Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

What was new at 'Beyond the Pale'

November 2005

November 30:

Added two reviews of Matthew Fisher's Journey's End from 1974 girlie magazines: but the writers at Penthouse (thanks, Tormod) and Genesis (thanks Ken) clearly have something other than music on their minds.

Journey's End is now available in a high-quality Japanese re-issue from Amazon

November 29:

Added a sixth and final page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

November 28:

Added more Southend-related memoirs – specially about scooters – in the lead-up to the Shades reunion (thanks, John)

November 27:

Added a fifth page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

November 26:

Added more Southend-related memoirs in the lead-up to the Shades reunion (thanks, John) ... anyone want to play keyboards in a Status Quo tribute band?

The eBay auction for that unused Grand Hotel illustration closes on Sunday

November 25:

Added a fourth page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

November 24:

It's a long while since Procol Harum music was heard live on US soil; click here to find out what's happening in just over a fortnight's time (thanks, Wilson)

Added a photograph of Len Trower and son with the backdrop in front of which the Paramounts played in 60s Southend (thanks, John)

November 23:

If you want to know the latest Procol Harum (and related) news, sign yourself up for the Fresh Fruit newsletter by clicking here.

Last night's issue informed its 2,152 subscribers that Gary Brooker's Paramounts Reunion Gig is sold out (though BtP can help you out with a handful of tickets: mail us!)

However we learn today that Gary has added another night of music ... not a charity gig, not a Paramounts gig, just plain Gary Brooker and Friends ... on 18 December, which is booking now. So click here for more information including a dedicated booking-link.

Added another cover of A Whiter Shade of Pale to this page ... search for 'Hietanen' (thanks, Henrik)

November 22:

Added a third page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

November 21:

Added another page introducing a hitherto-unknown illustration for sale from the Grand Hotel series ... how different the album would have been if this song had been included! (thanks, Gary)

The above-mentioned illustration can be yours ... see here

November 20:

Added another musicianly review to this page (thanks, Larry)

Added some superstar esteem for A Whiter Shade of Pale ... from a musician that we strongly recommend you to go out and hear ... he's extremely active, and extremely entertaining (thanks, Hephzibah)

Added a musician-identification to this page (thanks, Gary)

November 19: HBOE

Added a second page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

Check the bidding in the Procol artwork auction!

November 18:

Added a third and final page of screenshots showing Gary Brooker on 2001's Hootenanny on UK TV (thanks, Larry)

November 17:

Added a first page of screenshots showing Procol Harum on US television in the early 1990s (thanks, Larry)

For your listening pleasure: go to iTunes and type in 'Glastonbury podcast'; listen to the whole show, of course, but about 3 minutes in you'll hear all about the Palers' Project, and at about 4.50 a stellar track from From Shadow to Shadow (thanks, John) This broadcast comes in principle from Glastonbury Podcasting though it doesn't seem to be listed there at the moment ... worth listening to if you've never had the opportunity to visit the Isle of Avalon (Procol refer to the Quest for the Holy Grail in the song Beyond the Pale of course ... find out where it's buried!)

November 16:

"The guitar," she was gasping, "the guitar sings again!"

Added a good report and photographs from a recent Swiss gig (thanks, Andreas)

November 15:

Added a third and final dose of screenshots of Fisher and Brooker on a US TV show (thanks, Larry)

November 14:

Added another page introducing another illustration for sale from the Grand Hotel series (thanks, Gary)

November 13:

Added a review of an excellent Procol Harum concert from earlier in the year (thanks, Mirek)

November 12:

Added two nice snippets about Procol Harum on the road in the 1970s (thanks Jim / Peter)

More brief reminiscences like the above are always welcome at 'Beyond the Pale': please click here to send them to us

November 11:

'Nocturne is a particular triumph, Gary Brooker's Hammond whipping up an earthy swirl beneath some glorious multi-tracked vocal harmonies, locked into the most animated chill-out groove of the year. Eight minutes has never passed so quickly.' Scotland on Sunday, 6 November, reviewing Kate Bush's new double CD Aerial (thanks, Charlie)

Added a recent Brooker session to this page (more specific information would be welcome from Bush-heads)

Added another image to this Salty Dog page ... please send more (thanks, Larry)

November 10

Added further articles from the Southend newspaper ... more social history from the cradle of Procoldom (thanks, John)

Added news of a Shades Reunion concert on 17 December at Club Riga, Southend-on-Sea, at which Gary Brooker will lead something of a Paramounts reunion (thanks, Dave)

This is going to sell out immediately so book your 15-pound tickets (here) now!

November 9:

Added pictures of a Mediterranean get-together catalysed by a famous song (thanks, Stefano)

Added a Florida venue to the 1974 tour schedule (search for 'Hixon') (thanks, Karl)

Added a personal opinion about Homburg (thanks, Joseph)

November 8:

"Lot 447: Packard pump Harmonium organ with carved wooden case, foot pedals and stops. In full working order. Used onstage by Sutch and Procol Harum in recording and stage work"

Read all about it, and the work of Ethel, who went on to play with Procol Harum (thanks, John)

Remember this very intriguing story, which appears to imply that the AWSoP introduction predates Procol Harum? And this one ...

November 7:

Added another fascinating page of letters, from the press in Southend, about the coffee-bar culture surrounding the Paramounts, the roots of Procol Harum. In this instalment, comments from Gary Brooker (BtP has been sending him the clippings) (thanks, John)

November 6:

'Pass the tissues, please!'

Added a beautiful and moving account of a fan's pilgrimage to renew acquaintance with an old friend (thanks, Freddie)

November 5:

Added a page shewing plenty of good detail from a rather good poster advertising Procol Harum in Paris earlier this year (thanks, Chris)

November 4:

Added a fourth and final page of screenshots showing Procol Harum onstage in the mid 1990s (thanks, Larry)

November 3:

Added some post-gig photographs from the Procol show in Basel, during June (thanks, Melanie)

November 2:

Added some Welsh to this useful page (thanks, Anthony)

Added a review of the recent Procol DVD re-release (thanks, Ben)

November 1:

Added a good pro-Procol letter to America's 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame' (thanks, Pete)

Read what was new on this website in previous months