Gary Brooker's voice, 3-plus decades after this great song was first released, is as strong as, and has more depth and resonance than, the voice he had as a young man. This more mature voice, combined with the highly talented band, the fantastic orchestra, the awesome choir, and this unique setting, make this one of those rare and most memorable experiences of our lifetime! Truly incredible!!
@@JaquelineGoodspeed I agree. This live version is wonderful, but nothing will compare to when I heard that organ solo at the start of the song for the first time. I was blown away.
Gary's voice was just as pleasant in the 60s up until his death. A true legend. Perhaps one of the greatest songs produced , 'Whiter' remains a timeless classic.
Whiter Shade of Pale was voted the best song in the past 50 years in England over all Beatles and Stones. John Lennon said he wished he had wrote this song. Procol Harum was the first rock group followed by the Moddy Blues to incorporate orchestras in their music. Robin Trower gained a reputation as a great guitarist even without his guitar being upfront in their music.
Thanks "The Wolf HunterZ" for all the good music from Germany! This song is from 1967 and the singer Gary Brooker died 19. February 2022 . What a wonderful song all time!
I have now seen a number of "First Reaction To" A whiter Shade of Pale. It is always amazing to see the faces. Even the toughest guys are touched by the classic intro and when Gary starts singing, tears well up in their eyes. In 1967 I was 11 years old when I heard this piece for the first time. It has accompanied me all my life and when I am buried one day, this version of this song should be played as a final greeting.
This is a timeless classic. It will be played in a hundred years and still loved by all those who hear it. Thank you Gary and Keith for writing such an amazing song. 6 weeks at number 1 in June 1967. You have both left us this music that will live on. RIP Gary and Keith, may the Angels enjoy your music and give you wings to fly
I've been enjoying this song since my early childhood years, somewhere in the early 1970's. Easily, this is one of my very favorite songs ever. When this video was recorded, they broke all barriers of greatness. Such an epic song. Long Live Gary Brooker and Procol Harum.
It begins briefly that way but goes entirely its own way. Bach deserves a huge shout but this is in itself original and the most beautiful organ composition I have ever heard from any era.
Gary Brooker (R.I.P.) had THE golden voice. I enjoy this particular version over the original record soley because of Brooker. His voice, so seasoned & mature as it is here really adds to the song & lyrics. Sublime, incredible performance.
We saw him play this with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in 96 in Clearwater, Florida, My wife bought me tickets for my 43rd birthday, $25.00 nice price. Ringo, Gary, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton and Simon Kirke. Jim
This is one of the best live versions i have ever heard of a pop song. Gotta remember as well when admiring his vocals that it had been 40 years since the track was originall released when this version was recorded.
At the 8:04 mark you just finished saying that his voice could not be the same from 1967. I suggest you go find an original recording from that year. I knew that voice in 1967 from way too many hours under headphones listening to this song, to not hear the same voice from this recording in 2007. Sad at his passing, but loved his Style. And I find hope that someone as young as you seem to be, can find the "Old School" groove we all grew up with. As a point in time, Woodstock (you know about that, right?) happened 9 weeks after I graduated from High School. Peace and Love. Ringo taught all of us that line.
This was a smash hit and is still loved and this is the best version ever. The Miller's Tale was written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It is a tale of lust and debauchery and betrayal. The lady in this song turns a whiter shade of pale because I presume, she has not been faithful and the man who thinks his eyes were wide open didn't see any of it so his eyes might as well have been closed. The woman says there is no reason. The man can not let it be. But, you don't have to be an English major and know how to read Middle English to love this song. It just adds another layer. Gary, rest in peace. What a talent!!! Thank you!!!!
Hey folks, greetings from the UK 🇬🇧 Love seeing you react to this. Lead singer Gary Brooker formed this group in 1967 having had a brief carreer with another group he formed in 1962 called The Paramounts. By 1967 he’d been focussed on songwriting but was struggling to find artists to record his material so subsequently formed Procol Harum. This song was the first release from their FIRST ALBUM. It chopped the charts in numerous countries worldwide including their native UK 🇬🇧 and is one of the most commercially successful singled in history having sold 10 Million+ copies!! It was an anthem during 1967’s so called Summer Of Love. To date there are over 1,000 covers recorded by other artists!! Sadly, Gary passed away in February 2022 😢 Incredible live performance this is though 😊 Much love t’yall from the UK 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Gary Brooker’s voice is amazing. At 61 he can still handle the difficult note changes in this beautiful song, and looks so much in his element as he sings his most famous contribution to all of music.
