Procol Harum are icons. This song has stood the test of time. Gary Brooker's voice has not changed. You should check out their original 1967 version it will blow your mind. A few years ago, Gary Brooker passed away. RIP Gary. Love your reaction!

Amazing how is voice is almost 40 years after the song was released Truly, a great performance

@antonybrent6232

5 күн бұрын

Came out in 1967 😮😮

Btw-- The Danish Symphony Orchestra is worth looking into also, they cover a lot of famous movie music. Their rendition of, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is MINDBLOWING.

@rikkelise

5 күн бұрын

this!!

Legendary???? ABSOLUTELY LEGENDARY!!!!!

I've watched this performance a zillion times and cry every time. Miss you Gary Booker.

😢😢😢😢😢❤❤RIP Gary brooker u are missed

One of those songs you just never want to end.

Great reaction! I can watch that video of him singing that song over and over and never get tired of it. So beautiful with the orchestra, choir and the band with that amazing voice. RIP Gary.

I still get goosebumps listening to this masterpiece.

Pronunciations: -'Procol Harum': PRO-cul HAIR-umm; long O, short U, long A, short U, accent on both 1st syllables. -'Baroque': barr-ROKE; short A, long O, accent on the last syllable. It's a French word. -'Reprise': The record label's name is pronounced reh-PREEZE, short E, long E, accent on the last syllable. The verb 'reprise' is pronounced rep-PRIZE, short E, long I, accent on last syllable, just as you said it. -'Melancholic': mell-lin-CAH-lick, short E, short I, short A, short i, accent on the 3rd syllable; derived from the word 'melancholy' (sadness or depression). No shame in not being familiar with a new word, just respect for the courage in trying. Language is sometimes like tightrope walking. You're doing just fine.👍 Procol Harum was a British progressive rock band that developed in the mid-1960s. Progressive rock was an inclusive musical style that drew instrumentation and style from all cultures and time periods; they experimented in unusual time signatures, switch-ups in the middle of songs, dreamscape lyrics, and other ways to stretch or erase boundaries in musical expression. Orchestra back the usual guitar/base/keyboard/drums setup was standard for this genre, but could also include other unique instruments, including computer-generated instrumentation. Examples of progressive rock bands are Queen, the Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Mike Oldfield (a one-person 'band'), Yes, and Tangerine Dream. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was originally released in 1967, when Gary Brooker (seen singing and playing the piano in this video) was 22 years old. It's their most famous song, but they have other great works. I recommend reacting to the studio album version of "A Salty Dog". Don't get caught up in what the lyrics mean; they were intentionally written to evoke a mood, not describe a specific situation. Dreamscape. The meaning has been debated for decades, and the bandmembers have refused to clarify, simply saying that the meaning is unique to the interpretation of the listener. There are no wrong answers, other than there is no single 'correct' meaning. The truth is this song is 'a mood' in every respect, not descriptive. Gary Brooker was 61 at this performance; he passed away in 2022 just shy of 77. He was still writing and recording music until his final year of life. RIP Mr Brooker. Final Note: The name 'Procol Harum' is a misspelling of the Latin phrase Procul Harun, which roughly translates to "far beyond these things". The name was suggested by Guy Stevens, a nightclub disc jockey, after a friend's cat named Procul Harun. The cat's pedigree name was actually Procul Harun, with "Procul" being the breeder's prefix, but the name was misheard over the phone. The band immediately accepted the name. I remember first hearing this song in my mid-teens, when it was first released. It got a LOT of airplay. I don't know ANYONE who didn't like the song.

A Masterpiece of Music. Garys Soulful voice is perfect.

This British band released their outstanding 'Grand Hotel' album 6 years later back in 1973, after the huge success of the international smash hit single "Whiter Shade of Pale" from 1967. "Bringing Home the Bacon" a track from 'Grand Hotel' is smokin' hot and worth checking out. At any rate, the extraordinary guitarist Robin Trower was a member of 'Procol Harem' from '67 through '71. Shortly afterwards, Robin formed his own power-trio rock group the 'Robin Trower' band and became very popular worldwide. 🔍🔎🎤🎸🎹🥁🔊🔥☮🎧

Proof that presbyphonia can enhance the emotional impact of a song.

@craigbolton5093

5 күн бұрын

In my younger days, I could sing like Gary Booker. Now that I'm nearing 70 I can still sing like an off-key Tom Waits

TBH you should listen to the original version. Then you will appreciate fully the genius of this version

@subwaygoddess1

5 күн бұрын

I agree

@Peter-oh3hc

2 күн бұрын

Absolutely. I have always liked the original, but this is stunning

One of the great, underappreciated bands of the late '60s and '70s. They've got a lot of 5-star songs that most people today haven't heard, like Conquistador, Strong As Samson, and The Idol.

I was just a baby when this song came out but I have heard it many times over the years in the background as I grew older. For some reason, it always brings tears to my eyes. I don't really know why but this song does grab your heart strings. It's a beautiful song. Gary Brooker is the singer. He just recently passed away.

@allenwayne2033

5 күн бұрын

Yep, I react the same way as you. The song is just such a beautiful piece of art that I am moved to tears by it every time, especially this version with the orchestra. Absolutely breath-taking!

This song from the best decade of pop music backed by a full orchestra and choir is perfection. Can you imagine what it would be like to be in the audience listening to the entire concert, outside on a warm summer's day? This was pure class, unfortunately most pop music today is mundane and bland in comparison.

"Conquistador" from the same concert is pure fire

John Lennon called this his all time favourite song - high praise!

Sure blew you away like it does everyone 1st time hearing. Never gets old. 👍

You didn’t know what you were getting into, did ya? I’ve known and loved this song all my life and I was still blown away by this performance! Thank you for sharing this with us.

Great reaction - thank you! To me, this is absolutely one of the greatest LIVE musical performances ever. This is art!!! Just unbelievable. Nearly 40 years after they dropped the original as kids in 1967 - Gary pops in here in his early 60's and sounds better than ever. This is absolute musical magic. Lot of talent on that stage and to sound so good LIVE - Crazy!

we lost Gary Brooker (the singer) to cancer in 2022

@rwilson7197

4 күн бұрын

😢😢😢

Next Procol Harum song I'd recommend is, "Conquistador"...

@lisawall3386

5 күн бұрын

YES!!!!

@roseready5700

5 күн бұрын

Yes, this is my favorite song ever. The horns, wow

@trishgorman6456

4 күн бұрын

A Salty Dog is my favorite.

@roseready5700

4 күн бұрын

@@trishgorman6456 whoa, I had to refarmiliar myself with that one, I don’t think I’ve heard it since back in the days. It’s a good one too, not all the excitement as Conquistador

This is a masterpiece! Gary Booker's voice even better than it was back when this song was released. Thank you for reacting to this jewel 👍🔥🔥

Listen to the 1967 original release, and understand that such an iconic song was easy to adapt, and feature his piano playing and his vocals amongst all those wonderful instruments

Top 5 song of all time.

The lyrics reference a few things from medieval and world history. ".. as the miller told his tale" is from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (The Miller's Tale), and "vestal virgins" were Roman priestesses back in the day. The song isn't directly *about* those things, but whoever wrote it and included those was somewhat familiar with history and literature. Great song and reaction/review, as always, thx for this!

One of the all time great voices...Gary Brooker. 40 years! after it was a hit & he still sounded awesome. They "retired" in 2022 because he died.

PROcull HAIRumm BA-roke

@starman2337

5 күн бұрын

Ba-ROKE

@frankiebowie6174

Күн бұрын

Harem, like the harem of an Arabian sheikh.

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" also became Paul and Linda McCartney's "song" (songs that couple's often choose as "their song" as it has special meaning to them) They met each other when that song was being played at a club they were both at one night.

Pronounced Prokul Harrum Singer is Gary Brooker. Was 22 when this song came out, died a couple of years ago aged around 76

"As the the miller told his tale"...🎶

@Supernova752

5 күн бұрын

Such a great verse!

@stephenparratt774

5 күн бұрын

Chaucer!

You should check out a video of them performing it live in the 60's. Perfect then as it was in this video. Without the choir and orchestra. It gives me chills.

