Disco de Procol Harum: “Home [Japan]”

While one can share a former reviewer's frustration, one should agree not to take it out on the artist or material at hand. This is the second Procol Harum record I bought, after a high school friend turned me onto A Salty Dog, which stands, perhaps, as their masterpiece (well, along with Grand Hotel and Exotic Birds and Fruit), though they never did make a duff record (well, Something Magic...). The playing is majestic, it also rocks very very hard, being more guitar-oriented than other PH records, and Brooker's voice--what more can possibly said about it's bell-in-the-church-steeple clarity and resonance? Great pianist, too. If you are a rock and roll enthusiast, then here is where I'd recommend you begin to enter Procol Harum territory, particularly if all you know is "Whiter Shade of Pale" or "Conquistador." Then buy everything they ever recorded. The match of Brooker's music and Keith Reid's lyrics is one of the most serendipitous occasions in the quantum universe.

Home is Procol's fourth album; it found them at something of a crossroads, having seen the resignations of Matthew Fisher and David Knights (bass player) following A Salty Dog, widely acknowledged as PH's masterpiece. They took a page from the Doors' book, hiring Chris Copping to double on keyboards and bass (a la Ray Manzarek, who often added keyboard bass on stage and, on the first 2 LPs at least, in the studio - they did use actual bassists from Waiting for the Sun onward in the studio, such as Doug Lubahn); whenever a song could do without guitar, Robin Trower took up the bass and Copping focused on the keys. The quarter formula seems to have worked out well for them.

That being said, the material is strong, although a bit different from the prior 3 LPs and thus requiring some getting used to. "Whiskey Train" is an absolutely storming opener, and has long been one of my favourite Procol tracks; Trower positively smokes on guitar (I believe it was around this time that he switched from a Les Paul to a Stratocaster, inspired by Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, with whom Procol had recently toured), and the late and much-missed B.J. Wilson drives the proceedings with the most engaging bit of cowbell-tapping I've ever heard on record. "The Dead Man's Dream" comes across like a scene from "Night of the Living Dead"--rather disturbing--and "Still There'll Be More" is a rather detailed revenge song, although it has a great beat and you can dance to it (and will put a smile on your face if the lyrics relate at all to any recent situations in your life!). "Whaling Stories" could almost be a leftover from A Salty Dog. Most of the rest may need repeated listening to stick with you, but it's worth the effort if you like Procol - I do, obviously.

As always, start at the beginning and work your way forward to this one. I have to say, I like the cover art; you can see the humourous take on the board game Chutes & Ladders in the art, and this may be the first Procol album where Keith Reid (lyricist) was actually photographed with the rest of the band!

For their fourth album, 1970's "Home," Procol Harum saw their first major line-up change with the departures of organist Matthew Fisher (relax, though---Matt will return in 21 years!), and bassist David Knights. They're both replaced on "Home" by Chris Copping, a fine organ player & bassist himself. "Home" is one of Harum's greatest albums, with the band cranking up the volume for some of the tracks and just plain rocking out, but they still leave room for some beautiful softer numbers as well. Although some of Keith Reid's lyrics on "Home" are about death, the album is still quite happy-sounding in many places, so to say that this Harum album is depressing is utterly false. Just listen for yourself. The opening salvo, "Whiskey Train," is one of Harum's greatest rockers (and still a part of Harum's concert setlist today), with guitarist Robin Trower attacking his fretboard like a man possessed, and also featuring Gary Brooker's powerful voice and rock piano, and B.J. Wilson's thunderous drumming. Other great songs include the fun "Still They'll Be More," the lovely "Nothing That I Didn't Know," the awesome rocker "About To Die" (a truly underrated Harum gem), the haunting "Barnyard Story," and the drama that is the 7-minute Harum classic, "Whaling Stories." But ALL of the songs here are wonderful. Brooker sings marvelously, and the band play throughout with superb chemistry. "Home" is an outstanding Procol Harum album, and one of their best.

The power, clarity and insight of this album is unusual not only for its time, but for rock in general. While it seems that the lyrcist Reid was understandably impacted by the death of a six year old child "Nothing that I didn't Know", he still relentlessly examines death, alcholism,and greed and does it with rhyme that is clear and to the point. While he is painfully aware of the realities of life, he does offer comfort to "those alive and those at peace." Musically the potent words are more then matched by talents of Brooker, Trower, Wilson and Coppings. Brooker's vocals and Trower's guitar work are superb. For clarity and strength of purpose all the tracks work. This is not an ablum for the faint hearted nor the intellectually challenged May they always "Shine on Brightly."

The Salvo reissues of Procol`s catalog are worth checking out for all fans - the remastering is first-rate, the tri-fold packaging a joy, the booklets loaded w/ rare pics, promotional and press info and repros, great liner notes and recollections by Gary + co., as well as bonus tracks. Whew! That said, this one`s a bit shy on the bonus material, and the liner notes state why, but the booklet compensates for this shortcoming nicely. While this is not one of Procol`s best efforts, there is enough essential material here to justify the purchase, even if it`s just for the remastering of the Trower-penned 'Whiskey Train', the chilling, Poe-like lyrics of 'The Dead Man`s Dream', the lyrical threats ("I`ll darken your Christmas,I`ll piss on your door") of 'Still There`ll Be More', the great guitar and drumming bits on 'About To Die', or the sheer,eternal magnificence of 'Whaling Stories'. And Keith Reid`s lyrics are always biting and thought-provoking. Maybe not their best, but essential nonetheless.