B J Wilson passed away without, I think, ever really knowing how truly appreciated he was. That this recognition was so long in coming is criminal. His talent is staggering. For a drummer in a band that was, for want of a more suitable term, a rock and roll band his responsibilities were large and he was always equal to the task! Owner of a powerful left wrist and a wicked sense of syncopation he was one of a kind. Cheers!
I couldn't agree more. This guy was totally underrated. Just listen to the cowbell on "Whiskey Train" or the fills on "Simple Sister." He was as good as it gets.
Well said, my friend. Indeed, he was everything you’ve stated. His artistry grounds and punctuates everything Procol Harum did. Truly one of a kind, and we will always love him.
Just listen to him on "Nothing That I Didn't Know"! So tasteful, so distinctive, such perfect balance of power and restraint! Such an underrated giant.
BJ Wilson was an inimitable drummer and a really wonderful person. Fortunate to have been around him a bit....a prince. He and the whole band sound incredible on this live radio program....wow.
Love the early band and material...saw this version in 1971 in Philly...and caught the band in 1969 at the AC Pop Festival... same lineup but with Matthew Fisher on B3.....should be in the HOF...disgrace that they are not yet in....
Saw them in 71 with this same lineup, blew me away! Such amazing talent: so glad I got to see Robin and BJ playing together. Never get tired of listening to PH all these years later.
Alas, I saw them in October 71 with a new guitarist. Not quite the same! Especially, since I brought my copy to the concert to get autographs on the cover. Well, I did get them - but not Robin Trower's (but Keith Reid's on the back)
Seen Procol Harum headlining with this tour/lineup in 1971 at Detroit's Eastown Theatre. Unfortunately, the J.Geils Band was the backing band before Harum and was starting to upstage everyone in their path. The lads roadies took their sweet time setting up their equipment, so the revved-up crowd could settle down. Brooker announced that it was going to be a hard act to follow, but we're going to give You your money's worth. They did exactly that!!! All in all, that was one Helluva night, if i remember correctly, Trapeze was the kick-off band also. If You compare the J.Geils live 1972 and this NYC recording, you'll see the difference. Tickets were $4.50 And for You guitar fReAkS, Fripp protege' was using a red Gibson SG. Don't remember if it was a LP/SG? But Trower mentioned he used a 1968 SG on 'Shine on Brightly' album. ua-cam.com/video/Mq79uJ58eAM/v-deo.html >>J.Geils Live 1972 ua-cam.com/video/yoFY7ZkVlj8/v-deo.html >>Trapeze Live 1972
@@dennymcfastlane8530 I saw them in April '71 in Philadelphia, and they followed Emerson, Lake, and Palmer without any problem. Both bands were astonishing.
what a sensational band they are. They always have sounded amazing live, unlike alot of others, who cannot reproduce the record sound live! Always have loved Procol Harum and always will!
Wow, I was a 16 year old kid listening to this on my radio at home in NYC. I still remember Gary's puns and Robin's fantastic guitar. Thanks for this fantastic concert.
Brokin Barracades is my favorite PH album..i dont have this record so to speak only what i recorded on you tube which because of it being compressed it wouldn't compare to the album... i will find it soon enough and i'm sure it will cost me ..but i dont care.. it'll be worth it ..and this live recording is awesome
i saw Procol Harum in concert at the Spectrum in Philadephia just 3 days after this PLJ recording was done. They appeared with TRex and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Probably the best concert I ever attended.
Listening to this confirms that PH were one of the great live bands of all time. How they are not in the RRHOF is astonishing. But, KISS is in. Jan Wenner has some 'splaining to do.
Mitchell Schwartz - Rock and roll hall of fame "tries" nice . but they take years to get back to people. Even If any artist has written genius stuff like this. PH deserve recognition and accolades. Not some baseball trophy from Hollywood.
Tupac who is not rock + roller whose work is unlistenable is in the R+R Hall of Fame - but not Procol. This is a travesty, but it speaks to the idiots that decide who to admit. An abomination. As my friend, Barrie, would say, "Rubbish".
Saw Robin Trower in concert a couple of weeks ago. It was fantastic. He hasn't lost anything. Fun to return to the roots and thoroughly enjoy this :-))
Speaking of the greatest of Procol Harum as a band is one thing...how about the amazing melody/chords Gary created to Keith's lyrics. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!! No other songwriting duo is comparable.
You can tell where he was going especially after "Broken Barricades," he definitely had that groove, soul/blues thing going on with his guitar playing. The rest is history with all the albums he put out,,, "Twice Removed," "Bridge of Sighs," "For Earth Below," "Long Misty Days," "Live," etc.... I had them all on vinyl by the time I was 16 or 17! "Caledonia" is my favorite Trower song, "Simple Sister" and "Conquistador" are my favorite Procol Harum songs. Rock on Trower!!!!
