HIs voice is so raw compared to the smooth flowing of the song. I like it better than the original although the original was smother and very good. Good enough to play the vinyl over and over...@@larryc3860
One thing you can count on with singers from the 60's and 70's is that they actually had mad skills in the vocal arena. No tech to make them sound better back then, they had to bring it and sing it. They knew how to take care of their vocal chords, which is why they can still sing!
I'll be 67 next month and you better believe it. I think the 80s and 90s were even better because of all the different genres of music. Best time to be alive for awesome music....
We deffo did!! I still luv to go back n listen to them n have the crazy playlists of yrs back to back n like to surprise meself sometimes ( not knowing who’s next) .. I can’t stick to a particular yr.. it’s always mixed yrs in every new playlist🤣🤣
I had the honor of playing the percussion tenor triangle in the orchestra during this performance. Our entire triangle ensemble were thrilled to take part.
I loved this song when it came out and I was in high school . Now in my 70’s hearing it again makes me see how absolutely wonderful it was. I never grows old.
My dear young man, this song came out in 1966. The Orchestral arrangement was added much later. The Hammond B-3 organ was the front and center instrument in the original version. Gary Brookers voice never failed him until the day he died. It remained as phenomenal all through the years. I had the distinct honor to play accompaniment for Gary and Procol Herum when I was concert pianist for the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. Twice at Star Light Theater and twice at the Lyric Opera house. Gary was a good friend, and his passing left a void that will never be filled.
1967 actually. But yes Gary Brooker was a great singer,and with total respect to my favourite man in music he was beginning to struggle with his voice the last couple of times I saw him live shortly before his untimely passing.May the great man rest in peace.
The great John Lennon kept playing this song over and over when it came out in 1967. I loved The Beatles but when you listen to A Whiter Shade Of Pale with that haunting organ and superb vocals, the song never leaves you. Absolutely brilliant.
I am 72, and this came out when I was in high school. I always loved the music and the voices and never paid much attention to the actual meaning of the words. It was the overall sound I've always loved. The original was not an orchestral version. I liked this version, but the original was so much better.
DITTO on all you said - but this is lovely. I never knew the reason behind the lyrics even reading them, I never grasped its meaning but LOVE the sound
The original Procol Harum were a great band, with Gary Brooker on piano, Matthew Fisher on the Hammond organ, and Robin Trower on guitar. Although Trower played on their debut, self-titled album, he joined the band after "A whiter Shade of Pale" was already recorded. This concert was almost 40 years later, and Gary Brooker was the only remaining member of the original band. He still had the great voice that made the song a massive hit way back when. So sad that he died in 2022, RIP Gary Brooker.
'That Her Face at First Just Ghostly, Turned a Whiter Shade of Pale' will forever be one of the greatest lines ever written! Love this song, and this reaction! ❤
Both A Whiter Shade of Pale and When A Man Loves a Woman are based on chord progressions from a piece by JS Bach called Air on the G-string ( the string on a violin...) I will link to it below.
There you go again hanging up on the phrase "forced her". Seems to me some of Rap actually rapes women. Keep enjoying music without the political correct stuff. I'm sure no man took advantage of a woman because of this song. Love your videos.
“The Miller’s Tale” in “The Canterbury Tales”, by Geoffrey Chaucer was published in 1387. I think it incorporated some of that as well as the songwriters thought that writing a song with abstract lyrics was kind of like painting abstract painting. “The Miller’s Tale” is basically about an older miller with a young, beautiful wife, and two younger men want to sleep with her. Kind of an angry, drunken rant. A miller is someone who works in a mill and grinds grain into flour. A lot of the old Europeans surnames came from the occupation of an ancestor. Miller, Taylor, Farmer, Shepherd, Smith, Thatcher, etc. This song came out about 57 years ago. He was a kid when he sang it with Procol Harum.
Procol Harum is the band, it means "Beyond These Things" in Latin. Gary Brooker is the lead singer. • The Miller's Tale is a story out of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in England from 1387-1400. At its most basic, it's the bawdy tale of an old and dull-witted carpenter who is betrayed by his much younger wife. This is the key to the song. The girl is about to leave the older man ("her face at first just ghostly"). She hears The Miller's Tale and blanches at her own sexual indiscretion ("turned a whiter shade of pale"). She avoids telling him why she's leaving ("there is no reason"), and he's blind to the indiscretion ("although my eyes were open, they may just as well have been closed"). He attempts to reason with her (“I wandered through my playing cards”), and so prevent this young, supposedly faithful lover (“Vestal Virgin”) from leaving him for good ("for the coast").
If you haven't heard this one, you are dead. It is played in movies, commercials, you name it. One of the most iconic songs in rock. Never gets old and his voice was so great even in this live performance. He passed not long after this but the song will live forever. Thank you for sharing and loving it.
An absolute British classic,the world has lost this type of music with real quality performers with real music and no auto tune,today's conveyer belt music is lost to me,RIP to Gary the lead vocalist,LEGEND ❤
Worked with teen girls about two decades ago. They thought "back it up, baby" was a love song. Likely wouldn't even grasp real music if they heard it. This song was heartbreaking..
Geeeez..guessing you interrupt intense movies in the theaters, too. Yelling, throwing popcorn...you killed the entire flow, smh. Interrupted the story. Either listen to the music, or give it up.
Im 76 yr and I really don't think "rappers" really know what music is, but I applaud you for seeing the difference. OMG, instruments and pure singing was normal in my experience. Great reaction.
@katyas-mom I think there is a big difference between "rappers" and those that listen to rap. Those that make the music know how to get the bucks from the listeners. The ones who are actually making the rap music that hits the main stream, are probably quite talented and skilled, but they make their product to make money, not to be useful
@@katyas-mom You may be right, but I grew up in the age of Marvin Gaye, Jerry Butler, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Al Green and Sam Cooke. These people could sing. Almost everyone recognized that these artists knew how to deliver a song about subjects everyone understood. I'll be the first to admit, I don't understand Rap Music, I don't see the talent required to "sample" other people's music as equal to creating it yourself. I rarely understand what the songs are about. I know I'm not the target audience, but anyone can hear a Marvin Gaye song and know that guy could sing.
