RARE 1967 Orig + POSTER 1st PROCOL HARUM UK PROG a+

$

49

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   1967 ORIGINAL WITH RARE LARGE POSTER         

      EARLY UK CLASSIC PROGRESSIVE GEM!        

           PROCOL HARUM

                        ...USA - DERAM RECORDS - DES 18008

RARE as clean 1967 first pressing WITH THE VERY HARD TO FIND LARGE POSTER.

       Contains the original printed Deram/London Records inner sleeve

The UK prog-rock band Procol Harum topped the UK charts for six weeks in 1967 with the Bach inspired "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

From the ashes of the Paramounts and the Pinewoods, Procol Harum emerged. Their debut single, a classically-based piece, captured public imagination in a way that few singles do. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" spent over a month at the top of the UK charts and became a million-seller in the States. Meanwhile the band's debut gig was opening for Jimi Hendrix in London.

Procol Harum,  first album is an additive, something that pushes you a little from where you are, something that accelerates your motion. And this leads to some thoughts on a definition of rock; a definition which would have to do with “inside” and “outside”, that which reaches in and pushes you, and that which you yourself must reach out to.

Denny Cordell, who produced the LP. Had been worried that, because of its lack of complexity compared to Sergeant Pepper and other modern rock, the Procol album might be poorly received in America. Complex is not a term that should be applied to the music on an album but rather to the reactions of the listener. Many listeners judge an album to be satisfying on a complex level if it moves one in varied uncertain ways — if it somehow interacts with whatever themes are bothering at the moment. Procol Harum does this, and it’s really the first LP to do this since The Doors. Procol Harum is  a very strange rock group. For one thing, its impetus came from someone not even in the group proper: Keith Reid, who wrote ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ well over a year before it became a hit. The group is unusual in its instrumentation, and its use of instruments. The basic rhythmic ground on most of the tracks is provided by the organ, and is complemented and given shape by the bass (played by David Knights). The drums, which traditionally provide the ‘beat’ in a rock song, are used here more as punctuation (as in Blonde on Blonde). This requires very sophisticated drumming, and indeed Wilson is extremely sensitive to everything that’s going on in the music; and the ability of the drums as — almost — a lead instrument to cut across the flowing of the organ is used to great advantage, as in the brilliant ending of ‘Kaleidoscope’ (which suspends the listener in almost complete timelessness).

The lead instrument is very often Gary Brooker’s keys. The piano creates (particularly in ‘Christmas Camel’ and ‘Salad Days’, a repeated phrase that serves as basic structure for the piece, like Keith Richard’s guitar in ‘Last Time’ and ‘Satisfaction’. Indeed , the centres of attention in Procol’s music are the repeating figures – organ ripples in ‘She Wandered Through The Garden Fence’, loops of piano and organ in ‘Conquistador’, the pacing of the bass in ‘Cerdes’, etc. The words of the songs seem to unroll from these constant circles of music.

By contrast , the guitar is not so much a lead instrument as a voice, silent much of the time, absolutely in the forefront when it steps in. Robin Trower is  counted among the important rock guitarists of the late 60's/erly 70's. His work in ‘Repent Walpurgis’ is shattering, brilliant; amid the precise weariness of the piece he cries out exhausted. His foreshadowed entrance in ‘Something Following Me’ provides the song its only real depth.All said, the album is a lost epic, beginning thrpough  ending -- an early progressive rock creation...  ‘Cerdes’ is another of the masterpieces within the album. And ‘Conquistador’, a lovely bit of romanticism invaded and enriched by modern anxiety. The timing, restraint and sheer technical ability of pianist, bass and drummer are really impressive here, and Matthew Fisher’s organ playing becomes precisely the right vehicle for the song’s desperation. ‘Repent Walpurgis’, Matthew Fisher’s contribution to this album as a composer, is one of the finest instrumental tracks in early prog rock. It is also the most effective rock composition yet to utilize classical music influences. It will move you, in a rock sense; it will, in fact, shake you mercilessly, and leave you aching to hear it again. So the album leaves an impression of that greatness; there's no end of pleasure from listening to this timeless album.

• "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
• "She Wandered Through the Garden Fence"
• "Something Following Me"
• "Mabel"
• "Cerdes (Outside the Gates Of)"
• "A Christmas Camel"
• "Conquistador"
• "Kaleidoscope"
• "Salad Days (Are Here Again)"
• "Repent Walpurgis"

CONDITION: The cover: The cover is, after 43 years, in TOP level "EX" (excellent) to M- with no bends, no writing and no split seams, very solid and crisp, well handled carefully.

The vinyl: still retains its original shiny luster having but only light hard to see minor inner sleeve paper scuffs, not affecting play ...VG++ visual, plays excellent

the large poster has pieces of masking tape on back corners of the poster, the impression can be lightly seen through the front, although, considering the posters rarity, should be fine.

keeper!

     A  GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record