@@karlfisher1864 In the 90s, Trower would stop by Seattle every year, I saw him 4 times. Once I had 2nd row seats, right up front basically. I think I wore all my Trower albums since he was one of my first guitar heroes.
Wow, thanks for adding this. I am a huge Trower fan and never knew too much of PH's material. I went on a "Rock and Blues Cruise" a few weeks back and caught PC Twice. Absolutely blown away. Can't believe I missed them. I've gone back to their early catalog since the trip trying to hear all the Trower era stuff. Seeing Robin in 2 weeks. This 1971 concert is really special as at the moment I'm on a Trower PH Binge. Interesting to see where he was headed at that time. By the way, the current PH guitar player, Geoff Whitehorn, is the best player I'd not heard of. So tasteful with his tone and playing. He and the current version of PH have a lot on UA-cam worth checking out.
I saw them in the time frame from '72 to 74 in San Antonio. Trower must have been there. A good time was had by all. It might have been with Ten Years After. It was awesome! K
memorial drive 0:06 still there'll be more 3:34 nothing that i didn't know 9:10 simple sister 12:51 luskus delph 16:32 shine on brightly 20:20 whaling stories 24:51 broken barricades 34:59 juicy john pink 37:59 a salty dog 42:00 whisky train 47:02 power failure 52:17
Sis & her friends turned me on to Procol Harum right from the start, in 1967. All of us have shared a lifetime love affair with them. We were all sorry to see Matthew leave, followed by the incomparable Robin Trower. Well, "stiil there was more," & more, & each incarnation evolved with ever greater musical genius. That Gary sounds just as phenomenal today, after all these years is, "something magic." We traveled near & far to see them, again, & again. Once Covid allows touring & concert going, where medical safety isn't jeopardized, we'll be there to see Gary & the boys. Simply put, no band of any era has approached the sophistication both musically & lyrically as the incredible Procol Harum. Robin Trower is the equal of Clapton, Page, or any other guitarist not named Jimi Hendrix. The late, great Barrie Wilson should be enshrined upon the mountain top of all-time great drummers. Keith's lyrics are admired by music historians the world over. And, Gary Brooker, the only remaining member of the original band has a mesmerizing voice as he rewards us with piano mastery, his range of compositions all encompassing. They are like no other, they defined Progressive Rock, ... Full concerts with a symphony orchestra & chorus, mixed with British Blues, Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, & JS Bach, tossing in a Strauss Waltz now & then. I hate the word because it's so overused, nevertheless, it truly describes the entirety of a Procol Harum experience, ... "Amazing!!"
In one word.. WOW!.. the audio is super-clean.. I saw them perform almost the exact same set with the same line-up at The Fillmore West in late 1970.. sitting on the floor, twenty feet from the stage, stoned out of my mind.. I was twenty-one.. I wish that show had been filmed or at least recorded professionally, but it wasn't.. Trower left after "Broken Barricades".. he's almost seventy and still records, performs, and tours.. Why wasn't this released as a commerciak / retail album?.. Fer cryin' out loud, I've almost worn out the .mp3, I've played it so maty times.. Thanks so much for uploading this..
I also saw them at the Fillmore that week. (Bands typically had a 4-night run, as I recall.) It was Halloween night, and there was fittingly a jack-o-lantern sitting atop the piano! It was the perfect night for the spooky songs from the "Home" album (their peak, in my opinion). "Whaling Stories" was awesome! Shortly after this, another memorable show at the Fillmore, I saw Elton John open for the Kinks. This was just before his "11-17-70" live recording, and he never sounded that good again.
@@ElectricEarldotcom Seen Procol Harum at Detroit's Eastown Theatre. This was the same tour as from this live radio broadcast. Unfortunately, the boys had to follow the unbelievably up and coming, J. Geils. Geils band blew the roof off that old vaudeville theatre, and it wasn't long after these performances, that no one wanted to follow them. They went to headliner status toot~sweet. But, back to Procol, i can remember the roadies taking longer to set~up their equipment, as to settle down the frenzied crowd. After a couple of songs, Procol Harum were in the groove and everyone was getting into them. You're right about Elton also, ironically i seen him on Halloween also, at the Eastown, and he had a huge Pumpkin on his piano. Man~o~chevis, those were the daze, & we thought they'd never end...But they did Dammit!!! R()ck () bro.
Hey Brett F Brilliant! Thanks for sharing such an incredible treasure recording of one of the most innovative, talented and intellectually oriented bands in history. Got to be some of the most inspired and inspiring lyric writing songwriter of all time too. And listen to young Robin Trower -- such dazzling tone without today's boxes and oozing taste/style just a year or so after Jimi passed on. Shine on brightly!