And 300+years, after it was composed in Germany by a certain J.S. Bach. It is just one sentence of only 18 bars of his "Orchester Suite Nr 3" and this part was later isolated called "Air over the G string". Procol Harum (I do not remember which of those guys) at one time played it , just how remembered it right out of his head, and made that song out of it, nearly every note is correct to the original. Good , in this case very, very, very good music always stands the change of times
Organist Matthew Fisher wrote the distinctive organ melody which was inspired by Bach’s Sleepers, Awake but was original. Gary Brooker was inspired by Air On A G String but didn’t realize it because he was inspired by a cigar commercial he saw on TV which was in turn inspired by Air On A G String.
May 12, 1967. A Whiter Shade of Pale took the world by storm. Gary Brooker, lead singer, sounds exactly the same in this video (maybe better) as he did as a young lad back in '67. He's certainly a little more seasoned. Unfortunately we lost him to cancer a couple of years ago. But we were so blessed to get this live performance from him before he had to leave us. This song has been covered over a thousand times, and is still an anthem to this day. I was 11 when it hit the airwaves in 1967. Am now 67, and still absolutely LOVE this masterpiece.
This is the original band that put out this masterpiece. I think in the late 60s! Back when artists took the time for the music. It is a classic rock band and they were invited to sing along with this orchestra in Denmark. Good music never gets old! This is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Good choice! Great job...
I was born in 1962 and just turned 62, I had the privilege of growing up when the best music that's ever been created was performed. All pure talent from back then.
I can relate, I also was born in 1962 and was privileged and fortunate to grow up listening to high quality music like this! I always loved this song ❤❤❤
"As the Miller told his tale", that is taken from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer about a group of people on a pilgrimage to Canterbury in the 1300s. The song is about self-destruction, which is what the Miller's tale was about. The Miller was self-destructive because he was always drinking and fighting and it cost him a lot.
Everyone has their own unique interpretations of the song, because of references to Canterbury Tales. Gary said in an interview that he was in a bar and tried to pick a woman up, but she left with her friends. So, he used the line "One of sixteen vestal virgins leaving from the shore". He said the whole song was that he struck out, and he remember how beautiful the woman was. he said there is no hidden meaning in the words.
@@stevencarter1793 I'm happy to know about the "Canterbury Tales". But I think this is simply a love song, from a young man "hipnotized" by a woman who he couldn't be able to be with. A romantic love song, full of emotional charge. All the other "images" sounds like allegories for me, specially "as the Miller told his tales", for example. Lyrics are like this some times. They can have some distortions, and not exactly every word/sentence has to be precisely explained. Sometimes the composer gets confused himself.
The studio version of this song from 1967 was great but this live version is stupendous as it is enriched due to the orchestra and choir. Gary's voice aged like a fine wine. R.I.P. Gary.
1. this sounds familiar because it is based on a classical piece of music by Johann Sebastian Bach ... the music you hear before he starts to sing is by Bach. 2. the original song did not use orchestra or choir but just the band. Gary Brooker, the vocalist and piano player, wrote the whole orchestra and choir arrangement himself. 3. the original song is a true classic released in May 1967, 14 days before The Beatles released their seminal album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band ... this song by Procol Harum and the Beatles album were part of the soundtrack for that Summer Of Love.
No the arrangement at the beginning is not Bach, it's just a beautiful modern arrangement based on the song. That Bach allusion is a bit lazy, its a very very common chord progression used all over the place. having said this Proocl harum made it into one of the best ever songs. Listen to the 1967 original single. The atmosphere on it is amazing.
He passed a few months after this performance. This song hits hard. My sworn promise to a club brother is if he goes before me, I'll sing this at his funeral. If you listen to any earlier recording you'll notice his voice did not change with age. Instead it got deeper and soulfull. This is one of those songs that will never disappear. If your parents grew up in the 60's and 70's on mainland US, this song is in their hearts.
I'm afraid your information is incorrect. This was recorded live in Denmark back in 2006. While Gary Brooker did pass, it was nearly sixteen years after this beautiful performance was done. Brooker died of cancer at the age of 76 in February, 2022. Perhaps you are confusing him with someone else? I suppose it matters not, it was a loss any way you look at it. However at least he had those additional sixteen years although I'm sure he would have wished for more. Just as many of us would.
I don't think they were under-rated. I am from that era and every one I knew had great respect for Procol Harum. They just didn't put out a lot of stuff that could break into radio play
Have you any idea of the station number, I have a wifi world radio and would love to hear all the music, as an expat from Scotland now in Australia for 50yrs... thanks in advance 👍
Go back to see Gary and his band only perform this ( the original version )way back in 1967. It s on You Tube. You just saw him perform it almost 40 years later. Both versions are excellent. Prbly my favorite song ever. I first heard it in my last year in high school in 1967. A true Classic.
It's 1 year older than me. I heard it a lot during my 55 years. I love 60s, 70s and 80s music. I like rock, pop, R&B and country from those three decades. It's songs from my youth. As many times as I heard this song, I never really listened to the lyrics. The music is what intrigued me most. This is like hearing it for the first time. It's pretty wild. I'm glad I got to hear the lyrics for the first time, even if I heard it all my life.
