Category: Procol Harum

Procol’s first single proved to be a fantastic stroke of luck, topping the UK charts with its quintessentially English stateliness.

Although initially lost in the flurry of psych/prog releases at year’s end, this is today recognized as an early classic in the genre.

The band forges brightly into future with this literary, ambitious follow-up, capped by the multipart suite, “In Held Twas In I.”

An epic musical voyage, with the band’s collective artistry in full sail and Keith Reid’s poetry as their north star.

The brilliant title track from A Salty Dog didn’t seafare so well on the charts, disappearing after one week. Hmph, landlubbers.

I’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

Macabre ruminations from the poet in residence and great guitar licks (but few memorable melodies) sum up Procol’s fourth.

The band’s fifth includes a few great tracks, but the split in musical personalities between Brooker and Trower is increasingly evident.

What do you get when you combine a rock band with a full orchestra and chorus? No, seriously, I’m asking.

The ornate rock of Procol Harum plus an orchestra proves to be a double-edged, jewel-encrusted sword.