RIP Gary Brooker. Although Whiter Shade of Pale may have been his and Procol Harem’s best known song, Conquistador - this live version from 1972 - is their undisputed masterpiece.

@jackwhealen8138

2 жыл бұрын

Wish I'd read you sooner capt I think we agree

@Mynamesalexa

2 жыл бұрын

So is A Salty Dog

@peterwoodward2788

2 жыл бұрын

I was talking to a good friend passed back when this was released and charting and his response to my comment about Procol Harum and Conquistador was gold...................... his response was now your talking music. I find it hard to define which is the better as they are both great to listen too.

@margaretdelourme5389

Жыл бұрын

You are so right!

@pheresy1367

Жыл бұрын

Yeah! ABSOLUTELY IMHO! I just finished listening to 5 Procol Harum performed versions. The 1967 version, this one, a live version from 1992, and one from German TV. and a live version from 2006 in Denmark... This version is the MOST POWERFUL, although they all are great, and that 2006 version is also exceptional (the orchestra NAILS it). I'm such a nerd... I love this song.

50 years later,this song is still outstanding!

@gmar7836

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

Still listening in 2024

I was 10 in '72 but I've always loved this song so cool brings back memories of the good ole days👌

One of those songs that for no particular reason just works it's way into a corner of your mind one day and infects you; it takes you back to your childhood memories of some truly memorable times. Oh for a Time Machine to take me back there, if for nothing else but to make me cherish living in those halcyon days even more.

Hi I'm Laura and I really think that this is the best rock song there ever was and always will be!!

@edwardcowley42

5 ай бұрын

Hi Laura 😊

I was 15 yrs.old in 1972 and thought ,”This is a cool song”.....Tell me,what 15 yr.old here in 2021 is hearing anything remotely as musically talented as this song emerging now ?

@suechildress1802

3 жыл бұрын

I'm with you, I was 16. We grew up with the best music!! I really love "Whiter Shade of Pale". 😍🎶

@colleenritchea5912

3 жыл бұрын

I actually quite enjoys listening to music like this. It’s a lot better than some of the stuff they’re putting out now. I guess I was just raised with the good music😂

@Weeping_Somnambulist

3 жыл бұрын

Actually, there are lots of super talented bands around these days, although they aren't playing this particular style of music. Underground bands in multiple sub-genres of metal are really pushing the envelope musically. Progressive music itself still exists in both prog rock, prog metal, and experimental and avant-garde stuff. It may not be your cup of tea, but there is a lot of great music out there being played by extremely talented musicians and consumed by kids, especially those that play instruments themselves. Easier to find now too with so many platforms for musicians to get their stuff out there. Great song though, my dad got me into Procol Harum when I was a teenager in the mid-late 90s.

@stephanosc6603

3 жыл бұрын

Amen! I'm a bit older (I turned 19 in 1972), but you are spot on!!!

@frankincorvaia2169

3 жыл бұрын

I was 16 and I know exactly what you mean.

I was 16 in 1972,leaving school for the big wide world. Scared stiff and this song for some strange reason buoyed me up for the "fray"!

@hjsmtl9772

Ай бұрын

I was 18 in 72.. heard first on a jukebox on the Riviera.. Monte Carlo casino??

@jeph33

Ай бұрын

Armoured ya up, eh? 😉

IMO this was their most exciting, most important song. Very innovative in the use of horns and style of music. I like this even more than Whiter Shade of Pale

Who out there is still grooving to this gem in 2022

@josemoreno3334

Ай бұрын

Me, Way out in Arizona.🌵

@Tenashus.88

6 күн бұрын

@@josemoreno3334 Me now in 2024

R.I.P. Gary Brooker! Your music will live on forever! 😢💔👼🏼

My high school marching band played this in the late 70's!! Loved it then and now.

@pianocat7340

Жыл бұрын

That's Awesome!

@saffronskies333

Жыл бұрын

I bet it was badass!!!!!

@patrickkaye9734

7 ай бұрын

I saw a high school marching band perform this in 1978, based on Don Ellis' jazz version. It rocked the crowd!

RIP Gary Brooker, your great voice and masterpiece songs will forever resonate

Awesome song I love orchestral Rock!!!!!!

@gmar7836

2 жыл бұрын

You might like the Rasberries, the Baby’s and ELO. Oh yeah Emerson lake and Palmer are in that cool category too 😎

@susieq8924

4 ай бұрын

Yes! ELO,ELP🎶🎶

This song was meant to be in a time machine and played to Spanish Conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century before they went into battle.

@Zapple7

11 ай бұрын

Great atmospheric comment 👍👍👍

One of the alltime greats. A mixture of early progressive rock and orchestral rock. Incredible. Thinking of Gary Brooker.

