Record Reviews

PROCOL HARUM ~ THE PRODIGAL STRANGER (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2634 (Barcode: 5013929473447) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1991 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the tenth studio album by the seminal British Classic Rock group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist, one of the last active representatives of the great music wave that started over five decades ago. It is separated by fourteen years from the group´s previous studio album "Something MagicFind albums with this title", which was the last of a string of alums the group recorded at a steady paste in the 1960s and 1970s. This album marks the return of the founding member, Hammond organ player Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist, who left the group after the recording of their third studio album "A Salty DogFind albums with this title". As a result three founding members of Procol Harum are present on this album: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Robin TrowerFind albums by this artist and Fisher. The group´s other members on this album are bassist Dave BronzeFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark BrzezickiFind albums by this artist. The album offers twelve new songs, all composed or co-composed by Brooker with Fisher and producer Matt NobleFind albums by this artist. The lyrics are as usual by the poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. The album is dedicated to B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the groups founding member drummer, who died in 1990. This remastered and expanded edition adds three previously unreleased bonus tracks: two demos and one live track. The release of the album was followed by a tour promoting the album. Trower refused to tour and was replaced by Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist. The tour yielded the second live album by the group entitled "One More TimeFind albums with this title". Musically the album does not follow closely the classic Procol Harum sound and musical direction and in retrospect is the groups most straightforward Pop / Rock oriented album in their entire career. In spite of the double keyboards (piano and Hammond organ) the production shifts the overall soundscape into more contemporary (at the time) environment, which sadly damages the result. The basic melodies and the lyrics are still potentially great, but the album does not reach the same level of depth and the characteristic Procol Harum ambience, as one would have hoped for. As the A/M live album proves, the material was much better suited for concerts than for an intimate home listening experience. Nevertheless it is still a solid Classic Rock album, which can be enjoyed by the many fans of the group and an important document of the group´s illustrious musical legacy.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 28/01/2019

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend