Disco de Procol Harum: “Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra [Bonus Track]”

I don't have the CD yet, only the old LP, and I now I'm going to order the CD, because Procol Harum live with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is a musical jewel. The early 70's brought us experiences of merging rock bands with classic orchestras. Usually, the results were strange (remember Deep Purple's "Concerto for a group and an Orchestra"?), but not in this case. This album is probably the best that any rock band did with an orchestra. A perfect product, an ageless music that is recommended for all prog. music lovers. Listen to the horror in "In the automn of my madness" and to the grand "Grand finale" (both are parts of "In held't was in I"). Listen to the Spanish trumpets in "Conquistador". Listen to "Whaling stories". Though I have few vinyl records of the band, I don't know much about its members, but it's obvious that Gary Brooker and Mathew Fischer have a classical music background ("Homburg" and "Whiter shade of pale" are good examples). In this case they proved, that PH's music sounds even better with an Orchestra behind - most of the titles sound here much better than the original studio albums. So the bottom line: One of the best prog. albums of all times.

I have always thought of this recording as one of the gems of a generation; I had the vinyl LP, but was not in the best condition. I had to buy a CD version from a supplier in Russia..

I am at peace again....the live version of "I held T'was I" has to rank as one of the top 5 songs ever recorded....the finale always has the hair on my arms raised. Do yourself a favor; don't buy that 12 pack of Bud Light and get this CD....

I too had the MFSL CD and thought that it sounded OK.... although I knew from experience there was a lot of information missing, I assumed, due to poor master tapes, etc. I worked on a project with MFSL back in the eighties and knew how capable they were of doing some great things.

I received the remasterd disc from Repertoire and about fell out of my chair the first time I listened. It is indeed amazing what modern technology can do to restore some of these "treasures". This CD is one that every musician should, by law, be required to have - it really is that good. BUY IT - It will become one of your favorites! A soaring masterpiece for all music lovers! ... Rob P.

Talk about a band being in their element! This album melds rock band and orchestra better than any I've heard, including PH's Grand Hotel. Not only did they take an old album track and turn it into a top 10 hit in "Conquistador", but the band took two epic-length pretensions from previous studio efforts, "In Held Twas In I" and "Whaling Stories", and made them seem as if rock was MEANT to be played with a full orchestra and chorus. Both are wonderfully arranged and stirringly played. The band's classic "A Salty Dog" is presented in its finest incarnation on record.

The only weak moment on the album is the truncated ending of "All This and More", a bad example of musicus interruptus and the only real indication of the whole affair's rushed arrangements and lack of rehearsal. And let's not forget Gary Brooker's notorious spoonerism, "...and though the cloud crapped desperately they could not see the joke!" HILARIOUS!

This is a classic of early '70s rock, right up there with Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick which was released around the same time. Get it before it becomes "rare".

Procol Harum's work throughout the years has been uneven, but this collaboration with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is one of their shining moments. I have worn out more than one vinyl version of this recording over the years, and I also have the MFSL version of this CD. While it is true that the MFSL disc suffers in comparison to this one, keep in mind the state of technology in 1971. We do owe a debt to Wally Heider's mobile studio for the tapes that allowed Repertoire to do such a splendid job of remastering. This recording belongs in everyone's collection, whether they are a fan of Procol Harum or not. If you are not moved in some manner by the time you hear "Grand Finale", then you had better check your pulse.