CD would be a nice way to introduce someone to Procol Harum. It has everything to offer someone that is not familiar with this band. The hits to the rarities. Coming in at 36 songs it is a treat. I gave it four stars because I feel that it is more than essential and I am glad that I have it in my collection.