- Audio CD (1 May 2012)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: True North
- ASIN: B00005B7XQ
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 255,351 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Recorded in front of an audience by the BBC in 1974 for broadcast on Radio One's "In Concert" programme, this album (not released commercially until 1999) is the only official record of the band playing live sans orchestra. Made just after the release of "Exotic Birds & Fruit", it features the same personnel and six of the songs to be found on that album. The live sound is a little rough in places and the instrumental balance is not as finely judged as on the band's albums of this era (when Chris Thomas was their regular producer). That said, the album provides ample evidence of Procol Harum's often underestimated rock sensibilities. The quality of their songs and the band's well-honed instrumental prowess shine through and the band-only arrangements of songs like 'Grand Hotel' (originally recorded with choir and strings) in articular emphasise that Procol Harum where first and foremost impressively accomplished rockers.
Gary Brooker is in fine voice throughout and BJ Wilson's excellent drumming consistently plays a far more significant structural role in the arrangements than is common in rock music. Mick Grabham's guitar-playing, on the other hand makes telling contributions to each song without indulging in axe-hero excesses (though he's impressively raunchy on the guitar-dominated 'Simple Sister'). Chris Copping's and Alan Cartwright's playing (on Hammond organ and bass respectively) is impressive and perfectly weighted within Procol's generally piano-led sound.
The only fly in the ointment is the disappointing production work of Jeff Griffin. BBC staff producer Griffin had tremendous experience of working with a wide variety of musicians but seems to have made no attempt to respond to the complexities of Procol's musical arrangements with their important shifts in instrumental significance within and between songs. Instead, he seems to have opted for a "set it up once, then leave it alone" approach. The chosen settings serve the songs from "Exotic Birds & Fruit" reasonably enough (which is just as well: this broadcast was, after all, a promotional exercise in support of that album) but make some of the finer points of the earlier songs hard to pick up, even for the afficionado. This is a shame, as otherwise this release would be a near-perfect addition to Procol Harum's recorded legacy.
As it is, even with its production shortcommings, this is an essential purchase for those who like Procol Harum and is highly recommended to anyone who's interested in hearing how this intriguing band could rock when freed from the accretions of the "symphonic rock" sound for which they are unfairly best known.
Gary Brooker is in fine voice throughout and BJ Wilson's excellent drumming consistently plays a far more significant structural role in the arrangements than is common in rock music. Mick Grabham's guitar-playing, on the other hand makes telling contributions to each song without indulging in axe-hero excesses (though he's impressively raunchy on the guitar-dominated 'Simple Sister'). Chris Copping's and Alan Cartwright's playing (on Hammond organ and bass respectively) is impressive and perfectly weighted within Procol's generally piano-led sound.
The only fly in the ointment is the disappointing production work of Jeff Griffin. BBC staff producer Griffin had tremendous experience of working with a wide variety of musicians but seems to have made no attempt to respond to the complexities of Procol's musical arrangements with their important shifts in instrumental significance within and between songs. Instead, he seems to have opted for a "set it up once, then leave it alone" approach. The chosen settings serve the songs from "Exotic Birds & Fruit" reasonably enough (which is just as well: this broadcast was, after all, a promotional exercise in support of that album) but make some of the finer points of the earlier songs hard to pick up, even for the afficionado. This is a shame, as otherwise this release would be a near-perfect addition to Procol Harum's recorded legacy.
As it is, even with its production shortcommings, this is an essential purchase for those who like Procol Harum and is highly recommended to anyone who's interested in hearing how this intriguing band could rock when freed from the accretions of the "symphonic rock" sound for which they are unfairly best known.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
here we have again a fine collection-live-of one of the best groups ever.real ' harum ' stuff with quality label.price worth ,even if you have the originals.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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8 reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
A welcome addition to Procol's recorded legacy
5 Jun 2000
Format:Audio CD
Recorded in front of an audience by the BBC in 1974 for broadcast on Radio One's "In Concert" programme, this album (not released commercially until 1999) is the only official record of the band playing live sans orchestra. Made just after the release of "Exotic Birds & Fruit", it features the same personnel and six of the songs to be found on that album. The live sound is a little rough in places and the instrumental balance is not as finely judged as on the band's albums of this era (when Chris Thomas was their regular producer). That said, the album provides ample evidence of Procol Harum's often underestimated rock sensibilities. The quality of their songs and the band's well-honed instrumental prowess shine through and the band-only arrangements of songs like 'Grand Hotel' (originally recorded with choir and strings) in articular emphasise that Procol Harum where first and foremost impressively accomplished rockers.
Gary Brooker is in fine voice throughout and BJ Wilson's excellent drumming consistently plays a far more significant structural role in the arrangements than is common in rock music. Mick Grabham's guitar-playing, on the other hand makes telling contributions to each song without indulging in axe-hero excesses (though he's impressively raunchy on the guitar-dominated 'Simple Sister'). Chris Copping's and Alan Cartwright's playing (on Hammond organ and bass respectively) is impressive and perfectly weighted within Procol's generally piano-led sound.
