Procol Harum open with instrumentals

Herning, Denmark, 24 October 1974

Thanks to Claes Valentin Jensen and family for finding and translating this review

Procol Harum was successful in Herning: despite an unlucky start the group worked through an elegant concert. A Whiter Shade of Pale Procol Harum's beauftiul melody made an efficient ending to the year's big beat rock arrangement in Herning.

It was a bit of a weak start that was offered to one thousand two hundred spectators: the speakers had worked fine during the sound test but at a crucial moment failed. It took almost forty five minutes to correct the problem, but when Procol Harum came on stage the crowd was enthusiastic.

Sadly enough Gary Brooker's microphone did not work properly through two numbers so these were only instrumental, so when everything was all right they played too many unknown numbers which was too many before the break There was really no contact with the audience, but Procol Harum had to fight hard after the break: with numbers The Devil came from Kansas, Conquistador, A Salty Dog and Shine on Brightly, they finally got a grip on the audience.

The evening's climax came under the famous Grand Hotel that was played by outstanding Gary Brooker who stole the attention of the audience with his great improvising. The place was on fire, but with all the enthusiasm we must not forget the drummer BJ Wilson, who is still in the heart of the group since they started. The guitarist was Mick Grabham and the bass player Alan Cartwright; also we cannot forget organ-player Chris Copping's excellent playing with Gary Brooker's piano.

A thought had struck a lot during the first half of the concert: wouldn't it have been better to have saved three to five pounds instead, and invest them in the Procol Harum record? But this idea was completely remote when the end was near. The audience threw flowers up to the musicians: the mood was a worthy ending with one of the world's best beatgroups.