LIVE IN CONCERT WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Procol Harum

Crossover Prog

4.09 | 148 ratings

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Sean Trane
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk

4.5 stars really!!!

Most bands have one day the wish to realize their fantasies and one of those is to play with a philharmonic orchestra. Most of those projects are awful (Deep Purple) because the composer of the rock parts is not strong enough to use the orchestra as a single instrument. Some were under-rehearsed (Caravan), as this is so expensive to pay all of those musicians to rehearse, just for one night even if it is recorded.

And then comes along Gary Brooker, who by himself is a philharmonic orchestra and looking at the numbers that they did here is plainly evident: the man wrote most of his songs as a classical musician. Conquistador had passed unnoticed in 68 but with this version will become another smash hit. Whaling takes on a new life, but the real gem here is the Held Twas suite. Another two ntracks from A Salty Dog are also of great use. The funny thing is that gary Brooker and no real formal training at directing orchestras, but he is a natural at it as his arrangements are probably the most successful from a rock musician, ever.

On the downside, Copping moves to the organ (he was the bassist, but does a credible job as organist), Cartwright takes up bass duties and Dave Ball is trying to fill Trower's shoes, which of course is impossible. But this album serves as a turning point of the previous era (a sort of recap if you wish) and opens up the second era where Brooker is given freedom to expose his grandiose and pompous projects. The recent re-issue gives an extra track in Lukus Delpht, BTW

Sean Trane | 4/5 | 2004-5-24

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