Exotic Birds and Fruit [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Nothing but the Truth

2. Beyond the Pale

3. As Strong as Samson

4. Idol

5. Thin End of the Wedge

6. Monsieur R. Monde

7. Fresh Fruit

8. Butterfly Boys

9. New Lamps for Old

10. Drunk Again [*]

11. As Strong as Samson [Single Version][*]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Digipak reissue of the British rock group's 1974 album with two bonus tracks, 'Drunk Again' and 'As Strong As Sampson' (Single Version). 2000 release.

Tracks:

Nothing but the Truth
Beyond the Pale
As Strong as Samson
Idol
Thin End of the Wedge
Monsieur R. Monde
Fresh Fruit
Butterfly Boys
New Lamps for Old
Drunk Again [*]
As Strong as Samson [Single Version][*]

Album Description

Digipak reissue of the British rock group's 1974 album with two bonus tracks, 'Drunk Again' and 'As Strong As Sampson' (Single Version). 2000 release.

Album Details

Digitally remastered reissue from Gary Brooker & co. with bonus tracks 'Drunk Again' and 'As Strong As Samson' (single version).

Customer Reviews:

31 Years Later...and STILL WRONG!.......2005-08-14

Whoever this Alan Niester is, his tarring and feathering of this Procol Harum album (CD) did not hold up then and does not hold up now. The man is quite frankly full of Shiite. I do not know what version of Exotic Bird and Fruit he was listening to but given what things were back then, I am sure something clouded his tastes at that particular moment in his own psychedelic time warp...

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Exotic Birds and Fruit: Procol Harum (Chrysalis CHT 1058): Alan Niester in Rolling Stone, 20 June 1974

Exotic Birds and Fruit is another slab of false majesty for which this band has become noted: elephantine, grandiose production, pretentious, empty lyrics and the sort of artistic posturing that would embarrass Ted Baxter.

Except for the bouncy Nothing but the Truth, every cut on the album has been heard at least twice already - and wasn't that interesting the first time around. The last sign of any vitality or originality in the band was heard on Broken Barricades; even the syphilitic attempts at humor attempted in Grand Hotel are now missing. Procol Harum is a perfect example of a band that has outlived its usefulness, and even staunch fans will undoubtedly be disappointed by this latest effort.

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This is a classic example of why it is so important to read a host of reviews and not any one from some supposed credible source in a rock magazine. Held true then, holds true now.

A Great Last Hurrah, Elegant and Haunting.......2003-08-01

Procol Harum carved a unique niche in the Rock Pantheon, and with "Exotic Birds & Fruit" sealed-up their place and walked away,...mid-album. My vinyl side A hisses and pops from decades of passionate attention, side B is almost a stranger.
"Nothing but the Truth" is self-assured and powerful, the music driving the words back to the Procol Harum of the Whiter Shade, the white in the black, light in the darkness, truth in the (then, not today, of course) non-truths, the sloppy pervasive irresponsibilty of trendy lyrics.
"Strong as Samson" majestic, soaring, seering and haunting,like Whiter Shade,Homburg and Wee Small Hours, at the very heart and soul of why Brooker and Reid et al sat down to write a song.
As the side finishes, and Just Another Idol fades away, musical bliss has set in, and who needs to turn over the record?...of course, if it's a CD, well, enjoy it all, the world of Exotic Birds and Fruits, incredible keyboards, slick guitar, tight rhythm work, and lyrics to long linger over.

There Is Music after Robin Trower!.......2003-02-21

While Procol Harum's first four albums featuring Robin Trower get all the acclaim, I don't feel they really peaked until their 1973 album 'The Grand Hotel'. Their 1974 album, 'Exotic Birds & Fruit', vividly displays this maturity. Gary Brooker's vocals and the organ really soar in "As Strong as Sampson". This is not a one hit record though. It's full of a variety of great 'Procol' style music: "Nothing but the Truth" and "Beyond the Pale" are particularly good. Even though "The Idol" is repetitive I've grown to really like it. The remastering job is outstanding. The organ and vocals sound gorgeous. This is a fantastic album.

A Great Unknown Album.......2002-07-25

Procol Harum dropped off the musical radar screen after 1970, but "Exotic Birds & Fruit" is actually one of their strongest recordings. "As Strong As Samson," in particular, is one of the most beautiful rock songs I have ever heard, with a haunting organ riff that easily rivals "Whiter Shade of Pale." It is, in short, Procol's last masterpiece.

Procol Harem rules.......2002-03-27

Exotic Bords & Fruit has to be one of the most intoxitcating, addictive recordings I have ever had the pleasure of listening. Although I have not heard this recording in about twenty years it has lost none of what I enjoyed most about Procol Harem, the hearfelt vocals and some damn good musicians playing for all their worth.

Average customer rating:

RevCracker
The Exotic Harum
An Overlooked Classic
Overlooked but a very good album

Exotic Birds and Fruit
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Friday Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Grand Hotel
Broken Barricades
Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Home

ASIN: B0002VEW1K
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Tracks:

Nothing but the Truth
Beyond the Pale
As Strong as Samson
Idol
Thin End of the Wedge
Monsieur R. Monde
Fresh Fruit
Butterfly Boys
New Lamps for Old
Drunk Again [B-Side][*]
Blue Danube [Extended Studio Version][#][*]

Album Description

Another successful follow up was in order for Procol Harum as their classic Exotic Birds and Fruit climbed the album charts and received significant airplay in 1974.