Trower has such a killer finger vibrato. I latched onto this as a kid (because I couldn't play that fast Alvin Lee stuff) and I'm so grateful. I use it to this day.
Set list: 1 Memorial Drive 2 Still There'll be more 3 Nothing that I didn't know 4 Simple Sister 5 Luskus Delph 6 Shine On Brightly 7 Whaling Stories 8 Broken Barricades 9 Juicy John Pink 10 A Salty Dog 11 Whiskey Train 12 Power Failure
I've just now found this amazing recording. Thank you so much for putting it on here. One of the best live recordings of Procol Harum I've ever heard. Juicy John Pink. WOW!
By the time I saw Procol Harum in concert here in Edmonton,Alberta,Canada at the Jubilee Auditorium on November 18, 1971 Robin Trower had already left and been replaced by Dave Ball. Yes I was really there at the concert among the audience of 3,000 and I still have the ticket stub and concert program to prove it. Dave Ball was excellent on lead guitar during the concert recording. The live album with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was issued worldwide in 1972. Next thing we knew Robin Trower released Bridge Of Sighs. Long live Procol Harum's music. Procol Harum -Whiskey Train (1970) ua-cam.com/video/NZoN0-OyqQQ/v-deo.html
Shame they couldn't pull off the album version of "Simple Sister" during this show, but it would've taken at least six pianos, horns, strings, a choir and more to pull off all the layering that Chris Thomas so masterfully mixed for "Broken Barricades".. (with NO computers).. listen to the version of the song on that album and you'll see (hear) what I'm talking about..
Thanks for sharing this great qualiry recording. Being a drummer I, of course, love B.J. Wilsons unique drumming enriching every Procol tune. But Chris Copping on organ is also great...
I saw this band at the Depot Mpls. ( 1st Ave. ) in 71 Robin was using Strats already though he had a SG Standard Back up. Hiwatt Dr 100 amp 2 4x12 Hiwatt cabs.
Nice to hear the cleaned-up sound. I wish that this had been the live album, instead of the "Edmonton Symphony" thing. This show how much more relaxed the group was in a more intimate setting. I saw them in Minneapolis during the spring of '71 tour. Still ranks as the best rock concert I ever witnessed. Trower and Wilson both in top form, and that's what made this group special, a great guitarist and drummer.
Their best live album is 2006 w/ the Danish Concert Orchestra and Choir from Ledreborg - Denmark. Great video too. A few thousand Danes sitting on a beautiful lawn with a couple little canals running through, the king's castle up on a hill and Procol Harum and a full orchestra and choir under a huge tent.
Saw this same line up at The Lambertville (NJ) Music Circus in summer of '70 (I think, haha!). It was "in the round".Incredible memory. Robin Trower blew my mind on "Whaling Stories" and I never recovered!
Thank you for sharing. This is sweet, like much of the music from this ten year or so period. Never saw PH live. And although I bought Salty dog when I was 14 or 15. None of my friends appreciated them. That didn't matter to me and the three or four friends that I was really tight with. And even though Robin Trower went on to a short lived super star status when Bridge of Sighs came out. it took me years to discover that ''the fantastic blues guitarist'' with PH was in fact Trower. It were as though he had an alter ego. His solo work and style did not appear similar to his wok with PH. It blew me away when I first found out! I saw Trower in Baltimore, Maryland when he was touring for Bridge of Sighs. Sadly it looked as though the local heroin had done him in. As it has thousands before him for last hundred years or so. And the show was really terrible. I wish I could lie and say his performance was extraordinary. But it wasn't, it was sad. And now I am rediscovering Procul Harum. I appreciate them as a group far more than the short lived romance many of us had with Bridge of Sighs. On the other hand. Bridge of Sighs we said was a novelty LP. Each side like one long thirty minute song. Long enough to get totally toasted on Rocket Fuel. Those were good days. And they are over. These are the days now. May they last forever and a day. Peace.Peace.Peace.
Can't do much but echo the other comments (I also had a bootleg where BJ's drums sounded like they had been recorded underwater-really bad.) The RRHOF thing is a joke with no laugh.
No recuerdo exactamente el año entre 1970 o 1971, vinieron a México y dieron un gran concierto inolvidable en el Auditorio Nacional nunca se me olvidará ya que en ese tiempo estaban muy restringidos conciertos de rock de esta magnitud.
I saw them perform much of this same set at Pittsburgh's Stanley Theatre 4/27/71. ELP and Rustix were there opening acts. I still have a playable mono cassette I made of this concert. When did Robin Trower leave? Could I have one of his final recordings?
How is that guitar solo on "Simple Sister"! Chilling ... so appropriate to the song ... its a very short version of a song that would be great to rock out on ... the album version is great. Procol have had some good guitarists since but no one like Trower ... Truly unique.
