Procol Harum's debut album is amazingly engaging, considering that it was rushed out to capitalize on the hit title track. The material was all already written (before the hit, in fact), but the group recorded the LP in just two days, simply to get a long-player out, and came up with one of the more pleasingly straightforward releases in their history. The range of sounds here is the widest ever heard on one of the group's albums -- "A Christmas Camel" isn't that far from the old Paramounts, the group tackling a sound inspired by Bob Dylan (and derived specifically Read Full BioProcol Harum's debut album is amazingly engaging, considering that it was rushed out to capitalize on the hit title track. The material was all already written (before the hit, in fact), but the group recorded the LP in just two days, simply to get a long-player out, and came up with one of the more pleasingly straightforward releases in their history. The range of sounds here is the widest ever heard on one of the group's albums -- "A Christmas Camel" isn't that far from the old Paramounts, the group tackling a sound inspired by Bob Dylan (and derived specifically from his "Ballad of a Thin Man"), while "Salad Days" and "Kaleidoscope" are hard-driven psychedelic rockers, stripped down to the basics, with no pretensions. "Conquistador" was the "lost" single off the album, finally released years later in its live orchestrated version, but much more intense in this original version, which has never gotten the respect it deserves. In between those are pub songs, novelty tunes, and one Matthew Fisher instrumental excursion, "Repent Walpurgis," that became the finale for the group's shows for years to come. Originally released under the title "Procol Harum," the British version of the LP didn't contain the hit. In 1997, Repertoire Records reissued this album -- retitled A Whiter Shade of Pale -- in remastered state of the art sound, with four bonus tracks, including a pair of harder blues-based numbers by the band from 1967. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
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A Whiter Shade of Pale
Procol Harum Lyrics
We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said "there is no reason"
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well've been closed
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
And so it was that later
Lyrics ยฉ Onward Music Limited
Written by: Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Captain Briz
We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said "there is no reason"
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well've been closed
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
And so it was that later
pascal mayer
We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said "there is no reason"
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
Would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well've been closed
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
And so it was that later
Sharen Donnelly
Nothing compares today, this is pure magic.
Duane A
Yes indeed ...Gary, the performance of the orchestra and the entire concert
SkiRon Holland
There are good songs, great songs, and then there are the rare, timeless masterpieces that transcend fads, genres, and eras. This is one of those gems.
Greg Lepage
@Brian Riley good to hear brian i wish you well with good music
Brian Riley
@Greg Lepage I'm 70 and agree.
kathy love
@Erewhon Hi. I am 66. This song has been with me a long time. The younger generations (not all) just don't see it yet. I hope someday they will. Us "old folks" got our knowledge of music from music like this and so much more. It's up to the songwriters now to show them, i know of at least one that is/will.
kathy love
SkiRon......I could not agree more. This song has not just been a favorite almost my entire life, it is exactly what you said, a gem, a rare gem. It brings tears to my eyes when i listen to it. The orchestra here is so good. I'm sure it's a personal favorite to millions. GB RIP our brother.
Sergio Correa
Agreed
Boating News Blog
I'm not ashamed to say this song made me cry as a kid because it was so beautiful and melodic. Whenever the song came on at home, I had to find a private place in the house so I could enjoy this song and cry in peace. I thank God for this timeless classic.
Peggy Thompson
This is a religious experience