"Nothing But The Truth" kicks off this album, and from the driving piano provided by Brooker and the orchestral arrangements throughout the album, the listener is treated to a great rock recording which stands up nicely to their other classics like Home and Broken Barricades. Mick Grabham's guitar work is stunning and B.J. Wilson's drum style really add to the delivery of the songs as one can hear plainly on "The Idol" and the hit single "As Strong As Samson."

One particular favorite, "Beyond The Pale," truly shows the classical orientation of this popular band. Cleverly mixing and weaving melodies and meters unlike other rock acts of the time, Procol Harum truly helped develop the first echoes of the progressive Rock movement, dating all the way back to 1967's Whiter Shade Of Pale. "Beyond The Pale" and the other tracks on Exotic Birds and Fruit continue this tradition.

The Procol Harum Remaster series and Friday Music are proud to present Exotic Birds and Fruit for the first time on CD in North America. It hasn't seen the light of day here in over three decades, the treasured masterpiece is now open for all to hear. As another disc in the extensive reissue program authorized by Procol Harum, Gary Brooker has given us two very rare bonus tracks to round out the collection, the rare B side "Drunk Again" and the unreleased extended studio version of "The Blue Danube" by Johnann Strauss II.

Customer Reviews:

RevCracker.......2007-05-05

I am an old Procol fan. They are still my favorite band after all these years, so I might be a tad biased. But, to me, this album is just good solid Procol from their halcyon days. Whether you are a fan of the band, or you are into the kind of progressive rock they performed, no collection is complete without this one. If you are new to them, then this is Procol Harum at their best.

The Exotic Harum.......2004-12-07

Procol Harum's 1974 release, "Exotic Birds And Fruit," is one of the group's finest albums. It may not boast any "hits," but diehard Harum fans know classic Harum songs when they hear them, and "Exotic Birds" contains many of them, such as the thumping "Nothing But The Truth," the drinking-song pastiche "Beyond The Pale," the fine melodies of "As Strong As Samson" (with one of Keith Reid's very best lyrics: "Ain't no use in preacher's preaching/When they don't know what they're teaching"), the spooky "The Thin Edge Of The Wedge," the playful "Fresh Fruit," and the rockin' "Butterfly Boys." The band, led by singer/pianist extraordinaire Gary Brooker, sound superb on this one. Thumbs up all the way on Procol Harum's "Exotic Birds And Fruit."

An Overlooked Classic.......2004-10-28

Exotic Birds and Fruit was originally issued at a time when disco fever was beginning to sweep the AM radio charts and at a time when imaginative music got increasingly less airplay on FM as radio business consolidations standardized playlists across the country.
I remember buying it the day it arrived in the record store and rushing home to put it on. Immediately, I recognized the songs on side 1 of the album as being as good as anything the boys had issued to this point. Side 2 of the album was played less as I felt at the time the songs were somewhat weaker.
With CDs, listening to a recording is a whole new experience. Sure, you can skip songs you don't like and easily replay those you do without the hassle of getting up to move the needle. But I tend to listen to the recording in its entirety which often gets me to hear a song I once did not care for with new ears. Such has been the case with the Friday Music reissue of Exotic Birds and Fruit.
First of all, the sound is of excellent quality. Secondly, Friday Music tempts the Procol Harum fan with a couple of bonus tracks. Nothing But The Truth, Beyond The Pale, and Strong as Sampson still rate among the band's best songs but after hearing this well-made remaster, I have a new appreciation for The Idol, Fresh Fruit, Monsieur R Monde, and Butterfly Boys. I still don't much care for The Thin End of The Wedge but that is no demerit for this. Of the two bonus cuts, the band's magnificent rendition of Strauss' Blue Danube waltz stands tall, particularly during keyboard solos.
Whether you are an old-time Procol Harum fan or a Procol-curious newcomer, you can't go wrong adding this overlooked classic to your CD collection.

Overlooked but a very good album.......2004-10-09

I remember this album on vinyl from my past and am glad it is now on CD. It didn't get much attention as there are no real AM hits on here, but very good, orignial songs. This is by far my favorite album by Procol Harum and I recommend you give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Average customer rating:

Exotic Birds & Fruit
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E1AQ
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Average customer rating:

Exotic Birds and Fruit
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Jvc Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Grand Hotel
Procol Harum
Procol's Ninth

ASIN: B00006HBQ9
Release Date: 2003-02-24

Tracks:

Nothing but the Truth
Beyond the Pale
As Strong as Samson
Idol
Thin End of the Wedge
Monsieur R. Monde
Fresh Fruit
Butterfly Boys
New Lamps for Old
Drunk Again [*]
As Strong as Samson [Single Version][*]

Album Description

Japanese 20-bit K2 digitally remastered reissue of 1974 album. Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Victor. 2003.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

Exotic Birds & Fruit
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Repertoire/Hepcat
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B77LM
Release Date: 2002-11-07

Average customer rating:

Exotic Birds and Fruit
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Musea Records France
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AKOHM
Release Date: 2006-05-31

Tracks:

Nothing but the Truth
Beyond the Pale
As Strong as Samson
Idol
Thin End of the Wedge
Monsieur R. Monde
Fresh Fruit
Butterfly Boys
New Lamps for Old
Drunk Again [*]
As Strong as Samson [Single Version][*]

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Nothing but the Truth
2. Beyond the Pale
3. As Strong as Samson
4. Idol
5. Thin End of the Wedge
6. Monsieur R. Monde
7. Fresh Fruit
8. Butterfly Boys
9. New Lamps for Old
10. Drunk Again [*]
11. As Strong as Samson [Single Version][*]