Procol Harum sound-checking

Cropredy, 8 August 2003

On a late-night tip-off from the Cropredy sound tower (pictured), a few die-hard fans turned up to see Procol Harum sound-check
at 9 in the morning; and indeed, by 10.30, there were signs of life on stage. In particular, the arrival
of the Procol van containing Matthew's Hammond signalled the start of play.

It didn't take long for the stage to become populated with the band's gear, and with the musicians themselves,
who were obviously in good spirits despite the heat.

Morning, Geoff! Maestro Whitehorn in his BB King tee-shirt, of course.

The sound check began at 11 am ... some eleven hours before the band actually came on to play, topping the bill

The played most of Beyond the Pale, and Matthew Fisher played some of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker on the Hammond ...
the bit used by B Bumble and the Stingers, but not in that rocked-up arrangement.

The rhythm section gave us a hearty blast of Wipeout until the Commander indicated that it should cease

Gary demonstrated a card-trick, to Mark's amusement. Later these playing-cards would be showered into the audience during AWSoP

Gary gave some very careful consideration to the position of his monitors

At some stage in the proceedings, this luckless mannequin was put into position

Chris Cooke examines the Faux Grand, and Gary assembles some small props on the lid. Some of these were not seen during the show

Part of A Salty Dog was played, so that Graham Ewins on sound could ensure that the seagull echoes would work OK

The band also practised vocal harmonies for The VIP Room and ran through a bit of Bringing Home the Bacon ...
but all in all, not much was played; perhaps because it was such a public occasion.