I was born in '67. My brother got back from Nam in the summer of 71. One day, I was listening to some 'bubble gum' music.... he said "oh no! No baby sister of mine is going to listen to that! You're gonna learn all the cool music!!" We drove to the levee, he stuck in an 8 track, lane our seats back.... and jammed to the tunes!! (Looking back, I think he always dropped a hit of acid before we threw the seats back😂) This song always reminds me of him❤ RIP POOLTABLE❤❤❤
So the key to the Miller's Tale is that it's about an unfaithful wife. The line "her face at first just ghostly turned a whiter shade of pale" suggests that this tale may hit close to home... BRILLIANT! That's straight from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
@@doomhunter697 There's got to be a tie in elsewhere, because the combination of that and the fact that the "she" could not be one of the vestal virgins is too strong a correlation to be coincidence. The likelihood of just the face going pale is extraordinarily unlikely to be a random throwaway line that happens to fit with the thematic implications of the story of the Miller's Tale. I would say that it becomes orders of magnitude more unlikely for that same random throwaway line that fits with the thematic implications of the Miller's Tale as well as the implication that she cannot be one of the vestal virgins. It's also too clever for me to have made it up. So I'm not sure what happened. I'm not lecturing you, BTW. I'm pretty baked and love talking about this stuff. Cheers!
@@simontemplar3359 The title he picked up from a random comment at a party. The rest is either coincidence or things he picked up just from being around others who have read it, but he insisted as far as he knew, he never read it.
I always thought it said and the mirror told it's tale as if someone is looking at there own reflection in the mirror as if it's telling 0ne it's own truth I'm going with my version what I thought I find it more endearing and appealing to me absolute classic
When your reaction is what the fffff I finish out your word with What the Fantastic and that’s only one of the Great wonderful amazing words that can describe him and his voice and performance. My generation had the very best music ❤❤❤
From Wikipedia: Procol Harum (/ˈproʊkəl ˈhɑːrəm/) were an English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies.[4] Although noted for their baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music is described as psychedelic rock and proto-prog with hints of the blues, R&B, and soul. When you do the math (2006-1967) you can see that even after 39 yrs the singer, Gary Brooker, SITLL HAS THE CHOPS! Amazing performance and I'm glad you were able to experience it. Keep it up BP, you are the finest kind! PS: Gary passed in 2022 at the age of 78.... RIP to a great performer.
You arn't wrong @blackpegasus. The voice does change with age; many artists lose their voices over time especially if they don't practice good vocal health. Seeing anyone belt like this in their golden years is just hard proof they never stopped DOING the damn thing. It's just very unusual to have a voice like that at that age without going the extra mile in training and healthy vocal habits (especially if they are still performing/touring) Kind of the same way pro athletes having to train WAY harder to stay at the same level then their younger selves.
That Hammond organ is everything. We had one in our living room, growing up. Mom played. RIP Gary Brooker. If you consistently use your vocal abilities as you age, you can maintain it. You should try listening to Tom Jones. He was an Elvis contemporary. They would weekly alternate Vegas residency. Tom is a judge on UK The Voice. Well into his 80s now, he has performed randomly on The Voice with a variety of singers, and contestants.
Just a side note on Hammond organs used by bands in the 50s, 60s, 70s, they were an integral part of the "sound" that helped make those bands great. All instrument brands have their own distinguishing characteristics, Hammond organs no exception. A Steinway piano sounds differently from a Kawai; a Gibson guitar is different than a Martin. Even a Harley motorcycle has its own distinguishing sound compared to any other bike. Hammond and Wurlitzer. Hammond, during the times of these bands, seems to be the preferred organ for many many bands. In Whiter Shade of Pale, I believe the organ helped seal the identity of this song decade after decade.
Thanks for your critique of the song . I have loved this song for at least 45 years . Please check out the original recordings from 1967. This version is awesome , much power from the Orchestra .
I’ve always loved this song. But now that you’ve heard this version you should go back and listen to him sing it in the original 60s version. It’s amazing how great his voice is. The 60s had a lot of very poetic music that’s not always easy to understand.
Hey mate, I love that you covered Procol Harum. I actually got to see the lead singer and musical songwriter, Gary Brooker, in March 2000, in Wollongong Australia. He came onto the stage, then some fuckwit yelled out get off the stage you old man! I was horrified. But the crowd didn't know Gary Brooker's name. As soon as he started playing, 'A Salty Dog', 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', and then Conquistador', the crowd recognised Gary Brooker as Procol Harum! Then the crowd roared! I was a teenager when I saw Gary. I am very grateful to have seen him, as he died in 2022. His voice was exactly as it was on the original recordings from 1967 onwards. This is the best Live performance with an orchestra I've ever seen/heard of Procol. HOu chose the best. Cheers from AUS.
Great reaction, his voice is still great in this 2006 performance. Saw Procol Harum open for Ten Years After live in 1972. The song was a hit in 1967🤯💓💗
That is what that song was about, all the young men going for the Vietnam war , but many people did not understand the lyrics and even now lots of people are still confused about it. But when you know and listen carefully, he was talking about the boys on the ship leaving for war I am now nearly 76 years old and still get shivers when I hear that song, it was so profond and sad..
Sometimes it's hard to get a straight out explanation for the words written in songs from the 60's and 70's. These were highly influenced by psychedelics and love of poetry, words flowing and music. There are usually things you can pick out of the songs that come together for you like the commenter below who explains about the Fandango being a Spanish dance and the "Millers Tale" from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, but having never read this myself, I couldn't give you an answer. Growing up in the 60's and 70's my love of music always overcame the confusion some of these songs led to. : ) And we were all sort of attuned to this sort of thing simply by being a part of that social "experiment" of drug use and intense music.
In this performance, Gary Brooker topped his already perfect song. I very much appreciate other videos by Procol Harum, you may enjoy them yourself......Congratulations ugadawgs1990. Wow!
i am 73 and i never regret this time ......led zp rolling stones deep purple black Sabah and all the other who have make the most important music in the world
Gary was 22 when he wrote and released this. At this performance he was 61-62 years young. Still could belt it out. He is from London. Procol Harum and the Moody Blues were not afraid to use an orchestra in their songs.
The musical influences comes from Percy Sledges "When a man loves a woman" and from classical music by Sebastian Bach (suite no. 3 d-dur) Baroque period. So yes this is very familiar because we did hear parts from this before. I love what Procol Harum did here and this style is called Baroque Pop. Great that you enjoyed it. Greetings from Germany 🎶
I am 71 years old and this is the first time I've seen your video's. So many of the younger and middle aged people who are surprised to hear the music I grew up with. Glad you liked it. I'm glad to be a new subscriber to your channel. Thanks!
I danced for the first time in a Night Club to this song...will never forget it...quite an event for an 18 year old raised in a small town. I am 70 now.
Thank you for appreciating a song from my teenage years. This came out in 1967 originally. I cannot describe the impact when it came out, and how it absolutely knocked everyone sideways on first hearing. They did not use the second verse on the single.
RIP to Gary. we lost him in 2022. his voice never lost it's beautiful quality.
you are so right..........this version is maybe better than the original 😭
🖤
HIs voice is so raw compared to the smooth flowing of the song. I like it better than the original although the original was smother and very good. Good enough to play the vinyl over and over...@@larryc3860
I didn't know this. RIP and thank you for the soundtrack of my life, or a part of it.
Oh man ! So sad! I'll be seeing him, soon.
One thing you can count on with singers from the 60's and 70's is that they actually had mad skills in the vocal arena. No tech to make them sound better back then, they had to bring it and sing it. They knew how to take care of their vocal chords, which is why they can still sing!
#Absolute Truth
Yes, quality doesn’t need anything but itself, superb. So much a background to my life when younger 🥰
some didn't like Joe Cocker...
Joe Cocker was a VERY hard core alcoholic, that compromises everything in the body, including the vocal chords and breath control.
@@deeptime5581 We could also blasphemously mention Dylan's vocal quality...
Only 47 songs have sold over 10 million physical copies. This is one of them.
WOW! That's an amazing stat! Now I need to find out the others.
I also love their song "Conquistador!"
Wikipedia "Best selling singles". White christmas is nmbr 1
@@Dovey62 and HAMBURG, too!!
And don't forget that the world population was a LOT smaller back then, which actually makes it even more impressive
My 22yr old daughter knows every word of this song!!!! I raised her right!!!❤❤❤
whahaha YOU DID
Good job! 👍
You sure did! Thank you! ✌🏻💀
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Mine too!
One of the greatest songs ever recorded, probably in the top 10. Love this live version with the orchestra.
I am 65 and this song never gets old. I can go back in time every time I hear it. In the 60s and the 70s we had some of the best music.
I'll be 67 next month and you better believe it. I think the 80s and 90s were even better because of all the different genres of music. Best time to be alive for awesome music....
66 here, no doubt we had the best of the best when it came to music.
We deffo did!! I still luv to go back n listen to them n have the crazy playlists of yrs back to back n like to surprise meself sometimes ( not knowing who’s next) .. I can’t stick to a particular yr.. it’s always mixed yrs in every new playlist🤣🤣
That we did! I’m 70 & remember well when this came out.🥰
I'm 67 and we did have the best music.
Us old-timers grew up with some really fantastic music.
Facts
Hot Chicks and fast cars
@KathleenGardner
Of course, most of the music was made with the help of drugs.
And now you see some trying to do remakes, because they themselves, dont have the talent to write their own!
Only the best!
Gary Brooker was 22 when this song was recorded in 1967 and was 61 at the time in this video.
And this song was at the end of a fairly long set list. He'd sung something like 15 or more songs before this.
I'm not sure what is more impressive, a 22 year old singing this amazing song or a 61 year old man singing it so beautifully!
I was 16 when this song was popular, well actually for years. Psychidelic era, Vietnam, MLK murdered. Wild times.
@@virginiaoflaherty2983Same!
@@virginiaoflaherty2983
Wild times, wild drugs, wild lyrics, wild music.
I had the honor of playing the percussion tenor triangle in the orchestra during this performance. Our entire triangle ensemble were thrilled to take part.
FANTASTIC...
Wow, respect to you ❤
Well done you all.
those are EXTRA LYRICS not on the original.
MILLERS make bread , flour maybe beer? Chaucer though.
Sweet ty for your performance :)
I loved this song when it came out and I was in high school . Now in my 70’s hearing it again makes me see how absolutely wonderful it was. I never grows old.
My dear young man, this song came out in 1966. The Orchestral arrangement was added much later. The Hammond B-3 organ was the front and center instrument in the original version. Gary Brookers voice never failed him until the day he died. It remained as phenomenal all through the years. I had the distinct honor to play accompaniment for Gary and Procol Herum when I was concert pianist for the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. Twice at Star Light Theater and twice at the Lyric Opera house. Gary was a good friend, and his passing left a void that will never be filled.
1967 actually. But yes Gary Brooker was a great singer,and with total respect to my favourite man in music he was beginning to struggle with his voice the last couple of times I saw him live shortly before his untimely passing.May the great man rest in peace.
It was a Hammond B102
@@JamesDolen-dn6wz
Hammond M102
@@janethough2600Thank you for the correction.
The great John Lennon kept playing this song over and over when it came out in 1967. I loved The Beatles but when you listen to A Whiter Shade Of Pale with that haunting organ and superb vocals, the song never leaves you. Absolutely brilliant.
I am 72, and this came out when I was in high school. I always loved the music and the voices and never paid much attention to the actual meaning of the words. It was the overall sound I've always loved. The original was not an orchestral version. I liked this version, but the original was so much better.
I agree!! This version is good, but go back to 1967 to be blown away!!
that organ riff in the original is masterful!
DITTO on all you said - but this is lovely. I never knew the reason behind the lyrics even reading them, I never grasped its meaning but LOVE the sound
Agree but FM radio nearly destroyed these songs. This version made me rediscover it. But yeah, the original is a masterpiece of mood.
The original Procol Harum were a great band, with Gary Brooker on piano, Matthew Fisher on the Hammond organ, and Robin Trower on guitar. Although Trower played on their debut, self-titled album, he joined the band after "A whiter Shade of Pale" was already recorded. This concert was almost 40 years later, and Gary Brooker was the only remaining member of the original band. He still had the great voice that made the song a massive hit way back when. So sad that he died in 2022, RIP Gary Brooker.