This was the experimental 4-piece lineup, but Robin was not a bassist and they went right back to a dedicated bassist. There's Robin playing bass on the few tunes where there's no real guitar parts, then switching back to guitar. It's asking too much of anyone to have to switch instruments during a set. And Chris played bass on his left hand on a few songs - again, it's never going to work,, and Procul hired a bassist right after this tour.
Yes, Procol-era Trower is my favorite Trower. He was developing his own distinctive vocabulary of slides and hammer-ons (Simple Sister a good example) that set him apart from others as he outgrew the BBKing-isms he and many other 2nd-wave blues guitarists cut their teeth on. He continued and expanded that style into his solo era but - for my money - I just prefer hearing him on a Les Paul thru a Marshall amp. I've dug all over the internet and keep a file on his Procol-era gear, such as all the Gibsons and Gretsches he used and his progression thru Selmer and Marshall amps. And he had much of his feral, snarling attack and wrist vibrato from early on, the best example being Cerdes - try this link ua-cam.com/video/MiNU22nLf48/v-deo.html
? Robin's solo career has been absolutely great to the point that I'm glad he left PH. He has shown himself more accomplished than the standard household names (like Clapton) who endlessly bullshit about music but haven't produced near a body of work as Robin's and seem to be famous for their indiscretions as much or more than their music.
tracklist: 1. Memorial Drive 2. Still There'll Be more 3. Nothing That I Didn't Know 4. Simple Sister 5. Luskus Delph 6. Shine On Brightly 7. Whaling Stories 8. Broken Barricades 9. Juicy John Pink 10. A Salty Dog 11. Whiskey Train 12. Power Failure Recorded in April, 1971
Interesting to see Keith Reid included in the photos. Met him in Hollywood 1974. He said he was working on a movie soundtrack. ..Never knew which one. Is he still around ???Thanks for a Great post..
B J Wilson passed away without, I think, ever really knowing how truly appreciated he was. That this recognition was so long in coming is criminal. His talent is staggering. For a drummer in a band that was, for want of a more suitable term, a rock and roll band his responsibilities were large and he was always equal to the task! Owner of a powerful left wrist and a wicked sense of syncopation he was one of a kind. Cheers!
Fabulous
I didn't know he died ....great drummer.....
I couldn't agree more. This guy was totally underrated. Just listen to the cowbell on "Whiskey Train" or the fills on "Simple Sister." He was as good as it gets.
Well said, my friend. Indeed, he was everything you’ve stated. His artistry grounds and punctuates everything Procol Harum did. Truly one of a kind, and we will always love him.
Just listen to him on "Nothing That I Didn't Know"! So tasteful, so distinctive, such perfect balance of power and restraint! Such an underrated giant.
BJ Wilson on "Power Failure" here has to be the most dazzling rock drum solo I have ever heard. The cowbell alone! What a master.
BJ Wilson was an inimitable drummer and a really wonderful person. Fortunate to have been around him a bit....a prince. He and the whole band sound incredible on this live radio program....wow.
I'm stunned by this performance....and the recording is stellar.
And the looks are like those of a prince😭
My favorite band of all time! The greatest singer and piano player AND the greatest drummer ever! The other guys ain't too bad either! 🤣🤣🤣
Some of the greatest music of its time. Puts so much of what was around it to shame. Creativity and inventiveness at its apotheosis.
Love the early band and material...saw this version in 1971 in Philly...and caught the band in 1969 at the AC Pop Festival... same lineup but with Matthew Fisher on B3.....should be in the HOF...disgrace that they are not yet in....
Saw them in 71 with this same lineup, blew me away! Such amazing talent: so glad I got to see Robin and BJ playing together. Never get tired of listening to PH all these years later.
Alas, I saw them in October 71 with a new guitarist. Not quite the same! Especially, since I brought my copy to the concert to get autographs on the cover. Well, I did get them - but not Robin Trower's (but Keith Reid's on the back)
Seen Procol Harum headlining with this tour/lineup in 1971 at Detroit's Eastown Theatre. Unfortunately, the J.Geils Band was the backing band before Harum and was starting to upstage everyone in their path. The lads roadies took their sweet time setting up their equipment, so the revved-up crowd could settle down. Brooker announced that it was going to be a hard act to follow, but we're going to give You your money's worth. They did exactly that!!! All in all, that was one Helluva night, if i remember correctly, Trapeze was the kick-off band also. If You compare the J.Geils live 1972 and this NYC recording, you'll see the difference. Tickets were $4.50
And for You guitar fReAkS, Fripp protege' was using a red Gibson SG. Don't remember if it was a LP/SG? But Trower mentioned he used a 1968 SG on 'Shine on Brightly' album.
ua-cam.com/video/Mq79uJ58eAM/v-deo.html >>J.Geils Live 1972
ua-cam.com/video/yoFY7ZkVlj8/v-deo.html >>Trapeze Live 1972
@@dennymcfastlane8530 I saw them in April '71 in Philadelphia, and they followed Emerson, Lake, and Palmer without any problem. Both bands were astonishing.
great band deserve more historical recognition
what a sensational band they are. They always have sounded amazing live, unlike alot of others, who cannot reproduce the record sound live! Always have loved Procol Harum and always will!
