A Whiter Shade of Pale

Recorded but not released by Fudge guitarist ... until 2015

Tony Allen wrote to BtP:

My favourite US LP of all time is Vanilla Fudge's Renaissance: I wonder if any other Procol fan has noted the similarities with this great US group.

The guitarist from Vanilla Fudge - Vince Martell - recently (2000) announced his first solo LP which consisted, amongst many original compositions, two of his favourite sixties songs, In the Court of the Crimson King and A Whiter Shade of Pale.

When he announced on the Fudge website that he had recorded it, I suggested (hopefully with tact) that a re-recording of AWSoP might not be a good idea since the original was so perfect.

I don't know whether he took any notice of my comment but when the CD came out two months ago Crimson King was on it (with author and original mellotron / woodwinder Ian McDonald playing), but AWSoP was missing (Vince is a great guitarist but I don't think he could have added anything to this song).

Fifteen years on, A Whiter Shade of Pale appears on2015's 'new' album from the Fudge.  Spirit of '67 features ten tracks originally recorded in 1967 by the likes of Procol Harum, The Monkees, Spencer Davis Group and Buffalo Springfield. Also on the album is a new number,Let’s Pray For Peace.