My husband is 74. He's singing solo at a venue right now. If you sing *very well* -- it doesn't fade away!
'That Her Face at First Just Ghostly, Turned a Whiter Shade of Pale' will forever be one of the greatest lines ever written! Love this song, and this reaction! ❤
I'm 64 and I still get the shivers every time I hear this song. I've literally heard this all my life, and I still get shivers, I swear!
Yes, me too!
His voice makes me cry it's so sublime.
I'm 66, and I'll never get enough of this song. Procol Harum was and always will be one of my favorites.
Both A Whiter Shade of Pale and When A Man Loves a Woman are based on chord progressions from a piece by JS Bach called Air on the G-string ( the string on a violin...) I will link to it below.
ua-cam.com/video/GMkmQlfOJDk/v-deo.htmlsi=oFe1UyW106iJ8Jxm
ua-cam.com/video/kWo31OD0zjw/v-deo.htmlsi=gmafMC3t1IvrEi6C
yep, Classical music was always the root of very good music
There you go again hanging up on the phrase "forced her". Seems to me some of Rap actually rapes women. Keep enjoying music without the political correct stuff. I'm sure no man took advantage of a woman because of this song. Love your videos.
I had heard that the chord progression was from a classical composer but could not remember who. Thank you for the info
Rest in peace Gary - and thank you
“The Miller’s Tale” in “The Canterbury Tales”, by Geoffrey Chaucer was published in 1387. I think it incorporated some of that as well as the songwriters thought that writing a song with abstract lyrics was kind of like painting abstract painting.
“The Miller’s Tale” is basically about an older miller with a young, beautiful wife, and two younger men want to sleep with her. Kind of an angry, drunken rant. A miller is someone who works in a mill and grinds grain into flour.
A lot of the old Europeans surnames came from the occupation of an ancestor. Miller, Taylor, Farmer, Shepherd, Smith, Thatcher, etc.
This song came out about 57 years ago. He was a kid when he sang it with Procol Harum.
One line from Shakespeare, also. Chaucer’s - referring to a carpenter’s tale. Milling also refers to woodworking at times.
Procol Harum is the band, it means "Beyond These Things" in Latin. Gary Brooker is the lead singer.
• The Miller's Tale is a story out of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer in England from 1387-1400. At its most basic, it's the bawdy tale of an old and dull-witted carpenter who is betrayed by his much younger wife. This is the key to the song.
The girl is about to leave the older man ("her face at first just ghostly"). She hears The Miller's Tale and blanches at her own sexual indiscretion ("turned a whiter shade of pale"). She avoids telling him why she's leaving ("there is no reason"), and he's blind to the indiscretion ("although my eyes were open, they may just as well have been closed"). He attempts to reason with her (“I wandered through my playing cards”), and so prevent this young, supposedly faithful lover (“Vestal Virgin”) from leaving him for good ("for the coast").
This is the most literary explanation of the song I've read and given the band and the times, I think the most accurate. Thank you.
Great definition of the lyrics.
Thank you so much for connecting this to Chaucer-filled in the gaps
Whow, without the explanation, one would never guess the true meaning ,great song.
This is almost like an educator's explanation to the students.....thank you so much !
If you haven't heard this one, you are dead.
It is played in movies, commercials, you name it.
One of the most iconic songs in rock.
Never gets old and his voice was so great even in this live performance.
He passed not long after this but the song will live forever.
Thank you for sharing and loving it.
This was in 2006. He died in 2022 16 years after this
RIP Gary Brooker
An absolute British classic,the world has lost this type of music with real quality performers with real music and no auto tune,today's conveyer belt music is lost to me,RIP to Gary the lead vocalist,LEGEND ❤
Worked with teen girls about two decades ago. They thought "back it up, baby" was a love song. Likely wouldn't even grasp real music if they heard it. This song was heartbreaking..
Dude. SHUT UP! you're killing the vibe of the song. It's a flow..you're murdering it
Geeeez..guessing you interrupt intense movies in the theaters, too. Yelling, throwing popcorn...you killed the entire flow, smh. Interrupted the story. Either listen to the music, or give it up.
So glad you are bringing some of the older music back. 60's and 70's music was by far the best ever written. Thank you!
Welcome to the music of the 60's and 70's, pure unadulterated talent, no auto tune, the greatest era of music ever.
Such an Anthem,in the same vain as the Moody Blues "Nights In White Satin."
Im 76 yr and I really don't think "rappers" really know what music is, but I applaud you for seeing the difference. OMG, instruments and pure singing was normal in my experience. Great reaction.
Rappers know more than you think. Many samples are taken from this age of music, as well as jazz and classical music.
I agree!
@katyas-mom I think there is a big difference between "rappers" and those that listen to rap. Those that make the music know how to get the bucks from the listeners. The ones who are actually making the rap music that hits the main stream, are probably quite talented and skilled, but they make their product to make money, not to be useful
@@katyas-mom You may be right, but I grew up in the age of Marvin Gaye, Jerry Butler, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Al Green and Sam Cooke. These people could sing. Almost everyone recognized that these artists knew how to deliver a song about subjects everyone understood. I'll be the first to admit, I don't understand Rap Music, I don't see the talent required to "sample" other people's music as equal to creating it yourself. I rarely understand what the songs are about. I know I'm not the target audience, but anyone can hear a Marvin Gaye song and know that guy could sing.
@@katyas-mom Right... they had to rip-off (sample) other people's work.
