Between 1967 and 1970 British rock band Procol Harum released four studio albums and a number of memorable singles, debuting with the baroque influenced “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” which topped the charts in the UK as well as Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and Canada among other nations, peaking at #5 in the US, selling in excess of ten million copies along the way.

Solid Records, Japan, has compiled the band’s complete recordings during this period in an exhaustive eight disc, one hundred thirty nine track box set.

Discs one and two are dedicated to Procol Harum’s self-titled 1967 debut album, originally issued only in mono, along with extant non-LP single sides, alternate takes and versions, backing tracks, and stereo versions. The album opens with “Conquistador” which would go on to be one of the group’s biggest hits when issued in 1972 from a live performance with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and is present in three forms, the original album cut as well as a 1971 stereo version and an alternate stereo take. The set includes seven versions of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” which is presented in original mono and stereo, early, backing track and live BBC takes, as well as a 50th anniversary stereo version and another stereo mix from 2000. Ironically, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and its b-side “Lime Street Blues” are the only Procol Harum studio recordings to pre-date guitarist Robin Trower and drummer B.J. Wilson being part of the band, with Ray Royer appearing on guitar, and session drummer Bill Eyden appearing instead, along with vocalist/pianist Gary Brooker, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher and bassist David Knights, with Keith Reid supplying lyrics as he would throughout the band’s history and Brooker serving as the main songwriter Follow-up single “Homeburg” appears in six versions, including its original mono take, extended and live BBC performances, and stereo presentations from 1971 and the tune’s 50th anniversary. “Homburg” was Procol Harum’s second and final US hit, peaking at #34. The album itself did not chart in the UK, but peaked at a respectable #47 in the US.

Discs three and four focus on the band’s second LP, 1968’s ‘Shine On Brightly’ with the first disc presenting the album in its mono and stereo mixes. The long player was recorded by the same quintet as the band’s debut. Highlights of the album include “Quite Rightly So” which is also presented in its mono single version. Side two of the album comprises the 18 minute medley “In Held Twas In I.” Disc four includes a tasty 1967 recording of the long player’s title track. Another highlight is the commercially accessible “In The Wee Small Hour Of Sixpence” present in its original mono single version, the same take with alternate vocals, a stereo take, and its backing track. The album, like its predecessor, failed to chart in Procol Harum’s native country, but was their breakthrough in the US peaking at #24 on the Billboard album charts.

Disc five is titled ‘A Salty Dog plus’ in honor of the group’s third studio album, their first to be issued only in stereo. The title track appears in its album and mono single versions, and is a moody, atmospheric piece. Once again the LP was recorded by the quintet of Brooker, Fisher, Trower, Knights and Wilson. Highlights of the album include “Juicy John Pink” written by Trower and Reid and showcasing the heavier, guitar led side of the band that became increasingly present for the remainder of Trower’s tenure with the band. The long player’s single displayed a contrast in the group’s sound with the heavier “The Devil Came From Kansas” paired with the mellower “Boredom” with both tracks included in stereo album and mono single versions. Another outstanding tune is the red hot rocker “Long Gone Geek” with Trower’s guitar once more to the fore. The long player was Procol Harum’s first to chart in the UK, peaking at #27, slightly better than in the US where it reached #32.

Discs six and seven showcase the group’s fourth studio album, 1970’s ‘Home.’ The LP saw personnel changes as Hammond organist Matthew Fisher and bassist David Knights exited the band replaced by Chris Copping. The long player continued the group’s move toward a harder edged sound, with guitarist Trower’s role increasing, while he co-wrote two tunes, the powerhouse opener “Whiskey Train” and guitar driven “About To Die.” No singles were issued in the UK, while the two Trower penned tunes were paired in the US, although the 45 failed to chart. Disc seven opens with four tracks recorded live in the US in April, 1969, beginning with an extended take on St. Louis Jimmy Oden’s “Goin’ Down Slow” showcasing the guitar prowess of Trower. “Juicy John Pink” co-written by the guitarist is another uptempo driving guitar rocker, as Trower’s role in the band continued to grow. As for ‘Home’ the poignant “Still There’ll Be More” which would become the title track of Esoteric Recordings’ 5CD/3 DVD box set reminded listeners and record buyers that Gary Brooker’s piano work and gorgeous vocals were still present, making the versatility of Procol Harum’s sound increasingly evident. “Whaling Stories” another Brooker/Reid classic reinforced Brooker’s presence and the group’s ability to move effortlessly from moody/atmospheric tunes to heavy rockers like “Whiskey Train.” This may well have been a double edged sword however, isolating elements of the group’s fan base, and confusing radio programmers and record buyers. Sad, as the talent within Procol Harum, songwriting and instrumentally alike, was seemingly endless. ‘Home’ was a bit of a letdown commercially, peaking at #49 in the UK and #34 in the US.

The eighth and final disc of the set ‘BBC Sessions plus’ contains twenty four tracks, almost all live recordings done for the BBC. The opening track, a cover of the Bonnie Dobson/Tim Rose classic “Morning Dew” was recorded early 1967 by the original Procol Harum lineup, with guitarist Ray Royer’s performance top drawer, so much so that many to this day believe it is Trower playing on the recording. The band’s takes on staples such as “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” “Homburg,” “Quite Rightly So,” “Long Gone Geek”and “Shine On Brightly” as well as the magnum opus “In Held Twas In I” are evidence that the group was as capable of delivering the goods live as they were in the studio. The disc, and box set ends, coming full circle, with stereo mixes of studio performances of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and “Lime Street Blues” with which the group had begun their recordings in 1967.

The box set comes in a lift top box, with each of the eight discs in its own cardboard replica mini-LP sleeve, protected from damage by poly liners. The 68 page booklet is in Japanese, but with lyrics in English as a bonus. Procol Harum has never sounded better than on this incredible collection which will appeal to fans of baroque rock, psychedelic rock, 1960’s and 1970’s rock and classic rock in general and comes most highly recommended.

Kevin Rathert

Procol Harum – ‘Regal Zonophone Years plus: Procol Harum Complete Collection 1967-1970’ (Solid Records, 2021)