Ignoring the members of this band and their past to take it on face value, This is a great metal played well and delivered is a great deal of enthusiasm. You would be hard pressed to listen to anything of this consistent quality. One the better metal albums you will hear this or any other year.
Procul Harum: In Concert with...
This is Procul Harum playing with the Danish Nations Concert Orchestra and Choir, taking their already progressive symphonic rock to a whole new level. The music lends itself so well to this sort of treatment, you can’t believe you have heard it any other way. The fact these guys were enjoying their greatest success in the late '60s demonstrates clearly how ageless their music was and is.
“Whiter Shade of Pale” sounds quite staggeringly amazing when played in this setting. Gary Brooker, lead vocalist and pianist, is on amazing form considering his age. His voice probably sounds better today than it did in the '60s. His voices gives the songs such gravitas that when you add the chorale accompaniment it becomes something very special indeed.
This was filmed and recorded over two nights outdoors at festival on the grounds of Ledreborg Castle. The recording, made in 2006, is crisp and clear quite impressive considering the setting. Sold separately there is a CD & DVD. The DVD includes an amusing and very “of its time” recording for a Danish TV show with polite '70s clad fans looking admirably on, in a bit of a daze.
Either choice is well worth the money for any Procul Harum fan and I can find fault with neither. There are extensive liner notes about the event, all in all good value for money containing a stellar performance.
Well that bit of orchestral elegance ends yet another motley collection of recent releases. I hope, at least one finds your fancy. As always check out live music when you can, stay safe and rocking.
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