Kudos to Gary for writing the music, too. Later Mathew Fisher was added to the credits Song was released when Gary just turned 22 and Keith Reid was 20

Stunning performance Completely different from when they brought the original out in 1967 🔥🔥🔥

The song is full of metaphors . skip the lights Fandango means the were dancing . Turning cartwheels dancing their butts off. He didn't really have seasickness he just wasn't feeling like dancing anymore. The room was hotter and hotter, the crowd was loving it all. The ceiling flew away means the crowd was going wild sort of out saying of Raise the roof.

The song was SO ahead of its time, back when the original was released in the late '60s. And this performance is so very awesome. The melody is based on J.S. Bach's "Air in G" - its based on a classical composer's music.

Loved the reaction ❤ Hans Zimmerman wrote the Gladiator movie theme and I think you will love the recent cover of "Now we are Free" by Innocent Masuku on Britain's Got Talent 2024. It's extraordinary.

Look here's the scoop- 4 guys going through the crazy 60's

Jane H commenting ….. Gosh, this took me back several decades. I had a friend who walked down the aisle to this on her wedding day. Fantastic song. The orchestra sounds beautiful, but I think I prefer the original which came out in 1967. I absolutely loved it, & if I remember correctly, an organ was played in the original, which gave it a haunting sound. Could you please do a Reaction to English internationally-acclaimed singer …. Robbie Williams - Angels -Live at Knebworth 2003. Angels is such a beautiful song, which was a number one Hit for weeks for Robbie. His Knebworth Concert is Amazing & Robbie is Amazing. Thanks.

The lead singer is Gary Booker, he died a couple of years ago and I think this was a concert in Amsterdam

LEGENDARY? Yes, they are!!! At least this song is. I think Boomers (and I proudly claim status) consider this song right up there with A Stairway to Heaven, along with others. We had the BEST music at the end of the 60's! I'm so glad you loved it too! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😅😅😅😂😂😂

Don’t worry about the pronunciation lol. But, Southend is simply pronounced like the 2 words. South. End. I love this version, and the time you take to do the research even before you listen.

He sounds as good as he did in the 60’s!!!

Don't understand how anyone who enjoys music and understands music can't be aware of this massive and iconic song, or of Gary Brooker or of Procul Harum.

His name is Gary Brooker.

❤❤❤❤ beautiful

You need to do the 1967 version. Gary Brooker was 22 when he sang this in 1967 and he was 61 for this performance.

Pro-col ha-rum South-end Ba-rock

I consider the song to be a masterpiece of psychedelia even though they say it's not. The lyrics are supposed to evoke a feeling, they don't tell a coherent story for most of us. The Miller's Tale is famed from Geoffrey Chaucer of mideavil English literature...it was a bawdy tale.

Singer was late great Gary Brooker. Pronounced PRO-kul HAR-im, both words enphasis on first syllable

The group’s name is pronounced “PRO-cul HAIR-um”. Don’t worry, because it is an easy name to mispronounce.

@singluna888

6 сағат бұрын

I lol'd hard

That meloncholic sound reminds me of a requiem. I always thought of the lyrics as pointing to a woman having a fatal overdose. After reading all the lyrics, I just love the image he painted. The man was clueless how close to death she was. His "eyes were open, but they may as well been closed". Images of Death are evoked by "whiter shade of pale" and "hitting the ocean floor". Back in the late 60s and early 70s this song, for me, had the effect of romanticizing a bad acid trip. Anyone out there have the same experience back then? Such a different time. Hallucinogenic drugs were considered so cool back then, though they should not have been.

This is the difference between then and now band's were judged on their performance period nowadays everyone does a deep dive into who knows what just listen and decide

I never understood the song, I just like the music.

The melody is BACH Air On A G-String & Sleepers Wake

Ohhhhhhh… movie scores by Danny Elfman! So many movies - he does a lot of TimBurton movies, but used to be the lead vocalist and guitarist for Oingo Boingo :)

This is a great rendition but the original version is also worthy of a reaction.

Pronounced Pro-cole Hair-um. Per Wikipedia, the band took the name of a friend's cat as their own. 🙂

I believe the man is confronting the woman who has been unfaithful and she turns a whiter shade of pale. Much like 'The Millers Tale' by Chaucer. Song writer claims that's not so, but admitted to being influenced by books.

love it do much.

