Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale 

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'Aberdeen pop feast line-up'

Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1970


May 2009: Jim Corbett sends this clipping to BtP: it relates to the Procol Harum concert at the Music Hall, Aberdeen, 30 September 1970
 

 It’s triple-time at the Music Hall again tonight with a first-class concert line-up featuring Jethro Tull, Procul [sic] Harum and Tir na Nog – a Chrysalis promotion.

A near capacity crowd of 1,600 is on the cards and the man who promises to be the centre of attention is Jethro Tull’s leader and flautist – the hirsute Ian Anderson who last week topped the international miscellaneous instrumentalist section in the Melody Maker’s 1970 Pop Poll.

Edinburgh-born Ian, extroverted and prone to clowning an dancing on stage, is the mainstay of a group comprising Martin Barre (guitar), Glenn Cornick (bass), Clive Bunker (drums) and John Evan (piano).

An inventive, maturing group, Jethro Tull leapt to fame from the ‘underground’ circle at the 1968 Jazz and blues Festival, and have had top selling albums.

Particularly popular in the US, the group have been over there all year, and this current tour is their first appearance on home ground this year, save for the Isle of Wight Festival.

Procul [sic]  Harum., if nothing else, have earned their niche in contemporary music history for the classic A Whiter Shade of Pale.

But since then they have produced four very original albums, and become a major attraction on US tours, including top billing at Fillmore East, New York.

Although the group tend to concentrate on these US tours their policy is to work really extensively throughout the UKJ when they are over here and this is why we are seeing them in Aberdeen.

the line-up is: Gary Brooker (vocals/piano), Robin Trower (lead/bass), BJ Wilson (drums) and Keith Reid (lyrics) [Wot no Copping?]

Keith Reid in is a unique position in that he is an essential part of the group but has only actually played with them on a few occasions. As lyricist, he is responsible for the lyrics of everything they have recorded, and travels with them constantly.

Completing the triple bill are the new Irish folk duo, Tir na Nog, individually Sonny Condell (guitar and bongos) and Leo O’Kelly (guitar) whom I featured last week.  

(The clipping, right, has been rearranged to make it fit on the page)

 


1970 tour-dates


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