Just FYI - the melody of this song is derived from classical composer J.S. Bach’s “Air in G” composition. Gary Brooker is an amazing vocalist - he sounds better in 2006 than he did in 1967. Thanks for the reaction.
I was 16 in 1967. This was a very popular song in the DC area on AM radio that summer. I wish you would watch the vintage video of Procol Harum singing this song with the group meandering around London during that period of time...the clothes, the people, the vehicles, the monuments... Priceless!
This single piece of music encapsulates a whole decade...the incredible..era defining unforgettable 1960's..indeed of masterpiece proportions...anthem for liberated youth....and the creation of flower power culture
Unfortunately ,we lost Gary to Cancer,,Two Years ago,he will be missed. You need to hear him sing,The Salty Dog,at the same concert!!The band was outstanding!!
The 60's studio version of this song was great but this live version is stupendous as it has more depth with the orchestra and choir. Gary Brooker's voice aged like a fine wine. R.I.P. Gary.
Yes, and it IS a classical piece. original (The organ piece) was writen by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1730.... 🙂 But ofcource, this is a Masterpiece!
My comment is probably redundant with every reaction I see to Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” but it’s kinda sweet as Sir Paul MCCartney was once asked which song he wished he had written. He replied, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”. It was the song playing when Paul first started dated his first wife Linda Eastman. After many years of marriage, Linda passed away from Breast Cancer! 😢
RIP Mr. Gary Brooker, we so enjoyed your music throughout the years. The fact that he was in his 80's is amazing. He passed away not very long after this.
It’s difficult to find adequate words to describe this but you guys your faces say it all, you’re digging every second of it and it’s an absolute thrill for a guy like me who wasn’t quite born yet when this song was released (I turned up 4 years later lol). The orchestra and choir are top draw and what can we say about Gary and the gang? Matured over the nearly forty years like the finest aged Scotch whisky 🥃 Awesome!! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Interesting comment you made: "They made it sound like a classical piece". Actually, it IS a classical piece - J. S. Bach's Air on a G string, They took the tune from that classical piece and turned it into a rock song.
This wasn't the first time Procol Harum played with an orchestra. In 1971 they recorded an album with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and released the live album a year later. That was when I heard them for the first time. Now, for extra points, tell me what was the Miller's Tale all about and why it made her face turn a "Whiter Shade of Pale".
PROCOL HAREM, "WHITER SHADE OF PALE". If you take a listen too the 1967 recording. Tell me Gary Brooker's voice doesn't sound eerily simular. I am not surprised in the facts of this epic classic song. Another song would interesting to see the two of you reaction to, the band TRAFFIC doing, "THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS".. and BLUE OYSTER CULT, doing "DOMINANCE AND SUBMISSION"..
What a great updated version of Garry Brooker's classic from 39 years prior. I've never really understood what the lyrics meant but I guess they related somewhat to the Vietnam war raging at that time, which was very unpopular.
It's amazing how many UK singers from the 1960s were getting their "soul" from Ray Charles. Some- Steve Winwood and Joe Cocker - were blatantly ripping off Ray but even the singer here, Gary Brooker, has a lot of Ray in his singing.
"Epic" I think is the word you're searching for. If you like the fusion between Rock and Orchestral then check out Electric Light Orchestra, they're Epic on steroids.
His voice sounds exactly as it did in 1967.
This is when you hear a song and buy the whole album because of one great song.
Did that so many times then the 45 came our.
Gary Brooker was such a talent. His voice mellowed to whiskey and the smoothest tobacco. RIP.
Gary Brooker's voice, 3-plus decades after this great song was first released, is as strong as, and has more depth and resonance than, the voice he had as a young man. This more mature voice, combined with the highly talented band, the fantastic orchestra, the awesome choir, and this unique setting, make this one of those rare and most memorable experiences of our lifetime! Truly incredible!!
More like four decades. Released in '67, this concert in 2006. Thirty-nine years.
@@fridaylong2812”3+ decades” doesn’t work for you? 🙄
Love this song, it's so better live then in a studio
I love both.
