Gary Brooker at Haapsalu, Estonia

29 July 2017 • Markku Huttunen for BtP

Markku writes, Here’s some pictures and comments of Gary’s Haapsalu gig, 29 July 2017

We decided to purchase tickets to VIP area, because it was a long night and only in that area there were seats.
Unfortunately this stand was located kind of on a wrong side, behind Gary’s back, so the view was not best possible.

The Haapsalu Symphonic Orchestra and Haapsalu Chamber Choir conducted by David Firman
already started to play Homburg, while Gary is 'checking his e-mails'

Conquistador was rocking extremely well with a big orchestra.

While listening the rehearsals earlier in the afternoon, just outside these castle walls ...

... we heard several variations how to finish Conquistador. They ended up to choose the version with a loud 'Olé!'

'I’m Gary Brooker and I come from England. It’s a little country near France and Belgium. We cannot play soccer, but in England we always dream.'
Harps were nice and well heard specially in Sunday Morning and A Salty Dog.

'In the afternoon today on the top of that chateau there was a bird, a seagull. I would really want it back to start this next song'

In A Salty Dog after 'We fired the gun' the drum was exceptionally heavy and really sounded like a cannon. Also the choir was superb in this song.
 

Before the final song 'Garry' (yes, see one version of the festival poster)
gave a lesson of descending chords and used Bach/Senza Una Donna
(sung by Paul Young and Ivo Linna earlier in the evening)/Sledge/Marley as examples

until the orchestra started a nice intro for AWSoP.

The choir ended the lengthened AWSoP so beautifully, that also David Firman was amazed

Gary left the stage seemingly happy – this time watching the steps extra carefully :-)

and the great show ended with massive fireworks

Thanks, Markku!

Procol dates in 2017 | Setlist