Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

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Procol Harum at Westbury

Setlist • 14 July 2012

Brooker, Dunn, Pegg, Phillips, Whitehorn

If you were able to get to this show, do send in photos and concert reviews

Wall Street Blues
As Strong as Samson
Pandora's Box
Homburg
An Old English Dream
A Salty Dog
Simple Sister
Cerdes (Outside the Gates of)
A Whiter Shade of Pale (with guitar solo)
Conquistador 

 

 10 songs altogether:  2 From Procol Harum 0 from Shine on Brightly
1 From A Salty Dog  0 From Home 1 from Broken Barricades
0 From Grand Hotel 1 From Exotic Birds and Fruit 1 from Procol's Ninth
0 From Something Magic 0 From The Prodigal Stranger 2 from The Well's on Fire
2 non-album tracks  0 Not yet recorded in studios  0

Originating on a Brooker solo album

Evan Wagshul adds: Several huge standing ovations for our heroes. Every last person on his/her feet cheering wildly. Remember, this is the venue were Procol played the legendary concert that included a spontaneous In Held two years ago.'

Amy Marchand Collins and Richard Tucker write to BtP: '... very appreciative Procol crowd in Westbury.  Tonight's set was identical to last night's set with the addition of Cerdes after Simple Sister. During Pandora's Box Geoff Dunn tossed a drumstick caught by an appreciative fan in front row. Before An Old English Dream, Gary said, "I had a bash on the head in South Africa and nothing's been the same since." After AWSoP Gary introduced the band again, saying of himself, "And I'm the guy still standing." We are glad you are, Gary!'

Marc Pomerantz comments:
This somewhat abbreviated hour-long set was due to the fact that Procol Harum was the opening act before Yes.  Complicating matters further, because of a somewhat small circular stage for this theater in the round that was filled up with Alan White's expansive drum kit and Geoff Downes' huge rack of about 9 different keyboards, there wasn't much room left for Procol Harum.  Gary Brooker even joked that there was a five foot square space left on the stage if a couple wanted to come up and dance.  However, the cramped quarters seemed to bring out the best in their performance.  Gary Brooker was in fine voice (despite a minor lyric flub in As Strong As Samson), Geoff Whitehorn was amazing as usual, and Josh Phillips' Hammond playing was awe- inspiring.  The band was extremely tight and the standing ovations started as soon as Geoff Whitehorn's guitar seagull sounds faded after A Salty Dog.  I wish I could say the same for Yes.  Their sound was less than stellar (to be kind), although their new lead singer has a great voice, but alas, he is not Jon Anderson. In my humble and yes somewhat biased opinion, this tour would be better served with Yes as the opening act for Procol Harum, as it might have been somewhere back in 1969.  Also as an aside, the new MMX Live album is tremendous-great sound and great performances.

 

Procol dates in 2012 | Booking information

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