Procol Harum in Berlin, Germany

17 November 2003 : Andreas Jahn

Andreas Jahn writes to BtP:

Berlin, Monday 17 November 2003, Procol Harum back in the city, this time live at Columbiahalle meeting 500 visitors in this former American Army cinema opposite to the Tempelhof Airport. It was the nice mixture between the old and the new songs from the latest CD.

A Salty Dog came without birds from the tape, thanks, Mark Brzezicki imitated the sound of the birds and the audience welcomed the well-known melody. On the far left white-haired Gary Brooker's voice was as superior as always, Matthew was sitting heavily bowed on the far right side treating his instrument. The other three supported the two keyboardists while playing the old songs. With the new songs from the latest CD the group was more equally involved. Shadow Boxed was in my opinion the best song of the evening allowing all members of the band to contribute jointly.

Homburg helped the band after a number of fast tracks to recover. Gary Brooker and Matthew Fisher were really working hard as vocalist and on the piano/organ, while Mark and Matt were a bit too relaxed and talking to each other continuously during the concert.

In my opinion the band is with its new album highly appreciated by the audience that these days there is no need to perform with A Whiter Shade of Pale always at the end of the concert. Gary, try to include this song in the middle of the performance, otherwise the entire audience waits for this song and concentrates less on the newly recorded album, that is a pity. To finish with Conquistador could be a compromise. This would allow more attention on the new songs like the fantastic performed Shadow Boxed.