A Salty Dog

Chris Welch, Melody Maker, 7 June 1969

PROCOL HARUM: one of the greatest pop singles to emerge in recent years:
A Salty Dog (Regal Zonophone).

Their finest hour. Procol have given us more than a successor to A Whiter Shade Of Pale, they have given us one of the greatest pop singles to emerge in recent years.

The tune is beautiful, the arrangement brilliant, the performance perfect. Written by Keith Reid and Gary Brooker and sung by Gary with every ounce of feeling he can summon, it is the kind of contribution to music pop can be justly proud of. As the strings move from climax to climax, so every listener with the slightest sensitivity will be moved.

Doubtless a precedent for their song will be found in classical music. The important point is Procol are doing it now and for large numbers of people.

John Peel rationalises mystifying chart disappointment of 'A Salty Dog' single

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