Procol Harum – “Nothing But the Truth” (1974) Review | What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor?

Kronomyth 8.1: What’s harder than telling the truth? Hearing it.

Another of Keith Reid’s macabre tales, Nothing But the Truth would have felt right at home on A Salty Dog. Whether it references the death of a sailor, an aviator, or something altogether different is open to speculation. Reid’s poetry often eludes ready comprehension, at least by me. Maybe it’s all the metaphors. Anyway, “Nothing But the Truth” is anything but dull, featuring a nice mix of strings and all six members fully engaged. It didn’t chart, but Procol Harum was never much of a singles band beyond “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” The B side is a nonalbum track, Drunk Again, that includes some short solos from Gary Brooker, Chris Copping and Mick Grabham. The new band was settling in nicely, so much so that the absence of Robin Trower and Matthew Fisher no longer seemed the crushing blow it once did.

The Product

A1. Nothing But the Truth (Keith Reid/Gary Brooker) (3:08)
B1. Drunk Again (Keith Reid/Gary Brooker) (4:29)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single in April 1974 in the UK (Chrysalis, CHS.2032), France (Chrysalis, CHA 117), Germany (Chrysalis, 6155 025) and the Netherlands (Chrysalis, 5C 006-95 287) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1974 in the US (Chrysalis, CHS 2032) feat. A stereo and mono versions.