The Best of Procol Harum

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Reissued 1998 compilation. Selected highlights from an extraordinary range of albums and singles produced by the band that shot to fame in 1967. Their most famous hit 'A Whiter Shade Pale' is matched by such dramatic works as 'Conquistador' and the atmospheric 'A Salty Dog.' --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Whiter Shade of Pale
Homburg
Quite Rightly So
Salty Dog
Lime Street Blues
Good Captain Clack
In the Wee Small Hours of Sixpence
Rambling On
Long Gone Geek
Conquistador
She Wandered Through the Garden Fence
Salad Days (Are Here Again)
Shine on Brightly
Wish Me Well
Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)
Devil Came from Kansas
Boredom
Wreck of the Hesperus
Juicy John Pink
Whisky Train
About to Die
Your Own Choice

Album Description

Reissued 1998 compilation. Selected highlights from an extraordinary range of albums and singles produced by the band that shot to fame in 1967. Their most famous hit 'A Whiter Shade Pale' is matched by such dramatic works as 'Conquistador' and the atmospheric 'A Salty Dog.'

Album Details

22 Classic Hits plus Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

Whiter Shade of Pale.......2006-05-07

This song is by far one of the best songs I have ever heard. I have listen to it in French, Spanish, Italian and of course English. My family thinks am obsessed with it. I played it so often that my sister and nephew now like it

Procol Harum's Special Sound.......2004-06-18

I first bought this CD specifically for my favourite song Whiter Shade Of Pale.However,as I no sooner discovered,this band had much more to offer.This group is terrific!I just can't get over their sound.There's something uniquely special about their music.So original!Whiter Shade Of Pale has been redone by many other musicians over the years.Annie Lennox is probably the most recent artist to do a version of it.I've even heard it sung in Italian.However,none of the band's other material seems nearly as recognized.What a shame!The hammond organ is beautifully played in Shine On Brightly.The sound effects in A Salty Dog gives you the feeling of actually being out on the seashore.It seems to me that Procol Harum didn't get the recognition it deserved.

Haunted Whiter Shade of Pale !!!.......2003-02-20

I bought this cd in 1991. It bears A&M label with a picture of Andromeda galaxy (which is the nearest one adjacent to our Milky Way galaxy) on the front cover. There are several Procol Harum collections sold in the market. All of them have more tracks than those of the disc I review. But the Best of Procol Harum [A&M] is the earliest collection (original released as vinyl in 1973 and as CD in 1990).

I strongly believe that "A Whiter Shade of Pale" should be one of the songs that epitomizes the Sixties Era. That track is also the anthem of the band. Listen carefully to the dialogue track of the Jimi Hendrix Live at the Winterland (circa 1968) and you will hear that this song was played (via LP) before introduction of Jimi and other members of the Experience on the stage began. Another thing that distinguishes this CD from other collection issues is the track "Conquistador" which is a live version taken from Procol Harum Live at Edmonton, Canada in 1972. Even though this CD has less tracks, but it covers all highlight tracks including "Homburg" and "Salty Dog". If you prefer the original "best of" and the live version Conquistador, you should consider this CD.

The Best of Procol Harum
Average customer rating:

Whiter Shade of Pale

Procol Harum's Special Sound

Haunted Whiter Shade of Pale !!!

The Best of Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Broken Barricades

A Whiter Shade of Pale

Procol Harum - Greatest Hits [Metro]

Classic Tracks and Rarities: An Anthology

ASIN: B000002GCD
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Lime Street Blues
Homburg
(In The Wee Small Hours Of) Sixpence
Quite Rightly So
Shine On Brightly
A Salty Dog
Long Gone Geek
Whisky Train
Simple Sister
Conquistador

Album Description

Album Details

22 Classic Hits plus Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

Whiter Shade of Pale.......2006-05-07

Procol Harum's Special Sound.......2004-06-18

Haunted Whiter Shade of Pale !!!.......2003-02-20

I strongly believe that "A Whiter Shade of Pale" should be one of the songs that epitomizes the Sixties Era. That track is also the anthem of the band. Listen carefully to the dialogue track of the Jimi Hendrix Live at the Winterland (circa 1968) and you will hear that this song was played (via LP) before introduction of Jimi and other members of the Experience on the stage began. Another thing that distinguishes this CD from other collection issues is the track "Conquistador" which is a live version taken from Procol Harum Live at Edmonton, Canada in 1972. Even though this CD has less tracks, but it covers all highlight tracks including "Homburg" and "Salty Dog". If you prefer the original "best of" and the live version Conquistador, you should consider this CD.

Best of
Average customer rating:

Whiter Shade of Pale

Procol Harum's Special Sound

Haunted Whiter Shade of Pale !!!