@@JaquelineGoodspeed I agree. This live version is wonderful, but nothing will compare to when I heard that organ solo at the start of the song for the first time. I was blown away.
This live version brings out more of the emotion than the already emotional song, at least to me.
Gary's voice was just as pleasant in the 60s up until his death. A true legend.
Perhaps one of the greatest songs produced , 'Whiter' remains a timeless classic.
Whiter Shade of Pale was voted the best song in the past 50 years in England over all Beatles and Stones. John Lennon said he wished he had wrote this song. Procol Harum was the first rock group followed by the Moddy Blues to incorporate orchestras in their music. Robin Trower gained a reputation as a great guitarist even without his guitar being upfront in their music.
One of the best live performances of all time
No matter what generation your from this has to be on the play list
One of the epic performances of all time.
I can''t tell the difference in his voice, and my big brother played it daily.
Thanks "The Wolf HunterZ" for all the good music from Germany! This song is from 1967 and the singer Gary Brooker died 19. February 2022 . What a wonderful song all time!
I have now seen a number of "First Reaction To" A whiter Shade of Pale. It is always amazing to see the faces. Even the toughest guys are touched by the classic intro and when Gary starts singing, tears well up in their eyes. In 1967 I was 11 years old when I heard this piece for the first time. It has accompanied me all my life and when I am buried one day, this version of this song should be played as a final greeting.
This is a timeless classic. It will be played in a hundred years and still loved by all those who hear it. Thank you Gary and Keith for writing such an amazing song. 6 weeks at number 1 in June 1967. You have both left us this music that will live on. RIP Gary and Keith, may the Angels enjoy your music and give you wings to fly
I've been enjoying this song since my early childhood years, somewhere in the early 1970's. Easily, this is one of my very favorite songs ever. When this video was recorded, they broke all barriers of greatness. Such an epic song. Long Live Gary Brooker and Procol Harum.
Best to listen than talk while listening to such great harmonizing….love Procal Harum!
Classic 💜 the chorus is Bachs "air on a g string" why if sounds so good with orchestra & organ. Love & light 💜🏴🌻
Starts that way but is so much more.
Gary Brooker said this song came to him when he was reading Thomas Carlyle’s classic, Sartor Resartus. The song is based on Scottish philosophy.
Gary Brooker was a great singer. This was our in 1967. He's much older believe this was in 2006. He sounds great one of the greatest songs ever.
The melody is BACH Sleepers Wake & Air On A G-String
It begins briefly that way but goes entirely its own way. Bach deserves a huge shout but this is in itself original and the most beautiful organ composition I have ever heard from any era.
Gary Brooker What a voice, What a song, tears in My eyes
Gary Brooker (R.I.P.) had THE golden voice. I enjoy this particular version over the original record soley because of Brooker. His voice, so seasoned & mature as it is here really adds to the song & lyrics. Sublime, incredible performance.
Simply one of the finest live performances ever captured
We saw him play this with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in 96 in Clearwater, Florida, My wife bought me tickets for my 43rd birthday, $25.00 nice price. Ringo, Gary, Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton and Simon Kirke. Jim
RIP Gary ... thank you for all the years. I remember hearing the original song on my old AM radio (WLS Chicago)
Transistor radio --KJR- here in the Seattle area. Graduated from high school 1969 🫶🏼
My mom was pregnant with me in 1967 when this song came out. Beautiful song I’ve loved for 50+ years!
This was a slow dance song back in my day at high school dances.
Excellent this is my dad's favourite song I like it too
This is one of the best live versions i have ever heard of a pop song. Gotta remember as well when admiring his vocals that it had been 40 years since the track was originall released when this version was recorded.
I first heard this waaay back in the late sixties.
It's still an amazing song today.
Gotta listen to the original too guys for context.
The best band ever in my opinion so well supported by orchestra and choir. Don't be afraid to check out more fromthis incredible band.
I have the entire concert
What a way to start a beautiful Sunday morning!!! Thank you for this reaction!!! Been hoping you would get to it!!🎵🎼🎶🎸🎤🎧🎙🎹🥁🤘🤘🤘🔥🔥🔥
At the 8:04 mark you just finished saying that his voice could not be the same from 1967. I suggest you go find an original recording from that year. I knew that voice in 1967 from way too many hours under headphones listening to this song, to not hear the same voice from this recording in 2007. Sad at his passing, but loved his Style. And I find hope that someone as young as you seem to be, can find the "Old School" groove we all grew up with. As a point in time, Woodstock (you know about that, right?) happened 9 weeks after I graduated from High School. Peace and Love. Ringo taught all of us that line.