Another 57 year old classic that proves it’s timeless ! The dude is singing it live in 2006, 39 years after it was released
And 300+years, after it was composed in Germany by a certain J.S. Bach. It is just one sentence of only 18 bars of his "Orchester Suite Nr 3" and this part was later isolated called "Air over the G string". Procol Harum (I do not remember which of those guys) at one time played it , just how remembered it right out of his head, and made that song out of it, nearly every note is correct to the original. Good , in this case very, very, very good music always stands the change of times
Organist Matthew Fisher wrote the distinctive organ melody which was inspired by Bach’s Sleepers, Awake but was original. Gary Brooker was inspired by Air On A G String but didn’t realize it because he was inspired by a cigar commercial he saw on TV which was in turn inspired by Air On A G String.
May 12, 1967. A Whiter Shade of Pale took the world by storm. Gary Brooker, lead singer, sounds exactly the same in this video (maybe better) as he did as a young lad back in '67. He's certainly a little more seasoned. Unfortunately we lost him to cancer a couple of years ago. But we were so blessed to get this live performance from him before he had to leave us. This song has been covered over a thousand times, and is still an anthem to this day. I was 11 when it hit the airwaves in 1967. Am now 67, and still absolutely LOVE this masterpiece.
I was 15, never forget hearing this in the disco, what a track for a slow dance wow, RIP Garry.
@@robarnold4104 "Slow dance"? What is that?
I’m 78. I remember this as if it were yesterday. Procol Harum was timeless and this piece remains so. Goosebumps, people, goosebumps even today.
This is the original band that put out this masterpiece. I think in the late 60s! Back when artists took the time for the music. It is a classic rock band and they were invited to sing along with this orchestra in Denmark. Good music never gets old! This is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Good choice! Great job...
The man was 61 years old when he sung this. Sounded better than he did in 1967 when he originally recorded the song.
My childhood from the 60’s just flowed over me in a wave of sun filled innocence just hearing this… 😄
I was born in 1962 and just turned 62, I had the privilege of growing up when the best music that's ever been created was performed. All pure talent from back then.
Snap. Us 1962ers all turn 62 this year. Talent indeed.
I agree. I was born in 1959
I can relate, I also was born in 1962 and was privileged and fortunate to grow up listening to high quality music like this! I always loved this song ❤❤❤
"As the Miller told his tale", that is taken from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer about a group of people on a pilgrimage to Canterbury in the 1300s. The song is about self-destruction, which is what the Miller's tale was about. The Miller was self-destructive because he was always drinking and fighting and it cost him a lot.
Thanks, you saved me the trouble!
Everyone has their own unique interpretations of the song, because of references to Canterbury Tales. Gary said in an interview that he was in a bar and tried to pick a woman up, but she left with her friends. So, he used the line "One of sixteen vestal virgins leaving from the shore". He said the whole song was that he struck out, and he remember how beautiful the woman was. he said there is no hidden meaning in the words.
@@stevencarter1793 Have you read The Canterbury Tales? The Miller is a central figure.
@@stevencarter1793 I'm happy to know about the "Canterbury Tales". But I think this is simply a love song, from a young man "hipnotized" by a woman who he couldn't be able to be with. A romantic love song, full of emotional charge. All the other "images" sounds like allegories for me, specially "as the Miller told his tales", for example. Lyrics are like this some times. They can have some distortions, and not exactly every word/sentence has to be precisely explained. Sometimes the composer gets confused himself.
“Conquistador” from this same concert is pure 🔥
Rolling stone said that this was one of the best songs ever recorded.
They are right. ☺️
this is THE favourite song of many of the greatest musicians to ever live. Thats gotta mean something
Truth
Peter Frampton called it the "perfect song."
Just don't ask Rolling Stone anything about the greatest guitarists of all time, lol!!
The studio version of this song from 1967 was great but this live version is stupendous as it is enriched due to the orchestra and choir. Gary's voice aged like a fine wine. R.I.P. Gary.
1. this sounds familiar because it is based on a classical piece of music by Johann Sebastian Bach ... the music you hear before he starts to sing is by Bach.
2. the original song did not use orchestra or choir but just the band. Gary Brooker, the vocalist and piano player, wrote the whole orchestra and choir arrangement himself.
3. the original song is a true classic released in May 1967, 14 days before The Beatles released their seminal album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band ... this song by Procol Harum and the Beatles album were part of the soundtrack for that Summer Of Love.
No the arrangement at the beginning is not Bach, it's just a beautiful modern arrangement based on the song. That Bach allusion is a bit lazy, its a very very common chord progression used all over the place. having said this Proocl harum made it into one of the best ever songs. Listen to the 1967 original single. The atmosphere on it is amazing.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. 🥰 This performance is my favorite!
I can't even listen to any other version knowing this one exists!
1970s music and talent songwriters and singers/ was on the radio and on albums then. look them up and enjoy. They are from UK
The late great John Lennon, who himself was an exceptional writer, said Whiter Shade of Pale is the greatest song ever written!
Paul said it was the greatest song of the sixties.
One of the great, *great* songs of the 1960s... and he could still sing it *strong* , all these years later!
He passed a few months after this performance. This song hits hard. My sworn promise to a club brother is if he goes before me, I'll sing this at his funeral. If you listen to any earlier recording you'll notice his voice did not change with age. Instead it got deeper and soulfull. This is one of those songs that will never disappear. If your parents grew up in the 60's and 70's on mainland US, this song is in their hearts.
He passed in 2022... this was years 16 before then .
Incredible voice and legendary artist.
Oh I didn’t realize he passed. Thanks for the info!
I'm afraid your information is incorrect. This was recorded live in Denmark back in 2006. While Gary Brooker did pass, it was nearly sixteen years after this beautiful performance was done. Brooker died of cancer at the age of 76 in February, 2022. Perhaps you are confusing him with someone else?
I suppose it matters not, it was a loss any way you look at it. However at least he had those additional sixteen years although I'm sure he would have wished for more. Just as many of us would.
He passed away 16 YEARS after this performance
Gary Brookers voice aged very well.
Gary Brooker is one of the most underrated British singers out there. Or was - RIP.
