Procol Harum – Spirit of Nøkken

Procol Harum live in 2009 – a fan's review

Nøkken on Heaven's Door
I have to say how much I enjoyed this CD. The quality on One Eye to the Future was crisp but in some cases lacked atmosphere, with the instrumentation too far down in the mix. This is much better. To hear one of my old faves, TV Ceasar, is great. I've always liked this song. It's one of those that must be quite difficult to sing (like Piper's Tune, Without a Doubt) as the verses are quite similar – Gary Brooker's vocal, slippery sliding ten feet tall Fred Astaire-like over the dazzling music.

My other faves are the blistering Taking the Time, Wall Street Blues and Cerdes: the interplay between guitar and organ on Taking the Time is truly awesome. This band strides like a giant in the world of pygmy music. Even the mashed up vocals in Taking the Time and Kaleidoscope don't jar on the ears. Some excellent piano solos too and all pinned together with a powerful rhythm section. Gentle yet strong with that subtle hint of danger.

Well worth downpiping (or whatever the expression is) this CD. Heartening to know in this sad world where X Factor dumbed-down throw-away entertainment is so prevalent that – hid away like orphans' gruel – is our little bit of heaven.

I'm so looking forward to seeing them live again. And dare we hope for a new studio album? Then it's Juke Box Jury, Ready Steady Go, Top of the Pops ... sorry he's really gone this time ...

Richard 'Wizard Man' Solly

The tracks were recorded during a week in October 2009 (except the closer, which dates from July): To download the whole show, or individual tracks, click this 'Buy Now' link

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