Gary Brooker on the vocal. Only original member I have no idea how many times I've listened to this version. Nowhere near enough yet. Masterpiece all the way around Your reaction, though, made it all the better

Conquistador & A Salty Dog same concert

Procol (Pro'-coal) Harem (HAIR-em) was better than a 1-hit wonder. Conquistador got a lot of radio play. But Whiter Shade is not only their best song, it's one of the best songs from the rock era. The original hit doesn't have the orchestra or the choir. The prominent elements in the original are Gary's voice and the organ. The music was influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer from the 1700s. As such, the score fits nicely to an orchestral arrangement. Procol Harem brought orchestral elements into rock music to create their sound. A more famous/successful group to introduce this fusion into rock is the Moody Blues.

Just some nice English gentlemen with some help from their lovely Danish friends.

You've probably also seen many, many movies scored by John Williams (Jaws, ET, Indiana Jones, etc.)

@patticrichton1135

2 күн бұрын

and the Star Wars movies

The original hit is from 1967, the summer of love.

People are picking this version because of this incredible Orchestra. I love the live version almost better than the studio.

@patticrichton1135

2 күн бұрын

I do TOO!!!

Notable covers by Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, HSAS, Emily Linge, Annie Leonix & Sarah Brightman

Love this song. I actually prefer the studio version from the 60's as it is the one I grew up on. This live version is very good though as it shows how powerful Gary Brooker's voice was even as he got older. "Conquistador" is another great song by Procol Harum. Sad to hear of Gary's passing away recently in 2022.

@user-nv6vm1gh4d

5 күн бұрын

I agree

Speechless are we? They made one of the most beautiful songs ever written even better with this live version ;)

From the same concert, Conquistador !

This is a good version, but I don't understand why everyone wants people to react to it. The original is so much better. This is a really nice treat if you already know the song, and not the way I would introduce someone to it.

Yes. Check out original version. 😂❤

Southend as in South end. Hans zimmer being german born and living in england before moving to the us means we do know who he is in the uk.

“procol” is propounced with the same intonation as “local” and “harem” is pronounced like “Harlem”, without the “L”. So say procol harem like you’d say local Harlem

Procol Harem’s second biggest hit, Conquistador, is a beautiful song. A lot of their music is very good but weren’t big hits. A very intellectual band.

I always thought he was singing about being on a cruise ship n it was about to sink....

I think it means. beyond these things.

Whoever told you to react to the 2006 Denmark performance was wrong. The original studio version is the way it was meant to be heard, and is far, far superior.

That got 10 spins

You should have listened to the original version to appreciate this version.

Poe-Co Hair-em

I'm sorry but I think that your subscribers have done you a disservice on this one. I wish you would have listened to the studio version first. I really love this version , but .... I can appreciate it mostly because I have loved this song since it was first released. For more Procol Harum (PRO-kull HAIR-um). I think "Conquistador" is a better story...

An INCREDIBLE piece of music. Another you nay enjoy is Conquistador (go for this version if I may be so bold: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mIOWm7CQeNKdepc.html&ab_channel=ProcolHarum-Topic). Enjoy

One of the saddest things about black people is their almost complete lack of knowledge of classical music. It's almost as if it doesn't exist. There is a reason that classical music has been around for HUNDREDS of years, it's incredible. And it is your peoples loss that hardly any black person can name any classical composer. You owe it to yourself & your people to find out about this incredible music. It can only increase your enjoyment of all other genres.

Lolololol what did you call them lolol

A song about getting wasted at a party/wedding. Nothing more.

Original 67 studio version the best, don't understand people requesting crappie live versions decades after the group's heyday

@nickjohnson1445

5 күн бұрын

102 million views can't be wrong

@mrsnookdeb

5 күн бұрын

​@@nickjohnson1445 doesn't mean the views were liked or watched all the way through

@750count

5 күн бұрын

It's unfathomable to call this a crappie version But.......carry on

@phyl1042

5 күн бұрын

​@mrsnookdeb it also doesn't mean that your opinion doesn't suck.

I had to take away my thumbs up only because I really am tired of people reacting to this version and not listening to the original studio version. This version's fine but I'm sorry they're decades older than when the original was produced and the original is what you hear on the radio. Not this one so I would think you might want to go back and check out the original on your own one day. Just my two cents worth. Keep up the great work. Sorry I couldn't give the thumbs up but I'm real tired of this version

WRONG! Listen to the original. Not this tarted up bullshit.