Record Reviews

PROCOL HARUM ~ EXOTIC BIRDS AND FRUIT MUSEA 2107 (Barcode: 3426300021076) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2006 8th album by great British group Procol HarumFind albums by this artist and their return to strict group format after two orchestral albums. Led by singer / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist, with guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist, organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist, the group was still at the top of their musical power and this is probably their strongest album of their late period. Brooker´s gift for composing momentous melodies, combined with excellent lyrics written by Keith ReidFind albums by this artist, who was a de facto member of the group, made them a unique phenomenon, which can be appreciated even better from the perspective of the decades that passed since their inception. The moody, sometimes gothic atmosphere of medieval spookiness and bluesy undertones beautifully are simply stunning. This is a classic example of music, which loses nothing of its qualities over time and an essential piece of the Golden Decade puzzle. A must in any serious Prog collection!

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	PROCOL HARUM ~ EXOTIC BIRDS AND FRUIT REPERTOIRE 4917 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock 8th album from 1974. Much of the same and if you like Procol Harum you`ll want this one in your collection. Remastered with bonus tracks.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PROCOL HARUM ~ EXOTIC BIRDS AND FRUIT (DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2633 (Barcode: 5013929473348) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the seventh 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. This album´s lineup includes two founding members: vocalist / pianist Gary BrookerFind albums by this artist and drummer B. J. WilsonFind albums by this artist with Hammond organist Chris CoppingFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GrabhamFind albums by this artist and bassist Alan CartwrightFind albums by this artist. Guitarist B. J. ColeFind albums by this artist guests on selected tracks. The album was produced by the celebrated producer Chris ThomasFind albums by this artist, who worked with the group since their fourth studio album "HomeFind albums with this title". The album presents nine songs all composed by Brooker with lyrics by poet Keith ReidFind albums by this artist. This remastered and expanded edition adds two bonus tracks (B-side of a single and an alternate mix), a bonus CD with a BBC "In Concert" recording and another bonus CD with a radio studio performance recorded in the US. Following the recording of two heavily orchestrated albums (the first live album "Live: In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony OrchestraFind albums with this title" from 1972 and the sixth studio album "Grand HotelFind albums with this title" from 1973) this album marks a "return to basics" Rock attitude with the dominating double keyboards sound and the moody, lyrical tunes perfectly crafted by Brooker. The overall sound and musical approach is closest to the early work of the group since a few years. Brooker´s incredible vocals and the group´s instrumental work are superb in every respect and the production manages to emphasize perfectly their unique ambience. They were also incredibly effective when playing live, as evident on the two bonus CDs. Overall this is one of the strongest albums in the Procol Harum impressive legacy, which offers a wonderful example of their unique stylistic idiosyncrasy, which knows no parallels. It lost absolute nothing of its power and elegance over time and sounds every bit as wonderful as it did at the time of its release. It is obviously an essential item in any serious Classic Rock / Prog collection.

Updated: 09/04/2022Posted: 29/01/2019

CD 3 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend