Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale 

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The long-awaited DVD of the concert arrived today – to be accurate a four-disc pack with Blu-Ray and audio CDs as well. I’ve watched it twice now, and just wish to give you a speedy appraisal of the show as presented on screen.  I reviewed the concert for BtP in a fair amount of detail back on the morning after, and it would seem superfluous just to repeat my original observations fresh from the event. This critique will chiefly observe how the long-awaited concert was filmed and audio recorded to be preserved for all time, though of course I can (and will) make some observations about the music, chiefly as I evidently missed quite a lot of detail first time round!

Let’s start with my impressions of the ‘DVD team’ at the sell-out event itself. I cannot remember seeing any video people either onstage or in the periphery of the theatre, but it’s apparent from the evidence here that they were indeed there filming chiefly from the back of the hall (or balcony perhaps) with very discreet incursions from the back or sides on to the stage to capture clos- ups of the performers. There were certainly no close-uppers lurking at the very front – we were sitting down there and not aware of seeing any.

Their video result is excellent right through, featuring everyone when appropriate and especially good at getting close to those two excellent drummers, Henry Spinetti and Graham Broad: but also zooming in from afar from the wings or far back to catch those stars upfront. The stage is well lit too, so nothing is ever missed. The sound is superb with every detail reproduced, particularly the dynamic from drummers which is perfect in the mix too. The brass players (‘the Procol Harum horns’ ) were terrific too, even when wandering across the stage. Dave Bronze is his usual stalwart presence and Josh Phillips has some rousing moments on his Hammond. Geoff Whitehorn was probably playing sometimes in ‘ensemble mode’, as he was surprisingly quiet in one or two numbers – but loud when he needed to be – and, as ever, a huge stage presence (the word ‘huge’ here refers not to girth but to his charismatic persona as a star in the Procol constellation!).

I shan’t go again through all the guests, but it was apparent that many were friends of Gary’s. and all respected his place in the musical world. They gave us ten Paramount/ Procol/Gary songs including Paul Carrack’s Homburg, Roger Taylor’s A Salty Dog and those Sung by Sam Tanner (whom we’ve seen doing excellent work in the Blue Water Giants).

The end of the show – Gary apparently singing A Whiter Shade of Pale along with the onstage musicians – was such an unforgettable surprise (I thought Elton was going to sing it!): hats off to whoever compiled this from so many ‘through-the-years segments’ and sync’d it all so perfectly.

It was also great to see and hear those various sincere filmed tributes (which we were shown on the night) here in greater clarity. Gary was so obviously highly liked and respected and, even at the last, his Royal Marsden fundraiser was just fantastic; and of course, his personal souvenirs and sale of these discs are now further adding to the charity.

So finally and briefly, one further reflection on the whole event we saw that night. It was great ensemble playing and clearly all were working hard to pay due respect to Gary and his musical heritage. And yes – they did put on a great musical show for us on the night. Granted some audience members said they would have liked more Procol songs, but we were all pretty happy with the variety and quality of the music we heard at this tribute event.

But also maybe we are now hoping that one day we might get a one-off all-Procol music reunion show – maybe Josh’s Blue Water Giants plus Geoffrey ... but I suppose we should be content that we’ve had sixty years with the band and can continue to play music from their archive all the time. Well I certainly do! And try to pass it on down the generations – though a bit early for my five-week old granddaughter, Poppy!

So until that day (which probably may never come), I take my leave from contributing to ‘Beyond the Pale’ and lastly pay a concluding tribute to the unparalleled efforts of Jens and Roland in documenting all this Procol Harum activity over the years. I even forgive them those bloody impossible Christmas puzzles! Gentlemen you are Procol Harum legends too, as indeed are those various book authors and Hermann B, our German concert bootleg king!

Best wishes to one and all in the Procol pack over many nations. You know, perhaps Procol Harum music should be piped in to major addresses in places like Washington, Moscow and Tel Aviv to distract those leaders from their current difficulties. Gary Brooker would have made a great world figure himself: he had real talent, character, humility, got on with people, was loved and respected. RIP. Gary – and you were indeed remembered that great night in Guildford!

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