@gmar7836

2 жыл бұрын

Yesss. Well put

@johnpelletier7641

2 жыл бұрын

@@gmar7836 Thanks for your comment. This song holds up as one of the alltime great epic suites of early prog rock. It is as stunning tonight as it was in 1972. You can say that there has never been anything like it. Since then or now. Incredibly atmospheric. When a song still holds up 50 years on, you've done a good job.

Masterpiece.

one of my all-time favorites, brings back amazing memories.What a joyous time to be living.

This was my first 45 when I was 15 years old in 1972. Wish I still had it.

I was just a pre teen when this amazing song aired on the radio.

@juliestrom412

2 жыл бұрын

Same here

@donaldwrightson

2 жыл бұрын

Same here! lol

Classic song.❤🎶

the early 70s memories ! overnite turning to morning ! stoned out having a snack in a 24 hour small independent restaurant putting 25 cents for 3 songs ! that song soud from the juke-box ! my god ! eternal memory ! nostalgic feeling mixed emotions ! letting the song take me there at the end ! so good !

I was 23 years old when this song was playing. I was in Vietnam that year. I came back in Jan 1973 and moved to Miami. It was a great year

This a great song. It has such good orchestral to it, awesome!!👍

@victorgerman7575

3 жыл бұрын

I love pre Robin Trower work,,, Love Brige of Sign album,, after

Great song with superb lyrics..reminds me of the Traffic album John Barleycorn...I was 14 in 1972...just so much incredible music to feast on !!!

Une bien belle chanson, nous avions eu la joie de voir ce groupe au vieux Forum de Montréal...début des années 70 !! ❤❤

To me, this was Procul Harum's finest work. And in my top 20 of the best songs I've ever heard.

What synchronicity of symphony and rock band, and a great band at that; never thought Edmonton would provide the orchestra when there were several others around the world I could think of then that would beg to do this gig: It was the thing in the 70's orchestra + rock band. A formula that created many long playing hits over 5 minutes and great bands: ELO, Yes, Who (Opera per se), Beatles started it all with Sgt Pepper and many more implemented it.

@guitbanger1

3 жыл бұрын

Moody Blues Days of Future Past was a lot more the concept of rock band/orchestra vs Sgt. Pepper. Both came out the same year, both bands had been managed by Brian Epstein. The Mellotron connection? Lol

Love this song!!!!

Original and best. Love the scratches and hiss. Magnificent.

@bricefleckenstein9666

Жыл бұрын

This is NOT the original 1967 version. This is the later "live" version recorded with the Edmonton Orchestra, that is by far the best "record" version.

Not very often a live version is so much better than a studio but adding the orchestral magic to it makes a great difference.

For some unknown reason this popped into my head today !! Haven't heard it since I was little kid . So dramatic!! 😄

I am an Australian and have both the 1967 song on Festival and this A&M release from late 1971 with orchestral backing. This is one song where I prefer the live recording on A&M

First heard this as a teenager back in the late ‘80’s and was struck at how beautiful and lush sounding this was! 2022 and even more impressed!

Omg this song makes my day everyday what it does to me just cant tell❤❤❤❤❤

I have always loved, this song,the first-time was. 1971 in high school, it slapped me around and hasn't let go since, it's just a great tune,yep the yep shows off just highly smart

What a classic song procol harum one of the best bands ever r. I. P gary brooker

@ianwood-zi7fh

5 ай бұрын

Oh this brings back so many wonderful memories 1972 i just left school to start my first job i fell in love with prog rock and procal harem was one of the best and this masterpiece still sounds as good today as it did back in the wonderful magical 1970s gary brooker so sadly missed this is genius

What memories this song brings back!!!!!

R I P Gary a class act fantastic singer songwriter fantastic band

Killer epic song. It gives me chills! My band plays it. Gary Brooker was a true talent

Hard hitting, unforgiving ... and totally BRILLIANT

Music Stops At The End. Hands Clapping. *PURE GOLD!*

I loved this song as a kid. It was so dramatic

My high school was the El Camino Real Conquistadors….always loved this song.

Was 10 when this came out love it still

Great song! So kick ass!

Great arrangements of the Band with orchestra, great blend of musical skills and such, saw them in Late 1972, @ Santa Monica Civic Aud, I was 19, don't remember too much of the show except, Gary Booker's voice definitely stood out, "Conquistador" was just released, I think a few months earlier

Hearing this on radio as kids, we wondered why they were singing “Come Kiss the Door” - WTF?

woke up with this song on my mind yes I am old. but what a song?

@dianewilliams1125

12 күн бұрын

I'm 66 and this pops into my head often!❤❤❤

Rest in peace..an amazing voice

Incredible!

Loved this song & band- great musicians

Masterpiece! 🎶

@billgonzales8978

4 күн бұрын

Amen

Superb drumming

i was a wee lad when this came out i was born in 69 i was three and now 50 some odd years later it still sounds as good as it did then

Great, unique song that is propelled along by BJ Wilson’s incredible drumming.