Jaw dropping .. Rest in Paradise Gary Brooker
Amazing emotional performance. Wonderful voice.
Check out their other song "Conquistador" from the same concert. It really rocks!
This was a smash hit and is still loved and this is the best version ever. The Miller's Tale was written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. It is a tale of lust and debauchery and betrayal. The lady in this song turns a whiter shade of pale because I presume, she has not been faithful and the man who thinks his eyes were wide open didn't see any of it so his eyes might as well have been closed. The woman says there is no reason. The man can not let it be. But, you don't have to be an English major and know how to read Middle English to love this song. It just adds another layer. Gary, rest in peace. What a talent!!! Thank you!!!!
Wonderful reaction! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Nothing like a good hammond organ
7:16 cue the frisson (goosebumps) EVERY TIME with this version..
Hey folks, greetings from the UK 🇬🇧 Love seeing you react to this. Lead singer Gary Brooker formed this group in 1967 having had a brief carreer with another group he formed in 1962 called The Paramounts. By 1967 he’d been focussed on songwriting but was struggling to find artists to record his material so subsequently formed Procol Harum. This song was the first release from their FIRST ALBUM. It chopped the charts in numerous countries worldwide including their native UK 🇬🇧 and is one of the most commercially successful singled in history having sold 10 Million+ copies!! It was an anthem during 1967’s so called Summer Of Love.
To date there are over 1,000 covers recorded by other artists!!
Sadly, Gary passed away in February 2022 😢
Incredible live performance this is though 😊 Much love t’yall from the UK 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Actually Procol Harum borrowed a classical piece by Bach and turned it into a rock song.😊😊😊
Saw them perform in D.C in 1969. The opened for Iron Butterfly. Epic concert!
Gary Brooker’s voice is amazing. At 61 he can still handle the difficult note changes in this beautiful song, and looks so much in his element as he sings his most famous contribution to all of music.
I’ve always loved this song: I was 13 when it was released in 1967.
Although it is hard to find, the full version with ALL FOUR verses is amazing
Just FYI - the melody of this song is derived from classical composer J.S. Bach’s “Air in G” composition. Gary Brooker is an amazing vocalist - he sounds better in 2006 than he did in 1967. Thanks for the reaction.
I was 16 in 1967. This was a very popular song in the DC area on AM radio that summer. I wish you would watch the vintage video of Procol Harum singing this song with the group meandering around London during that period of time...the clothes, the people, the vehicles, the monuments... Priceless!
This single piece of music encapsulates a whole decade...the incredible..era defining unforgettable 1960's..indeed of masterpiece proportions...anthem for liberated youth....and the creation of flower power culture
Conquistador from this same concert!
The blues rock legend Robin Trower played with the band from 67-71 incredible guitarist I loved this band
first time here. nice.
Unfortunately ,we lost Gary to Cancer,,Two Years ago,he will be missed. You need to hear him sing,The Salty Dog,at the same concert!!The band was outstanding!!
Musical art at its finest.
Gary Brooker took a little piece of JS BACH composition AIR in G string and did that beautiful song
You're a great couple. Thank you for your reactions. I'm so glad I grew up with actual talent. My ears only want to hear perfection.
insane remake of one of my fave songs of all time...GORGEOUS!!!
The 60's studio version of this song was great but this live version is stupendous as it has more depth with the orchestra and choir. Gary Brooker's voice aged like a fine wine. R.I.P. Gary.
Yes, and it IS a classical piece. original (The organ piece) was writen by Johann Sebastian Bach around 1730.... 🙂
But ofcource, this is a Masterpiece!
Not exactly, it was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's “Sleepers, Wake!” and “Air on the G String”
My comment is probably redundant with every reaction I see to Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” but it’s kinda sweet as Sir Paul MCCartney was once asked which song he wished he had written. He replied, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”. It was the song playing when Paul first started dated his first wife Linda Eastman. After many years of marriage, Linda passed away from Breast Cancer! 😢
This is the best performance of this song they ever did.. The Orchestration is perfect.. Gary's voice is perfect.. the melancholy is perfect..