I don't think they were under-rated. I am from that era and every one I knew had great respect for Procol Harum. They just didn't put out a lot of stuff that could break into radio play
60s 70s music was the BEST soundtrack to grow up with ❤
They are preforming this about 50 years after recording it! RIP Gary! Isn't this magical???
We have a radio station in the UK for the Boomers generation, and in each of the last three years this has been voted the greatest ever single.
John Lennon said this was the song he wished he had written.
@@maxineshaw9996 Praise indeed!
I believe that this is one of the most played singles of all time.
Have you any idea of the station number, I have a wifi world radio and would love to hear all the music, as an expat from Scotland now in Australia for 50yrs... thanks in advance 👍
Conquistador is another one of their songs that absolutely rocks.
Yes! My personal favorite.
Yes, love that song.
Loved the whole Salty Dog LP. An LP was set up to be listened to from beginning to end IMO
I love this song 🎵. This was 🔥🔥🔥. Great reaction.❤
You can't beat rock and symphony together.
One of my favourite song ever ! Epic...
it was a 1967 hit I would have been 7 when he came out with it. it was a british band. It had to be in a movie.
Go back to see Gary and his band only perform this ( the original version )way back in 1967. It s on You Tube. You just saw him perform it almost 40 years later. Both versions are excellent. Prbly my favorite song ever. I first heard it in my last year in high school in 1967. A true Classic.
It's 1 year older than me. I heard it a lot during my 55 years. I love 60s, 70s and 80s music. I like rock, pop, R&B and country from those three decades. It's songs from my youth.
As many times as I heard this song, I never really listened to the lyrics. The music is what intrigued me most. This is like hearing it for the first time. It's pretty wild. I'm glad I got to hear the lyrics for the first time, even if I heard it all my life.
I was born in '67. My brother got back from Nam in the summer of 71. One day, I was listening to some 'bubble gum' music.... he said "oh no! No baby sister of mine is going to listen to that! You're gonna learn all the cool music!!"
We drove to the levee, he stuck in an 8 track, lane our seats back.... and jammed to the tunes!!
(Looking back, I think he always dropped a hit of acid before we threw the seats back😂)
This song always reminds me of him❤
RIP POOLTABLE❤❤❤
So the key to the Miller's Tale is that it's about an unfaithful wife. The line "her face at first just ghostly turned a whiter shade of pale" suggests that this tale may hit close to home... BRILLIANT! That's straight from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".
Only it isn't, Keith Reid never read Chaucer.
@@doomhunter697 There's got to be a tie in elsewhere, because the combination of that and the fact that the "she" could not be one of the vestal virgins is too strong a correlation to be coincidence. The likelihood of just the face going pale is extraordinarily unlikely to be a random throwaway line that happens to fit with the thematic implications of the story of the Miller's Tale. I would say that it becomes orders of magnitude more unlikely for that same random throwaway line that fits with the thematic implications of the Miller's Tale as well as the implication that she cannot be one of the vestal virgins. It's also too clever for me to have made it up. So I'm not sure what happened. I'm not lecturing you, BTW. I'm pretty baked and love talking about this stuff. Cheers!
You are quite correct learned fellow.
@@simontemplar3359 The title he picked up from a random comment at a party. The rest is either coincidence or things he picked up just from being around others who have read it, but he insisted as far as he knew, he never read it.
I always thought it said and the mirror told it's tale as if someone is looking at there own reflection in the mirror as if it's telling 0ne it's own truth I'm going with my version what I thought I find it more endearing and appealing to me absolute classic
John Lennon had a record player installed in his Rolls Royce. He played this song over and over. It was John Lennon's favorite song in the 60's
Why does this song peirce my heart ❤ every Single time I listen to it 😢
Yeah, tore me up 😢
When your reaction is what the fffff I finish out your word with What the Fantastic and that’s only one of the Great wonderful amazing words that can describe him and his voice and performance. My generation had the very best music ❤❤❤
This still brings tears to my eyes, ever since Procol Harum began. Damn. Thanks for this.
From Wikipedia: Procol Harum (/ˈproʊkəl ˈhɑːrəm/) were an English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies.[4] Although noted for their baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music is described as psychedelic rock and proto-prog with hints of the blues, R&B, and soul. When you do the math (2006-1967) you can see that even after 39 yrs the singer, Gary Brooker, SITLL HAS THE CHOPS! Amazing performance and I'm glad you were able to experience it. Keep it up BP, you are the finest kind! PS: Gary passed in 2022 at the age of 78.... RIP to a great performer.
You arn't wrong @blackpegasus. The voice does change with age; many artists lose their voices over time especially if they don't practice good vocal health. Seeing anyone belt like this in their golden years is just hard proof they never stopped DOING the damn thing. It's just very unusual to have a voice like that at that age without going the extra mile in training and healthy vocal habits (especially if they are still performing/touring) Kind of the same way pro athletes having to train WAY harder to stay at the same level then their younger selves.
Covered in goosebumps listening to this. One of my favorites...
I've listened to several of these "1st Time Reactions" I'm always astonished to hear so many are not familiar with this iconic song. RIP Gary Brooker
He is incredible..right? Love love your reaction....discovering music from the past is awesome!!
I’m 72. Still brings tears to my eyes when I hear this hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. We had the best music!
That Hammond organ is everything. We had one in our living room, growing up. Mom played. RIP Gary Brooker. If you consistently use your vocal abilities as you age, you can maintain it. You should try listening to Tom Jones. He was an Elvis contemporary. They would weekly alternate Vegas residency. Tom is a judge on UK The Voice. Well into his 80s now, he has performed randomly on The Voice with a variety of singers, and contestants.
Just a side note on Hammond organs used by bands in the 50s, 60s, 70s, they were an integral part of the "sound" that helped make those bands great. All instrument brands have their own distinguishing characteristics, Hammond organs no exception. A Steinway piano sounds differently from a Kawai; a Gibson guitar is different than a Martin. Even a Harley motorcycle has its own distinguishing sound compared to any other bike. Hammond and Wurlitzer. Hammond, during the times of these bands, seems to be the preferred organ for many many bands. In Whiter Shade of Pale, I believe the organ helped seal the identity of this song decade after decade.
This performance still gives me goose bumps....I was in high school when this came out.
Thanks for your critique of the song . I have loved this song for at least 45 years . Please check out the original recordings from 1967. This version is awesome , much power from the Orchestra .
I’ve always loved this song. But now that you’ve heard this version you should go back and listen to him sing it in the original 60s version. It’s amazing how great his voice is. The 60s had a lot of very poetic music that’s not always easy to understand.
This song is pure 1967! Cryptic lyrics, organ, trippy.❤ love every note!
Hey mate, I love that you covered Procol Harum. I actually got to see the lead singer and musical songwriter, Gary Brooker, in March 2000, in Wollongong Australia. He came onto the stage, then some fuckwit yelled out get off the stage you old man! I was horrified. But the crowd didn't know Gary Brooker's name. As soon as he started playing, 'A Salty Dog', 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', and then Conquistador', the crowd recognised Gary Brooker as Procol Harum! Then the crowd roared! I was a teenager when I saw Gary. I am very grateful to have seen him, as he died in 2022. His voice was exactly as it was on the original recordings from 1967 onwards. This is the best Live performance with an orchestra I've ever seen/heard of Procol. HOu chose the best. Cheers from AUS.
Love this. I'm 77 and this was my Era. 60's n 70's best music ever.
Love seeing a younger person loving this for the first time ...i am proud
I've always loved this song.. I've always heard the original, but this is just beautiful...
I was 11 when this song came out in 1967,loved it then love now. RIP Gary Brooker,his voice was beautiful.
I was 10 😊
Great reaction, his voice is still great in this 2006 performance. Saw Procol Harum open for Ten Years After live in 1972. The song was a hit in 1967🤯💓💗
Brings me back to 1967, when I first heard this song during my teenage years. ❤❤❤
I am so glad I grew up with this music as a kid and young adult...I am almost 72 years, old now. Their voices were real and authentic.
"Although my eyes were open, they'd might aswell been closed" gets me everytime. Thinking of so many young men going to war and never returning.
That is what that song was about, all the young men going for the Vietnam war , but many people did not understand the lyrics and even now lots of people are still confused about it.
But when you know and listen carefully, he was talking about the boys on the ship leaving for war
I am now nearly 76 years old and still get shivers when I hear that song, it was so profond and sad..
Such a beautiful song. This is a classic. I think you probably have heard it, that's why it's so familiar. The original came out in 1967....same guy
Sometimes it's hard to get a straight out explanation for the words written in songs from the 60's and 70's. These were highly influenced by psychedelics and love of poetry, words flowing and music. There are usually things you can pick out of the songs that come together for you like the commenter below who explains about the Fandango being a Spanish dance and the "Millers Tale" from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, but having never read this myself, I couldn't give you an answer. Growing up in the 60's and 70's my love of music always overcame the confusion some of these songs led to. : ) And we were all sort of attuned to this sort of thing simply by being a part of that social "experiment" of drug use and intense music.
In this performance, Gary Brooker topped his already perfect song. I very much appreciate other videos by Procol Harum, you may enjoy them yourself......Congratulations ugadawgs1990. Wow!
So fantastic. Welcome BP to our music. Rock and orchestra just like the Moodies. We had the best music not auto tune, no junk
i am 73 and i never regret this time ......led zp rolling stones deep purple black Sabah and all the other who have make the most important music in the world
im in my 50s and also listen that kind of music and love it.. Led Zeppeling Kashmir is one of my favs..
A miller is a person who operates a mill, a machine to grind a grain (for example corn or wheat) to make flour.
I am 75 ,this song came out in 1967,its a classic.We list Gary Brooket 2 years ago,he was a genius
I get chills every time I hear this version it is amazing RIP Gary
You guys could learn a lot by listening to some of these classic songs. Real music. Without these guys your "music" would not exist.
Gary was 22 when he wrote and released this. At this performance he was 61-62 years young. Still could belt it out. He is from London. Procol Harum and the Moody Blues were not afraid to use an orchestra in their songs.
The musical influences comes from Percy Sledges "When a man loves a woman" and from classical music by Sebastian Bach (suite no. 3 d-dur) Baroque period.
So yes this is very familiar because we did hear parts from this before.
I love what Procol Harum did here and this style is called Baroque Pop. Great that you enjoyed it.
Greetings from Germany 🎶
Percy Sledge covered this song
@@BrokenLady67 when a man loves a woman from Percy Sledge was released in 1966 - a whiter shade of pale was released in 1967.
@@pippavombr5856 I know that, Percy Sledge done a cover of this.
You should listen to the original version, too. Gary’s voice just got better with age!
Man, it´s incredible A whiter Shade of Pale... greetings...
BOOM!!!! LOVE this song!!!! We had a LOT of great bands back in the day!!!
I am 71 years old and this is the first time I've seen your video's. So many of the younger and middle aged people who are surprised to hear the music I grew up with. Glad you liked it. I'm glad to be a new subscriber to your channel. Thanks!
I danced for the first time in a Night Club to this song...will never forget it...quite an event for an 18 year old raised in a small town. I am 70 now.
Beautiful memory to have.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. I'm only 37 but when songs are this beautiful they are just timeless.
Check out their song Conquistador, it’s awesome, too.
😂one of my favorite songs. Sorry to say, but we lost Gary in 2022. Loved his voice. Thanks for reacting to this
My first slow dance. 8th grade. Wonderful memory from 1968.
Thank you for appreciating a song from my teenage years. This came out in 1967 originally. I cannot describe the impact when it came out, and how it absolutely knocked everyone sideways on first hearing. They did not use the second verse on the single.
No cheat machines for This Band .. TALENT
So glad I grew up with this music. Loved this song!
Love the look on your face when you hear these old songs.