The only fly in the ointment is the disappointing production work of Jeff Griffin. BBC staff producer Griffin had tremendous experience of working with a wide variety of musicians but seems to have made no attempt to respond to the complexities of Procol's musical arrangements with their important shifts in instrumental significance within and between songs. Instead, he seems to have opted for a "set it up once, then leave it alone" approach. The chosen settings serve the songs from "Exotic Birds & Fruit" reasonably enough (which is just as well: this broadcast was, after all, a promotional exercise in support of that album) but make some of the finer points of the earlier songs hard to pick up, even for the afficionado. This is a shame, as otherwise this release would be a near-perfect addition to Procol Harum's recorded legacy.
As it is, even with its production shortcommings, this is an essential purchase for those who like Procol Harum and is highly recommended to anyone who's interested in hearing how this intriguing band could rock when freed from the accretions of the "symphonic rock" sound for which they are unfairly best known.
Gary Brooker is in fine voice throughout and BJ Wilson's excellent drumming consistently plays a far more significant structural role in the arrangements than is common in rock music. Mick Grabham's guitar-playing, on the other hand makes telling contributions to each song without indulging in axe-hero excesses (though he's impressively raunchy on the guitar-dominated 'Simple Sister'). Chris Copping's and Alan Cartwright's playing (on Hammond organ and bass respectively) is impressive and perfectly weighted within Procol's generally piano-led sound.
The only fly in the ointment is the disappointing production work of Jeff Griffin. BBC staff producer Griffin had tremendous experience of working with a wide variety of musicians but seems to have made no attempt to respond to the complexities of Procol's musical arrangements with their important shifts in instrumental significance within and between songs. Instead, he seems to have opted for a "set it up once, then leave it alone" approach. The chosen settings serve the songs from "Exotic Birds & Fruit" reasonably enough (which is just as well: this broadcast was, after all, a promotional exercise in support of that album) but make some of the finer points of the earlier songs hard to pick up, even for the afficionado. This is a shame, as otherwise this release would be a near-perfect addition to Procol Harum's recorded legacy.
As it is, even with its production shortcommings, this is an essential purchase for those who like Procol Harum and is highly recommended to anyone who's interested in hearing how this intriguing band could rock when freed from the accretions of the "symphonic rock" sound for which they are unfairly best known.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Captures the Essence
10 Dec 2004
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I agree with other reviewers who complain about poor mixing and shoddy engineering on this CD. Both stink! But those responsible know it and apologies of a sort are included in the liner notes, so I won't continue belaboring the issue.
Despite all its faults, BBC Live In Concert captures the essence and the excitement of a live Procol Harum performance. I've seen them many times and each time the band, both as a group and individually, has never failed to give its all. And this CD is no exception.
I like every song here, but special mention should be made of luscious renderings of the rarely-performed New Lamps For Old, Beyond the Pale (despite that some of the piano part seems to be missing), a hard driving Simple Sister, a delicate Grand Hotel, and a rousing Nothing But the Truth.
I'll knock a star off for the recording, but this CD should still be in the collections of true Procol Harum fans. The band is still playing, but live gigs are rare so this suffices as an interim fix while awaiting the next tour.
Despite all its faults, BBC Live In Concert captures the essence and the excitement of a live Procol Harum performance. I've seen them many times and each time the band, both as a group and individually, has never failed to give its all. And this CD is no exception.
I like every song here, but special mention should be made of luscious renderings of the rarely-performed New Lamps For Old, Beyond the Pale (despite that some of the piano part seems to be missing), a hard driving Simple Sister, a delicate Grand Hotel, and a rousing Nothing But the Truth.
I'll knock a star off for the recording, but this CD should still be in the collections of true Procol Harum fans. The band is still playing, but live gigs are rare so this suffices as an interim fix while awaiting the next tour.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
turn up the volume folks!
10 Aug 2003
Format:Audio CD
and you can hear everything a lot better, Gary Brooker's vocals being in most excellent form despite being nearly drowned out in places. And you will have to adjust the equalization yourself: the treble all the way down on Bringing Home the Bacon and then all the way back up again on everything else - what gives with the label that issued this CD anyway? Give that a try and I think you will find the pleasure that is experiencing this wonderful live performance. The other reviewers are right: the engineering is pretty awful, though typical of many bands in the 70's (at first listen, I thought they must have recorded it out in the lobby!), and the production is atrocious. But the performances are very compelling. Besides Gary's plaintive and alternately rollicking vocals, BJ Wilson's solid drumming and Mick Grabham's ripping guitar work are also standouts. Hearing so much of the Exotic Birds and Fruit album performed live is a special treat as this is some of their best work during the period and provides a fresh alternative to the reverb effect, studio version. But just listen to Whaling Stories, stripped down to its bare essentials and building to a chaotic climax - altogether breathtaking! Other highlights are Simple Sister (I wish to God I had made it to a live Procol performance - any performance - to hear this one) and Grand Hotel, the piano sections played tenderly by Gary and the band rising to a powerful crescendo - just awesome! My advice: buy it, listen to it and keep listening to it because it will win you over completely. And just maybe, with all the other Procol material thought to be in the BBC vaults, there will be still more to come. I can't wait!
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