Procol Harum, Edinburgh
Ian Cranna, 'New Musical
Express', 5 March 1977
You could never accuse Procol Harum of over-exposing
themselves to the British public. This long overdue tour marks a
welcome attempt on their part to re-establish themselves in the
nation's collective consciousness. There is also, surprise,
surprise, a new LP to be aired and and new member to be
introduced.
Let's take the new material first, which took up a good half
of the set. To be frank, I wasn't all that impressed with it
– but it was, after all, a first hearing, and new Procol
material always takes time to settle; witness the vastly
underrated Exotic Birds And Fruit. But they continue
to tread their own distinctive path with a bit more solidity than
the rather flimsy Procol's Ninth.
The rest of the set came from their treasure chest of oldies
– Conquistador, Beyond The Pale, Grand
Hotel (complete with Palm Court section), Pandora's
Box, Unquiet Zone (including Barrie Wilson's
multi-rhythmed drum solo) and Salty Dog. The encores
were firstly the new single Wizard Man, and a
hoedown, This Old Dog, and secondly a string of
rock'n'roll oldies as the audience refused to let them go: Roll
Over Beethoven, Long Tall Sally, Jailhouse
Rock and Oh Black Joe. And you thought Procol
Harum were pedestrian ...
The only possible way to stop was to dust off A Whiter
Shade Of Pale again. But here's one for the Believe It Or Not
Department: Gary Brooker actually got the words wrong after the
number of times he must have sung that song!
Now for the new member – on keyboards, Pete Solley, a
name that will bring a smile to those who remember that ace
original Terry Reid trio. This man is an astute acquisition. He
slotted right in, and his excellent synthesiser work is a fine
foil to Brooker and Mick Grabham. Talking of Grabham, he must be
the most underrated guitarist this side of the Zambesi – and
probably the other side as well.' Definitely one of the most
powerful but tasteful axemen on the boards.
I have certainly heard them play better, but at no stage could
they be said to be poor, and it was vastly enjoyable. The band
evidently enjoyed it too – they played for two and a quarter
hours.
It's unfortunate that Procol Harum's lack of appearances has
let them become saddled with a grandiose Grand Hotel
type image, but this tour should rectify all that. Their music
demands some effort and attention from the audience –
commodities in short supply it seems – and they are not the
easiest band to get into.
Mike Heron's new band Heron supported, and I've heard
far worse headlining bands. This is about as far removed as you
could imagine from the Incredible String Band – real
mainstream rock but imaginatively so, and heavily scored for the
electric guitar and synthesiser. The potential is tremendous.
Fans remember this gig ... or try to!