This Procol Harum vinyl reissue is a fitting reminder of a very influential rock band.
Procol Harum – Shine On Brightly – Regal Zonophone/A & M Records (1968)/Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records ECLECLP 2501 (2024) stereo vinyl, 39:09 ****1/2:
(Gary Booker – piano, Vocals; Robin Trower – guitar, vocals; Matthew Fisher – organ, piano, vocals; David Knight – bass; B.J. Wilson – drums; Keith Reid – lyrics)
The 1960’s British Invasion was steeped in American blues. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Animals and others focused on the gritty rock and roll found in Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Chuck Berry achieving commercial success. Toward the end of the decade, inspired by albums like Sgt Pepper and Pet Sounds, bands started to expand their musical palettes to include folk, jazz and classical styles. One of the emerging movements was progressive rock. These groups were heavily influenced by classical music. In 1967, Procol Harum shook up the world with the Bach-inspired single, “Whiter Shade Of Pale” (now considered to be an iconic popular music achievement). Led by pianist and singer Gary Booker, the unique sound consisted of piano, organ (Matthew Fisher), guitar (Robin Tower), bass (David Knight) and drums (B.J. Wilson). Additionally, the in-house lyricist Keith Reid added well-crafted psychedelic imagery to the compositions. The original lineup continued for four albums, although the group recorded for decades. Many critics consider their sophomore release, Shine On Brightly as the creative apex of the catalog.
Esoteric Recordings has reissued Shine On Brightly on gatefold vinyl. Fifty-five years later, this album (Procol Harum’s second) represents the creative zenith of this individual group and progressive rock. Side A kicks off with a straight ahead rocker, “Quite Rightly So”. With Booker’s formidable vocals, this poetic observation is ethereal and displays the quirky angst of Reid. Fisher and Trower’s crisp solos are notable as the chorus ends in a fade. The band simply cooks on the title cut with great organ accents and piercing guitar notes. Then, a transition to atmospheric B3 is catchy before the raucous sonics re-enter. This group can do strange. On “Skip Softly (My Moonbeams”), a Halloween-like piano/guitar opens with a great descendant chord structure. Then, a meditative Booker run is framed by Trower’s screeching, jagged run before an amped-up circus-themed finish. Reaching back to roots, “Wish Me Well” is down ’n’ dirty blues and Booker clearly demonstrates his considerable vocal prowess in this genre. Of course, Reid’s motley (per the liner notes) countenance permeates the narratives, especially on “Rambling On”. Everything builds to a dramatic conclusion with the band’s strong play.
Side B is something special. “Magdalena (My Regal Zonophone” utilizes a subtle march-time drum that is countered by Baroque-infused organ (and harpsichord). Booker’s nuanced vocals capture the swirling acoustic vibe. An outgo with exotic vocalese effects is also interesting. The centerpiece of Shine On Brightly is a near 18-minute five-piece suite that incorporates different musical influences. After a stream-of-consciousness spoken-intro enveloped in ominous instrumental shading (including a sitar), the group explodes into a crescendo. Then a reverie of piano and voices surround Reid’s poetry recitation. Quickly a bell literally rings in the waltz-time “Teatime At The Circus” with a calliope-like organ. Matthew Fisher sings “In The Autumn Of My Madness” with distinctive classical undertones and Trower’s serrated guitar riffs are a vital counterpoint to the mellifluous organ. The full ensemble combines on the free-form, at times menacingly droning first part of “Look To Your Soul”. It is quintessential PH and is followed by Booker’s lithe vocals. B’J. Wilson’s drumming is excellent and drives the pulse, while Trower’s guitar is a visceral counterpoint. The stirring processional “Grand Finale” includes a lush chorus framed by piano. The intensity builds as Trower injects screeching blues into the expansive final, inspired segment.
Kudos to Esoteric Records for reissuing this epochal1968 album. The sound mix is balanced with precise instrumental detail. The vinyl pressing displays little surface noise, with no hisses or pops.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Procol Harum – Shine On Brightly
TrackList:
Side A: Quite Rightly So; Shine On Brightly; Skip Softly (My Moonbeams); Wish Me Well; Rambling On
Side B: Magdalena (My Regal Zonophone); In Held ’Twas In I (Glimpses Of Nirvana/’Twas Teatime At The Circus/In The Autumn Of My Madness/Look To Your Soul/Grand Finale.
More information through Cherry Red Records
