Shine on Brightly

Contemporary album reviews

Disc

'Life is just [sic] a beanstalk – isn't it?' says the Dalai Lama on Shine on Brightly, the second and good album by Procol Harum (Regal Zonophone). Procol have had a very difficult job in this country living down the enormous success of Whiter Shade of Pale. But they are, in truth, very much more than one of those famous 'one-hit' wonders, as is proved by this album, which is a huge improvement on their first. Organ and piano together achieve a full, rich sound which is always nice to listen to.

New Musical Express

A most enigmatic group are Procol Harum. They would seem, to have deserted the British shores for America where they are held in high esteem by more astute sections of the US pop scene. It is ironic though that the Procols should have exerted such an influence on the Band and their Big Pink album which in turn has been a major force in British pop thinking. The first Procol's album was illuminating and good. So is this. The old firm of Brooker-Reid combine to write most of the tracks with help from Matthew Fisher.

Record Songbook

Shine on Brightly is Procol Harum's second album and in many ways similar to the first – but better, if you know what I mean. The blues feeling and the atmosphere is the same, the ideas a little more advanced perhaps. They have this great wall of sound dominated overall by that fantastic organ, and a solo vocal that's so raw it tears at you. All the numbers were written by the group.

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