The Prodigal Stranger

Contemporary album review

Steve Morse in The Boston Globe, August 29, 1991

Happy Reunion For Art Rockers The next rock reunion? Say hello to Procol Harum, the art-rocking Brits who fashioned the vintage A Whiter Shade of Pale and Conquistador, but have not been together for 15 years. They’ve put aside their differences – mainly regarding a lingering feud between guitarist Robin Trower and Matthew Fisher and produced this rather serious but highly intelligent comeback disk that should please old fans and hook a few new ones. Singer Gary Brooker, whose yearning tenor still makes him sound like Steve Winwood’s brother – leads the way with a keener political focus than before. He hypnotizes on several brooding, reflective tracks such as The Truth Won’t Fade Away, a glimpse of the Vietnam era when we had so much to say right or wrong and the equally anti-war Holding On. Some melodies are a bit too middle-of-the-road and turgid, but much of the album has that gauzy, celestial sound of prime Procol Harum. This reunion seems sincere.

Thanks to Diane Wells

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