Actually, it’s the worst …his voice is shot, hence all the orchestral assistance …tempo sucks too
@@jayedwards4787
The orchestra is beautiful. Just beautiful.
@@JaquelineGoodspeed it’s terrible .. the tempo is much too slow and the organ on the original was spectacular …The original is vastly superior
@Jay Edwards
Oh I agree but the original was how long ago? I like the orchestra in this.
RIP Mr. Gary Brooker, we so enjoyed your music throughout the years. The fact that he was in his 80's is amazing. He passed away not very long after this.
I just cry everyone i hear it especially when young people hear it for the first time and are impressed with its in depth beauty!
Late 50's, 60's and mid 70's produced the best music ever.
One of the classics always loved this song
John Lennon once said this song was his favorite song of all time
classical and opera are both just heavy metal without electricity.....
He sounded better in the 2000's then what he did in 67
so fantastic:) shows ya dont wanna write off the old folks!! :)))))))))))))))))))))))
Check out The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, by the Danish Philharmonic Orchestra.
There is literally no sunshine.
It’s difficult to find adequate words to describe this but you guys your faces say it all, you’re digging every second of it and it’s an absolute thrill for a guy like me who wasn’t quite born yet when this song was released (I turned up 4 years later lol). The orchestra and choir are top draw and what can we say about Gary and the gang? Matured over the nearly forty years like the finest aged Scotch whisky 🥃 Awesome!! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Mr Brooker's voice got better with time 🎶🎵💚
Beautiful song…
Also, I just had to say, you guys are so wholesome! 💚
Don't Gary just look too COOL!
The intro is from JS Bach, I think.
Interesting comment you made: "They made it sound like a classical piece". Actually, it IS a classical piece - J. S. Bach's Air on a G string, They took the tune from that classical piece and turned it into a rock song.
This wasn't the first time Procol Harum played with an orchestra. In 1971 they recorded an album with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and released the live album a year later. That was when I heard them for the first time.
Now, for extra points, tell me what was the Miller's Tale all about and why it made her face turn a "Whiter Shade of Pale".
RIP Legend.
This is Procol Harum with Orchestra and chorus !!!!!
Apresentação espetacular
Gary your music will always live in our hearts
That was so cool when you yelled over Gary's money notes.
Actually it sounded exactly the same in the 60's. Just for your own interest, listen to the original. But i love this version.
PROCOL HAREM, "WHITER SHADE OF PALE". If you take a listen too the 1967 recording. Tell me Gary Brooker's voice doesn't sound eerily simular. I am not surprised in the facts of this epic classic song. Another song would interesting to see the two of you reaction to, the band TRAFFIC doing, "THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS".. and BLUE OYSTER CULT, doing "DOMINANCE AND SUBMISSION"..
brilliant
This band and others like Moody Blues were great for their use of the orchestras in their music. This is the sounds of my youth.
His lipstick is a weird color.
I saw them live when that song first came out. It was a magical concert.
Don't worry...The sun up there, even in the summer is really weak.
What a great updated version of Garry Brooker's classic from 39 years prior. I've never really understood what the lyrics meant but I guess they related somewhat to the Vietnam war raging at that time, which was very unpopular.
Actually, Gary said that the song was about meeting a girl and falling in love almost instantly
It's amazing how many UK singers from the 1960s were getting their "soul" from Ray Charles. Some- Steve Winwood and Joe Cocker - were blatantly ripping off Ray but even the singer here, Gary Brooker, has a lot of Ray in his singing.
If you like rock and roll mixed with orchestra, you will love the electric light orchestra 😁😁😁✌️☮️✌️☮️✌️
You should try the band called ( The Sensational Alex Harvey Band ) song called Faith Healer
The Mozart-esque intro soooooo beautiful
Gut wrenching and beautiful ❤
A lot of people do not know that Robin Trower was a member of the original Procol Harum
It was a classical piece to begin with. Bach's Air on a G string and also Sleepers, Wake.
"Epic" I think is the word you're searching for. If you like the fusion between Rock and Orchestral then check out Electric Light Orchestra, they're Epic on steroids.
May I suggest an outdoor concert of epic grandeur; Celine Dion and Ginette Reno "Un peu plus haut" (A little higher)
Wow, people who can play instruments. What a novel idea!