Best of
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Br Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Broken Barricades

A Whiter Shade of Pale

Procol Harum - Greatest Hits [Metro]

Classic Tracks and Rarities: An Anthology

ASIN: B000024H0E
Release Date: 2002-08-26

Tracks:

Whiter Shade Of Pale
Quit Rightly So
Conquistador
All This And More
Wreck Of The Hesperus
Too Much Between Us
She Wandered Through The Garden Fence
Salad Days (Are Here Again)
Homburg
Salty Dog
Kaleidoscope
Milk Of Human Kindness
Good Captain Clack
Devil Came From Kansas
Boredom
Crucifiction Lane

Album Description

Album Details

22 Classic Hits plus Booklet.

Customer Reviews:

Whiter Shade of Pale.......2006-05-07

Procol Harum's Special Sound.......2004-06-18

Haunted Whiter Shade of Pale !!!.......2003-02-20

I strongly believe that "A Whiter Shade of Pale" should be one of the songs that epitomizes the Sixties Era. That track is also the anthem of the band. Listen carefully to the dialogue track of the Jimi Hendrix Live at the Winterland (circa 1968) and you will hear that this song was played (via LP) before introduction of Jimi and other members of the Experience on the stage began. Another thing that distinguishes this CD from other collection issues is the track "Conquistador" which is a live version taken from Procol Harum Live at Edmonton, Canada in 1972. Even though this CD has less tracks, but it covers all highlight tracks including "Homburg" and "Salty Dog". If you prefer the original "best of" and the live version Conquistador, you should consider this CD.

The Best
Average customer rating:

Boring

A Great Unknown Album

There should be a Procol Harum box set.

A strong effort by Procol Harum

One of Procol's finest.

The Best
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Castle Essential
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000592F
Release Date: 1996-03-10

Tracks:

Nothing But The Truth
Beyond The Pale
As Strong As Samson
The Idol
The Thin End of The Wedge
Monsieur R. Monde
Fresh Fruit
Butterfly Boys
New Lamps For Old
Drunk Again

Customer Reviews:

Boring.......2004-02-08

I'm not one of PH biggest fans, but I have few records of them, and I can tell you without hesitation: this is far from being in PH high standards. It's weaker than the marvellous live album with Edmonton symphony orchestra, it's weaker than the great "Grand hotel", and it's weaker than the collection albums. Only if you are a die hard fan, you should buy this one, because in general, it is a "tired" album done by a tired band, and only "Pandora's box", that became a hit, breaks the boredom. Unlike the other albums, that contain only original stuff, here we got 2 cover versions (Eight days a week and Keep forgetting), that are done the uninspired way. "Without a doubt" and "Typewriter torment" are also not bad, but the average of this album is far under the band's greatest.

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.

There should be a Procol Harum box set........2001-07-28

Especially since hardly any of the original US releases are still in print anymore. Except for the disastrous "Something Magic", their latter day albums might not have been much to write home about taken as a whole, but there was always something on each that made you stop what you were doing and pay attention. This album is no exception--the song "Beyond the Pale" has a Brecht-Weill feel that suggests to me that Brooker and Reid must have just come from watching "Threepenny Opera". The lyrics of "Strong As Samson" are as topical as anything from Stills, Young or Jim Morrison--except the last verse draws a steel guitar into the mix. Well, Buck Owens did sometimes write with attitude, after all. I go along with another reviewer's negative reaction to the Beatles cover "Eight Days a Week"--I've heard school prom bands that did it better. Have you ever noticed that the best Fab Four tributes from other artists are when they do something of their own that's influenced by the Beatles. It's always better than doing an actual cover--Electric Light Orchestra had a great career doing just that. At the moment, this album is out of stock--I hope it's not out of print as well.

A strong effort by Procol Harum.......1999-06-18

Where this disc is not of the same standard as that of Grand Hotel and Exotic Birds and Fruit, it is still a strong effort in it's own right. Lieber and Stoller assume the production responsibilities from Chris Thomas and do a fine job. In fact the production sounds not unlike the previous disc, Exotic Birds and Fruit. There are two covers, which is not typical of Procol. One, I Keep Forgetting, is written by the producers and comes off quite nicely. The other, a cover of the Beatles'Eight Days a Week, is dreadful and is in fact the only weak cut on the disc. Then again, how often do you hear a good cover of a Beatle song? Highly recommended...Simon.

One of Procol's finest........1999-06-18

Die hard Procol Harum fans never got over Robyn Trower's departure. They would bemoan his loss and turn a closed ear to subsequent recordings. The truth of the matter is, that Procol continued to make outstanding records well after Trower left the band. In fact, as a whole, the post-Trower albums were more consistent and stronger than those recordings made prior. This disc, Exotic Birds and Fruit, is one of the two best discs recorded by P.H. in this period(The other being Grand Hotel). There is not a weak song on the disc. The production and musicianship are outstanding and equally creative. This is a stellar band at it's peak as a collaborative ensemble. Highly Recommended.....Simon

Average customer rating:

Best of Prokol Harum
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Repertoire/Hepcat
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002B76DG
Release Date: 2002-11-07

Homburg & Other Hats: Procol Harum's Best

Average customer rating:

Some great songs but not all of Procol's best
Some great songs but not all of Procol's best

Homburg & Other Hats: Procol Harum's Best
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Castl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000732V
Release Date: 1995-09-29

Tracks:

Whiter Shade of Pale
Homburg
Repent Walpurgis
Shine on Brightly
Quite Rightly So
Salty Dog
Devil Came from Kansas
Barnyard Story
Whisky Train
Simple Sister
Conquistador [Live]
Rum Tale
Grand Hotel
Souvenir of London
Strong as Samson
Nothing But the Truth
Pandora's Box
Strangers in Space

Customer Reviews:

Some great songs but not all of Procol's best.......1999-06-02

I'm never completely satisfied with the choices in "best of" collections. I would have included the great Cerdes (Outside the Gates of) off the first album -- one of guitarist Robin Trower's finest hours, and more of Matthew Fisher's compositions, especially those he sang -- Pilgrim's Progress, Wreck of the Hesperus, (from A Salty Dog) and In the Autumn of My Madness (from Shine On Brightly)... and different songs from the HOME album - e.g Whaling Stories, Nothing I Didn't Know, the latter a tour de force for master drummer B.J. Wilson. Nevertheless, there are some great songs in this collection of course, and those buying it should enjoy it. I don't agree with your critic's assessments of the various songs' relative merits -- my favorite song of all time is A Whiter Shade of Pale, for example, not primarily for the words but rather for Fisher's glorious uncredited composition - the song's enchanting organ melody - and its brilliant interaction with Gary Brooker's R&B style vocal. But I respect others' differences of opinions as far as musical taste is concerned. I do feel compelled to correct factual errors in reviews, however: Mick Grabham -- a fantastic guitarist -- did NOT play on Whisky Train or The Devil Came From Kansas -- that was Robin Trower

Some great songs but not all of Procol's best.......1999-05-29

I'm never completely satisfied with the choices in "best of" collections. I would have included the great Cerdes (Outside the Gates of) off the first album -- one of guitarist Robin Trower's finest hours, and more of Matthew Fisher's compositions, especially those he sang -- Pilgrim's Progress, Wreck of the Hesperus, (from A Salty Dog) and In the Autumn of My Madness (from Shine On Brightly)... and different songs from the HOME album - e.g Whaling Stories, Nothing I Didn't Know, the latter a tour de force for master drummer B.J. Wilson. Nevertheless, there are some great songs in this collection of course, and those buying it should enjoy it. I don't agree with your critic's assessments of the various songs' relative merits -- my favorite song of all time is A Whiter Shade of Pale, for example, not primarily for the words but rather for Fisher's glorious uncredited composition - the song's enchanting organ melody. But I respect others' differences of opinions as far as musical taste is concerned. I do feel compelled to correct factual errors in reviews, however: Mick Grabham -- a fantastic guitarist -- did NOT play on Whisky Train or The Devil Came From Kansas -- that was Robin Trower.

Average customer rating:

The Best
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000DWPW
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Average customer rating:

Homburg & Other Hats/Best
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E18Q
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Average customer rating:

10 Flags
Pat Orchard
Manufacturer: Pat Orchard - Re-Release
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000CA6XJA
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Average customer rating:

What happened to "Broken Barricades"?
Compiled with ultimate sensibilities

Best of (Halcyon Daze)
Procol Harum
Manufacturer: Mci
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000G6TR
Release Date: 1998-09-09

Customer Reviews:

What happened to "Broken Barricades"?.......1999-10-30

Here we go again, another Procol Harum Greatest Hits package, and the album that really works is completely unrecognized. Much maligned in many rock books, "Broken Barricades" is always represented by one tune, "Simple Sister". Of course even a cursory listen proves it to be the best Procol Harum album after "A Salty Dog". Really. "Home" is short on melody, and although I love "Shine on Brightly", I have to admit it's got it's self-indulgent moments. For those who love "A Whiter Shade of Pale", there is no argument. But since that album is firmly in the public consciousness, why worry about it. "Broken Barricades", on the other hand, seems to have fallen off the map. No CD re-release, cursory mention in rock guides, and almost no representation on the greatest hits collections. It's a shame, because it's a great album. Not just "Simple Sister", but the whole first side builds up to amazing crescendos that benefit from Robin Trower's guitar. The second side starts with an admittedly conventional Procol Harum number, "Power Failure", but just when you thought you heard it before there's a great drum break that sounds like something from a kraut-rock album. Then the album enters Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" territory with a spacey guitar jam. The horn section on the penultimate track is as gripping as anything they've done. The Stones would be proud. Finally "Poor Muhammed" wraps things up with another good rock tune. This album spends more time on my turntable than it does in the sleeve. It should be re-released on CD.

Compiled with ultimate sensibilities.......1999-06-11

Henry Scott-Irvine is to be commended for his hand-picked selection of some of Procol Harum's greatest songs, including Cerdes (Outside the Gates of), Fantastic shots of the band from the early years with excellent liner notes. A great value at this price!

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