Rest in peace Gary Brooker

Great song brings back memories of 1972

It's a great song and always will be yep prefect

Just discovered this band! 🖤🖤🖤

@suechildress1802

3 жыл бұрын

Me too about 6 months ago!! Gary Brooker's voice 😍❤

@d.a.elliottjr.367

3 жыл бұрын

Me too about 40 years ago.

@gregboardman915

2 жыл бұрын

not much about them they ok Doors moody blues

@keithmills778

2 жыл бұрын

And I just found out today that Gary Brooker, lead singer and keyboards, died on the weekend--February 19, 2022.

CONQUISTADOR Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company And like some angel's haloed brow You reek of purity I see your armor plated breast Has long since lost its sheen And in your death masked face There are no signs which can be seen And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind Conquistador a vulture sits, upon your silver sheath And in your rusty scabbard now, the sand has taken seed And though your jewel-encrusted blade Has not been plundered still The sea has washed across your face And taken of its fill And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind Conquistador there is no time, I must pay my respect And though I came to jeer at you I leave now with regret And as the gloom begins to fall I see there is no, only all And though you came with sword held high You did not conquer, only die And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind And though I hoped for something to find I could see no maze to unwind Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Gary Brooker / Keith Reid

@rafaelramirez1507

Жыл бұрын

Joe Wright ... thank you so much for the words of this masterful piece of music

Wow great classic love it awesome

Classic!!!!!

I was 18 in 72.. heard this first time on a bistro pub jukebox, a seaside café, in Cannes or Nice.. or in between somewhere.. Ach, the Riviera.. the scent of beautiful women, everywhere 😊

Great, great song

RIP Alan George Cartwright ;-(

loved this group & this song! my sons former gf was in the army, we called her "La Conquistadora", from her time in Iraq!

@MrAdriancooke

Жыл бұрын

Do you know the Paul Rodgers song "Conquistadora"? I love that song!

Awesome song!.RIP Gary Brooker

Fantastic song as all of procal harems are Gary Brooker fantastic

Great music!

One band that was a wish list for me. Gary was brilliant! Sleep well... 🎶😎

RIPGary Brooker. Capolavoro❤

the brilliance of Gary Brooker showcased in this classic

Never knew this had orchestral backing til now. Assumed low these many decades it was just the band. ❤️

I had a history teacher who said there was probably hundreds of these men who failed and were forgotten by history. I always pictured an indigenous person coming across the remains of one of these failures when I hear this song. I also picture this person spitting on his corpse and taking his horse…

@lisao1965

Жыл бұрын

I feel a lot of people don't really listen to the lyrics to this song and because of that, don't really get it. ... "And like some angel's haloed brow... you reek of purity"! ... Interesting how "the conquerors" throughout history were elevated to a level of reverence that I would guess few deserved. (Labeled as heroes). They were essentially sanctioned pirates, plundering, looting and killing their way across the New World!

Sleep well, my hero. Meeting you was the highlight of my life.

Robin Trower!! Still an international master of guitar.

@captainzavala4540

2 жыл бұрын

This isnt robin trower on this version ...sorry boss..this is the 1972 version ...trower played on the 1967 version

@keithmills778

2 жыл бұрын

Album jacket lists the band as: Gary Brooker - voice and piano B.J. Wilson - drums Alan Cartwright - bass Chris Copping - organ and harpsichord Dave Ball - guitar Keith Reid - words

magnificent…. simple as that

Best drummer in 72 version I think.

Excellent with headphones. Thanks Toni.

Rest In Peace, dear Gary.

Procol Harum Conquistador just fab ❤❤ 🎉

Bon voyage vers les étoiles Keith

The only quarrel I have with the line "You did not conquer, only die," is that in a way the conquistadors literally conquered the lands in which they ventured: Latin America is now part of the Hispanic (and in Brazil, Portuguese) social sphere. The same did not happen in the other places ruled by Spain, such as the Philippines. So fortunately or unfortunately, at least in the Western Hemisphere the conquistadors had the last laugh.

Thank you!

originally recorded in 1967 ... but this is the 1971 live version which i like better

R.I.P Gary Brooker

Their best album, "Salty Dog" is a great home sick sailor song and the vocals over the top, love the horns on this...

This great song sorta got overshadowed by a Whiter shade of pale. My favorite is this one. Rest musical peace Gary Booker.🎉

So Good!

RIP, Gary Brooker

LOVE IT

Epic song

Long before the Oilers this put Edmonton on the map!

I know you came with sword held high You did not conquer, only die

excellent

Great Album

My fave of their songs. The band was named after my friends, girlfriends cat!

screw the haters

My boyfriend in 1972...what this song means to me...❣️