Top 7 Procol Harum Albums

One and only

Thanks for the updated ranking of the albums Psychedelic Paul. Comparing this with the ratings on Progarchives, the picture so far is fairly consistent. The top 7 highest rated PH studio albums on this site are in order:
1. Shine on Brightly
2. Procol Harum
3. Grand Hotel
4. A Salty Dog
5. Home
6. Exotic Birds & Fruits
7. Broken Barricades

In Concert with EPO rates a bit higher than Shine On but has a lot less ratings, and I'm not sure live albums should be included in this ranking, though that one may be justified because the live version of Conquistador is really different than the original and became a big hit.

Anyway, I consider each of their first 3 to be classics and seminal proto-prog-rock albums. PH's influence on progressive rick is often not appreciated. The reason why I ranked A Salty Dog a bit higher than the debut and Shine On is that while it does not have an extended composition like In Held Twas I (the first in Prog-Rock I think), more than any albums it explores a wide range of musical styles and instrumentation, representing the band at their peak in innovation and musicianship. This is partly due to the larger contributions on this album of Matthew Fisher (who composed the beautiful Pilgrim's Progress and Wreck of the Hesperus) and Robin Trower. While I love Gary Brooker's music, it's too bad Fisher left after A Salty Dog.

Philchem8 wrote: Thanks for the updated ranking of the albums Psychedelic Paul. Comparing this with the ratings on Progarchives, the picture so far is fairly consistent. The top 7 highest rated PH studio albums on this site are in order: 1. Shine on Brightly 2. Procol Harum 3. Grand Hotel 4. A Salty Dog 5. Home 6. Exotic Birds & Fruits 7. Broken Barricades In Concert with EPO rates a bit higher than Shine On but has a lot less ratings, and I'm not sure live albums should be included in this ranking, though that one may be justified because the live version of Conquistador is really different than the original and became a big hit. Anyway, I consider each of their first 3 to be classics and seminal proto-prog-rock albums. PH's influence on progressive rick is often not appreciated. The reason why I ranked A Salty Dog a bit higher than the debut and Shine On is that while it does not have an extended composition like In Held Twas I (the first in Prog-Rock I think), more than any albums it explores a wide range of musical styles and instrumentation, representing the band at their peak in innovation and musicianship. This is partly due to the larger contributions on this album of Matthew Fisher (who composed the beautiful Pilgrim's Progress and Wreck of the Hesperus) and Robin Trower. While I love Gary Brooker's music, it's too bad Fisher left after A Salty Dog.

Philchem8 wrote: Yeah well, in the end, it's a question of personal taste. I see that you have The Long Goodbye as your #1 but to be honest that's one of the few I have not listened to so I will give it a try. I saw PH live during their Prodigal Stranger tour and enjoyed it, though more for the old stuff they included.

Oh yeah, I didn't think compilations would be included.

This reminds me I'm long overdue for a Procol binge.

Top 7 update with Xonty & Enigmatic's votes added:-

Top 7 update with Boojieboy's votes added:-

Boojieboy wrote: It should be pointed out: 1) The first album was recorded in mono, so suffers in that regard. It is also not very representative of the band. Very strange to put it in a number 2, when it should be way down at the bottom. 2) "The Long Goodbye" is not an official PH album. It was recorded with a symphony as a "symphonic representation" of PH's music. Only later did the record company try to stick the band's name on it to help it sell better, though it is often out-of-print. 3) "The Prodigal Stranger" is the band's most pop album, and was recorded with a big 80's sound/production unlike any of the other albums. Most PH fans avoid it like the plague.