Excellent drumming!!! B.J. Wilson the best drummer ever!!
Definitely one of THE best, for sure...Clive Bunker, from first two Jethro Tull LPs, also another unrated master...
And to think, Trower was nearly united with Clive Bunker in a band called "Jude", with Frankie Miller. I'd like to have heard what they sounded like.
And a great gentleman!!!!!!!
BJ was the first choice for Led Zeppelin, how weird is that? One of the great "what if?" in RR History.
Peter Short> First 4 albums! Otherwise, I agree with you!
This is gold!!!!!
Wow, I was a 16 year old kid listening to this on my radio at home in NYC. I still remember Gary's puns and Robin's fantastic guitar. Thanks for this fantastic concert.
50 years ago! My favourite drummer B J Wilson at his best!
Brokin Barracades is my favorite PH album..i dont have this record so to speak only what i recorded on you tube which because of it being compressed it wouldn't compare to the album... i will find it soon enough and i'm sure it will cost me ..but i dont care.. it'll be worth it ..and this live recording is awesome
i saw Procol Harum in concert at the Spectrum in Philadephia just 3 days after this PLJ recording was done. They appeared with TRex and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Probably the best concert I ever attended.
Listening to this confirms that PH were one of the great live bands of all time. How they are not in the RRHOF is astonishing. But, KISS is in. Jan Wenner has some 'splaining to do.
Face it, that "rock and roll" hall of fame is just a payola hall of shame, with a several exceptions.
The RRHoF is a lame, sick, meaningless joke.. The Moody Blues aren't in it either..
Mitchell Schwartz - Rock and roll hall of fame "tries" nice . but they take years to get back to people. Even If any artist has written genius stuff like this. PH deserve recognition and accolades. Not some baseball trophy from Hollywood.
+Mitchell Schwartz The Rock and Roll Hall of Shame is just complete crap.
Tupac who is not rock + roller whose work is unlistenable is in the R+R Hall of Fame - but not Procol. This is a travesty, but it speaks to the idiots that decide who to admit. An abomination. As my friend, Barrie, would say, "Rubbish".
Robin Trower became one of the worlds most incredible guitarists . Listen to him on You Tube at 1975 Winterland Concert 🏆
Saw Robin Trower in concert a couple of weeks ago. It was fantastic. He hasn't lost anything. Fun to return to the roots and thoroughly enjoy this :-))
Speaking of the greatest of Procol Harum as a band is one thing...how about the amazing melody/chords Gary created to Keith's lyrics. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!! No other songwriting duo is comparable.
omg Procol Harum live w/ Trower still their guitar player? thank you brettghansen!
damm i miss this music..
You can tell where he was going especially after "Broken Barricades," he definitely had that groove, soul/blues thing going on with his guitar playing. The rest is history with all the albums he put out,,, "Twice Removed," "Bridge of Sighs," "For Earth Below," "Long Misty Days," "Live," etc.... I had them all on vinyl by the time I was 16 or 17! "Caledonia" is my favorite Trower song, "Simple Sister" and "Conquistador" are my favorite Procol Harum songs. Rock on Trower!!!!
Have another look at Song For a Dreamer on Broken Barricades, an all time fave of mine. I'm excited about Caledonia too!
Love their A&M albums "Broken Barricades" & Live with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra".
@@karlfisher1864 In the 90s, Trower would stop by Seattle every year, I saw him 4 times. Once I had 2nd row seats, right up front basically. I think I wore all my Trower albums since he was one of my first guitar heroes.
@@karlfisher1864 ok I'll listen to that song, I heard he played it as an homage to Jimi.
Wow, thanks for adding this. I am a huge Trower fan and never knew too much of PH's material. I went on a "Rock and Blues Cruise" a few weeks back and caught PC Twice. Absolutely blown away. Can't believe I missed them. I've gone back to their early catalog since the trip trying to hear all the Trower era stuff. Seeing Robin in 2 weeks. This 1971 concert is really special as at the moment I'm on a Trower PH Binge. Interesting to see where he was headed at that time. By the way, the current PH guitar player, Geoff Whitehorn, is the best player I'd not heard of. So tasteful with his tone and playing. He and the current version of PH have a lot on UA-cam worth checking out.
