Comments for Procol harum, The prodigal stranger

Excellent comeback album featuring Brooker, Reid, Trower and Fisher from early incarnations. Arose from old band members getting together at drummer B J Wilson's funeral and deciding to give PH one more try. Seeing no more albums have appeared the response to Prodigal Stranger must have been poor. Shame - a good album with 4 -5 stand out tracks with the remainder quite strong. Style is update / moderni- sation of original style.

A very strong comeback album. As a lifelong fan, I was not at all disappointed. Some tracks seem a little forced and the production values are at times a little too strong. The sad fact that B. J. Wilson passed away is sorely felt on this CD. If there is a weak point, it has to be in the drumming. Perhaps not weak, in the sense that the drummer is not highly talented, just not in the same style at all. The subtlties are missing and the music is not quite as tight as it might otherwise be. However, I enjoyed the CD enough that I bought several additional copies for friends. Note: be sure to check out the new Gary Brooker release: The Long Goodbye. Several outstanding tracks with famous UK orchestras.

Procol Harum always suffered through being grossly under- rated, except by those in the know, and only associated with 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale'. Their catalogue of outstanding 'old' tracks puts most other bands to shame - they are one of the few bands from that era whose music still inspires. 'The Prodigal Stranger', like the group itself, must be one of those things that the general public completely missed. I think it is an outstanding album even by Procol Harum's own standards, and even the less impressive tracks grow better, both by repeat playings and by being part of such a strong overall set of recordings. There are some great songs here, well played and recorded, with enough of the classic Procol Harum cues to create a link with the past yet right up to the mark too - this is definitely not just a revival album, nor a last fling by a bunch of old men. I keep scanning the record racks in hopes of finding a follow-up, but no luck so far.

I agree with the crowd this time. After the dreadful "Something Magic" (which I prefer to call "Something Tragic"), I thought that "Prodigal Stranger" was a wonderful comeback attempt. Thanks for the info on the guys meeting at BJ's funeral - I wasn't aware of this. How ironic. If anyone would like to trade for tapes of the group's appearances on Top Gear, Top of The Pops, Fillmore East '67 & '69, Troubador - LA, NY Felt Forum '74, BBC Transcription records ('74 & '77) and other rare stuff, post your e-mail address here.

As much as I enjoy this album, I find the sound quite grating. Does anyone know if this record is available on vinyl?

A pretty good album, and definitely a clear cut above many of the "comebacks" being fostered on the public by some of the graybeard bands of the 60s and 70s. "A Dream in Every Home" actually got some FM-adult airplay in the U.S., but like most of Procol's fare never seemed to click big with the masses. Overall, this album is a great example of a band that was able to update and bring its sound forward without losing its distinct sound. I would agree with one comment I've seen, that the sound quality is nothing to write home about--although I fear that with the possible exceptions of "Grand Hotel" and "Procol's Ninth" this band never did have much good help in the engineering booth

For those who do not like the sound of Procol Harum's records (LP's & particularly CD's), PROCOL HARUM (1st), A SALTY DOG, HOME, BROKEN BARRICADES, LIVE WITH THE EDMONTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and GRAND HOTEL are/were available as half-speed or original master recordings. they are definitely worth seeking out. I found the 1st album on 1/2 speed mastered vinyl in Les Halles record store in Paris. The A&M releases are/were available on Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Original Master CD's. My 1/2 speed vinyl of Grand Hotel is on the Sweet Thunder label.

Procol Harum's return in 1991 to their long-suffering fans, by way of The Prodigal Stranger album, shows just how durable, versatile and brilliant some musicians can truly be. It is a very sad commentary on the state of our culture, both in America and in Europe, that Mr. Gary Brooker -- a certifiable musical genius -- has not yet retrieved that which he is most deserving of, namely, world-wide recognition for his music, his songs and his voice. Mr. Keith Reid and Mr. Matthew Fisher, as well, are deserving of the highest praise; Keith Reid's lyrics demonstrate the soul and talent of a genuine poet. Matthew Fisher, whose compositions, voice and heart equally have missed their due attention, need further and greater exposure. The listening world deserves the genius of Procol Harum and, if recording executives were really doing what they should be, they would PROMOTE this truly fine group of musicians.

While any Procol Harum music is, in my opinion, superior to most of the other new music I hear, The Long Goodbye is a huge disappointment to me. Brooker sounds strong as ever, vocally, and some of the melodies have stuck with me, but the songs fall far short of even the lesser cuts off an album like Home or Broken Barricades. In an apparent attempt to sound contemporary, Reid''s lyrics are, atypically, bland and generic. While most drummers would suffer in comparison with B.J. Wilson, the drumming on this album is uniformly faceless. Not a bad album, just not good Procol Harum.