Gary Brooker's vocals are amazing here. The whole concert is mind-boggling
this is awesome i have loved robin trower my whole life and it is wonderful to hear these before time recordings
I listened to this live the night it was broadcast. Still sounds amazing.
What a gem this is!
I saw them in the time frame from '72 to 74 in San Antonio. Trower must have been there. A good time was had by all. It might have been with Ten Years After. It was awesome!
K
Simply beautiful..... One of the great bands.... Superb team work....
Trower and Wilson.
memorial drive 0:06 still there'll be more 3:34 nothing that i didn't know 9:10 simple sister 12:51 luskus delph 16:32 shine on brightly 20:20 whaling stories 24:51 broken barricades 34:59 juicy john pink 37:59 a salty dog 42:00 whisky train 47:02 power failure 52:17
thank you
Muchas Gracias!
Ditto. Thanks.
Good and clean through my headset, nice drum clarity, especially on 'Power Failure'. BJ Wilson excellent. Thank you for sharing this!
Sis & her friends turned me on to Procol Harum right from the start, in 1967. All of us have shared a lifetime love affair with them. We were all sorry to see Matthew leave, followed by the incomparable Robin Trower. Well, "stiil there was more," & more, & each incarnation evolved with ever greater musical genius. That Gary sounds just as phenomenal today, after all these years is, "something magic." We traveled near & far to see them, again, & again. Once Covid allows touring & concert going, where medical safety isn't jeopardized, we'll be there to see Gary & the boys. Simply put, no band of any era has approached the sophistication both musically & lyrically as the incredible Procol Harum.
Robin Trower is the equal of Clapton, Page, or any other guitarist not named Jimi Hendrix. The late, great Barrie Wilson should be enshrined upon the mountain top of all-time great drummers. Keith's lyrics are admired by music historians the world over. And, Gary Brooker, the only remaining member of the original band has a mesmerizing voice as he rewards us with piano mastery, his range of compositions all encompassing.
They are like no other, they defined Progressive Rock, ... Full concerts with a symphony orchestra & chorus, mixed with British Blues, Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, & JS Bach, tossing in a Strauss Waltz now & then.
I hate the word because it's so overused, nevertheless, it truly describes the entirety of a Procol Harum experience,
... "Amazing!!"
In one word.. WOW!.. the audio is super-clean.. I saw them perform almost the exact same set with the same line-up at The Fillmore West in late 1970.. sitting on the floor, twenty feet from the stage, stoned out of my mind.. I was twenty-one.. I wish that show had been filmed or at least recorded professionally, but it wasn't.. Trower left after "Broken Barricades".. he's almost seventy and still records, performs, and tours.. Why wasn't this released as a commerciak / retail album?.. Fer cryin' out loud, I've almost worn out the .mp3, I've played it so maty times.. Thanks so much for uploading this..
Uh huh! Yep, we feel you.
I also saw them at the Fillmore that week. (Bands typically had a 4-night run, as I recall.) It was Halloween night, and there was fittingly a jack-o-lantern sitting atop the piano! It was the perfect night for the spooky songs from the "Home" album (their peak, in my opinion). "Whaling Stories" was awesome! Shortly after this, another memorable show at the Fillmore, I saw Elton John open for the Kinks. This was just before his "11-17-70" live recording, and he never sounded that good again.
@@ElectricEarldotcom Seen Procol Harum at Detroit's Eastown Theatre. This was the same tour as from this live radio broadcast. Unfortunately, the boys had to follow the unbelievably up and coming, J. Geils. Geils band blew the roof off that old vaudeville theatre, and it wasn't long after these performances, that no one wanted to follow them. They went to headliner status toot~sweet. But, back to Procol, i can remember the roadies taking longer to set~up their equipment, as to settle down the frenzied crowd. After a couple of songs, Procol Harum were in the groove and everyone was getting into them.
You're right about Elton also, ironically i seen him on Halloween also, at the Eastown, and he had a huge Pumpkin on his piano.
Man~o~chevis, those were the daze, & we thought they'd never end...But they did Dammit!!! R()ck () bro.
Procol Harum : Highly Underated Musical Geniuses! Viva Procol Harum!
Hey Brett F Brilliant! Thanks for sharing such an incredible treasure recording of one of the most innovative, talented and intellectually oriented bands in history. Got to be some of the most inspired and inspiring lyric writing songwriter of all time too. And listen to young Robin Trower -- such dazzling tone without today's boxes and oozing taste/style just a year or so after Jimi passed on. Shine on brightly!
Trower has such a killer finger vibrato. I latched onto this as a kid (because I couldn't play that fast Alvin Lee stuff) and I'm so grateful. I use it to this day.
Want a great rock band? Always start with a great drummer.
Set list:
1 Memorial Drive
2 Still There'll be more
3 Nothing that I didn't know
4 Simple Sister
5 Luskus Delph
6 Shine On Brightly
7 Whaling Stories
8 Broken Barricades
9 Juicy John Pink
10 A Salty Dog
11 Whiskey Train
12 Power Failure
Robin trower rules
He’s still my go to artist, 50 years!
I've just now found this amazing recording. Thank you so much for putting it on here. One of the best live recordings of Procol Harum I've ever heard. Juicy John Pink. WOW!
By the time I saw Procol Harum in concert here in Edmonton,Alberta,Canada at the Jubilee Auditorium on November 18, 1971 Robin Trower had already left and been replaced by Dave Ball. Yes I was really there at the concert among the audience of 3,000 and I still have the ticket stub and concert program to prove it. Dave Ball was excellent on lead guitar during the concert recording. The live album with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was issued worldwide in 1972. Next thing we knew Robin Trower released Bridge Of Sighs. Long live Procol Harum's music. Procol Harum -Whiskey Train (1970) ua-cam.com/video/NZoN0-OyqQQ/v-deo.html
Shame they couldn't pull off the album version of "Simple Sister" during this show, but it would've taken at least six pianos, horns, strings, a choir and more to pull off all the layering that Chris Thomas so masterfully mixed for "Broken Barricades".. (with NO computers).. listen to the version of the song on that album and you'll see (hear) what I'm talking about..
Saw this concert that summer when they played in P town Mass. Trower was great.
First time... Shrine, '68. Robin in black and white striped tee shirt blew the roof off. Was, is and always shall be a Daydream
Thanks for sharing this great qualiry recording. Being a drummer I, of course, love B.J. Wilsons unique drumming enriching every Procol tune. But Chris Copping on organ is also great...
I saw this band at the Depot Mpls. ( 1st Ave. ) in 71 Robin was using Strats already though he had a SG Standard Back up. Hiwatt Dr 100 amp 2 4x12 Hiwatt cabs.
Robin's tone is amazing. Signs of things to come.
*R.i.P. Keith Reid.
Nice to hear the cleaned-up sound. I wish that this had been the live album, instead of the "Edmonton Symphony" thing. This show how much more relaxed the group was in a more intimate setting. I saw them in Minneapolis during the spring of '71 tour. Still ranks as the best rock concert I ever witnessed. Trower and Wilson both in top form, and that's what made this group special, a great guitarist and drummer.
Barrie was one of the best drummers ever.
Their best live album is 2006 w/ the Danish Concert Orchestra and Choir from Ledreborg - Denmark. Great video too. A few thousand Danes sitting on a beautiful lawn with a couple little canals running through, the king's castle up on a hill and Procol Harum and a full orchestra and choir under a huge tent.
Saw this same line up at The Lambertville (NJ) Music Circus in summer of '70 (I think, haha!). It was "in the round".Incredible memory. Robin Trower blew my mind on "Whaling Stories" and I never recovered!
Loving this live stuff...cheers!
Oh, sure Trower. But good God B.J.Wilson!
PROCOL FOREVER !!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing. This is sweet, like much of the music from this ten year or so period. Never saw PH live. And although I bought Salty dog when I was 14 or 15. None of my friends appreciated them. That didn't matter to me and the three or four friends that I was really tight with. And even though Robin Trower went on to a short lived super star status when Bridge of Sighs came out. it took me years to discover that ''the fantastic blues guitarist'' with PH was in fact Trower. It were as though he had an alter ego. His solo work and style did not appear similar to his wok with PH. It blew me away when I first found out! I saw Trower in Baltimore, Maryland when he was touring for Bridge of Sighs. Sadly it looked as though the local heroin had done him in. As it has thousands before him for last hundred years or so. And the show was really terrible. I wish I could lie and say his performance was extraordinary. But it wasn't, it was sad. And now I am rediscovering Procul Harum. I appreciate them as a group far more than the short lived romance many of us had with Bridge of Sighs. On the other hand. Bridge of Sighs we said was a novelty LP. Each side like one long thirty minute song. Long enough to get totally toasted on Rocket Fuel. Those were good days. And they are over. These are the days now. May they last forever and a day.
Peace.Peace.Peace.
This band should never have let Robin go! With BJ and and a great bass player, they would have gone far! K
Yes I lost most of my interest after Robin.
another blessing from the great ones
another blessing for US
If you buy the new 3-CD reissue of "Broken Barricades," this concert is on the second disc, if you really want the best audio.
spectacular.
saw them the prior night at SUNY Stony Brook - taped this show and always loved it
Can't do much but echo the other comments (I also had a bootleg where BJ's drums sounded like they had been recorded underwater-really bad.) The RRHOF thing is a joke with no laugh.
Saw them way back when you could see 3 bands for $7:00
Thank you so much, have this on a boot, but it is unlistenable.
andmoreagain9 Mine is also terrible. "The Elusive Procol Harum," is what it's called. Terrible quality all around. This is way better.
No recuerdo exactamente el año entre 1970 o 1971, vinieron a México y dieron un gran concierto inolvidable en el Auditorio Nacional nunca se me olvidará ya que en ese tiempo estaban muy restringidos conciertos de rock de esta magnitud.
Miss you, Barrie, my friend.
Fabulous.Thanks for sharing.❤️💜😻🎶😷🌹
My first album. In '73 When I was 6 I told my mom I was keeping her friends Procol Harum LP.
i have a cassette copy of this concert collected years ago. the sound quality on this is light years better.
I saw them perform much of this same set at Pittsburgh's Stanley Theatre 4/27/71. ELP and Rustix were there opening acts. I still have a playable mono cassette I made of this concert. When did Robin Trower leave? Could I have one of his final recordings?
Almond eyes my Turkish Pearl
Broken Barricades was a great point to go out on!
Wow Fantastic!
How is that guitar solo on "Simple Sister"! Chilling ... so appropriate to the song ... its a very short version of a song that would be great to rock out on ... the album version is great. Procol have had some good guitarists since but no one like Trower ... Truly unique.
What a great band. Songs powerfully done.
sounds good to me! thanks!
This was the experimental 4-piece lineup, but Robin was not a bassist and they went right back to a dedicated bassist. There's Robin playing bass on the few tunes where there's no real guitar parts, then switching back to guitar. It's asking too much of anyone to have to switch instruments during a set. And Chris played bass on his left hand on a few songs - again, it's never going to work,, and Procul hired a bassist right after this tour.
Who could leave a band with this kind of song writing ? (Well we know Trower did)
This Whiskey Train rips it up!
Thanks very much for sharing this great concert.
Robin Trower is the right end of this group photo.
cuando partamos PH, viajaremos juntos, emocionados
gran album-excelente,
Fantastic to hear Robin Trower on such great form, a mere 50 years ago! Does anyone else agree this was much better than his subsequent solo career?
Yes, Procol-era Trower is my favorite Trower. He was developing his own distinctive vocabulary of slides and hammer-ons (Simple Sister a good example) that set him apart from others as he outgrew the BBKing-isms he and many other 2nd-wave blues guitarists cut their teeth on. He continued and expanded that style into his solo era but - for my money - I just prefer hearing him on a Les Paul thru a Marshall amp. I've dug all over the internet and keep a file on his Procol-era gear, such as all the Gibsons and Gretsches he used and his progression thru Selmer and Marshall amps. And he had much of his feral, snarling attack and wrist vibrato from early on, the best example being Cerdes - try this link ua-cam.com/video/MiNU22nLf48/v-deo.html
? Robin's solo career has been absolutely great to the point that I'm glad he left PH. He has shown himself more accomplished than the standard household names (like Clapton) who endlessly bullshit about music but haven't produced near a body of work as Robin's and seem to be famous for their indiscretions as much or more than their music.
No
I Found out Mathew Fisher was in Lord Sutch with Nicky Hopkins
So was Ritchie Blackmore
tracklist:
1. Memorial Drive
2. Still There'll Be more
3. Nothing That I Didn't Know
4. Simple Sister
5. Luskus Delph
6. Shine On Brightly
7. Whaling Stories
8. Broken Barricades
9. Juicy John Pink
10. A Salty Dog
11. Whiskey Train
12. Power Failure
Recorded in April, 1971
'shine on brightly' is such a gem.
robin trower guitars
34:52
The only way for PH to enter the Hall of Fame is continual pressure by their fans (i.e. Rush).
I'd love to hear RT do Whiskey Train at one of his gigs.
the only time i seen them they played in 3 places in the nyc metro area then went over seas
His voice-singing style often reminds me of Jimmy Hendrix
One word, BJ WILSON!
The first 70 sec of this show could almost be mistaken for Cream, live...
How much more talented is this band, at playing their instruments and their lyrical mentally is superior to the Beatles ?
For anyone...what was RT's greatest lead? I think Piggy Pig Pig from home....
that's a good one, Quite Rightly So also gives me goose bumps.
Wiskey Train..Greatest riff in R$R Ever...forget Cossroads, Smoke, Etc.
become a member of I AM PROCOL HARUM on my FaceBook-Page
Excellent!!
Truly PH
I saw them 2 mo earlier, all I wanted to hear.... Devil From Kansas
Love PH's style Robby, left, good songs, but missing guitar quality
Interesting to see Keith Reid included in the photos. Met him in Hollywood 1974. He said he was working on a movie soundtrack. ..Never knew which one. Is he still around ???Thanks for a Great post..
Still around but not writing lyrics for Trower.