Comments for Procol harum, The Long Goodbye-Symphonic Music of Procol Harum

Couldn't disagree more! I've loved Procol Harum's music since The Paramounts - A Salty Dog, Shine On Brightly and Grand Hotel are on my list of all-time favorite records, but I think this "Symphonic" stuff is a load of doggie doo. Why remake classics with tepid versions? Doesn't Dylan do enough of this? I have all of the band's LP's, 45's, remastered LP's and CD's and many live tapes andvideos, but I just cannot stomach this album. Oh well this is just the opinion of one fan.

I'm in the middle of extremes on this album--in some ways it was a perfecting of the "Live" album with much better scoring, tighter band work, and what-all than the original. On the other hand, some of the pieces, such as James Galway's little take on "Pandora's Box" and Tom Jones' appearance on "Simple Sister" were musical kitsch at best. As a long-time Procol fan, I'll admit that some of Gary Brooker's efforts took a little getting used to after hearing nothing but the "classic" versions for 20+ years. But the alternative interpretations did grow on me. Fairly well-engineered album as to sound quality.

The first of these "Symphonic Music of..." albums to make sense, I love some of these remakes and the sound is demonstration-record quality. By and large, the song selection, arrangements, and performances are terrific; Brooker is in excellent voice, Tower''s guitar soars over the orchestra, and Fisher is delightful on the pipe organ. "Simple Sister," however, is sluggish under the overburdened arrangement and Tom Jones'' overly-loungy vocal. (It seems pointless to even attempt a remake of "Simple Sister" without the commanding presence of the late B.J. Wilson''s drums, too.) "Pandora''s Box" veers too near elevator music for comfort, too; Galway''s ok, but a little too soothing. "The Long Goodbye" is an adequate song, but not a strong closer, given the power of so much of this music. My biggest complaint, though, is that the Brooker-Fisher-Trower trio doesn''t appear *together* on a single track! It would''ve been nice to hear them together again. Complaints aside, I''m thrilled to have this album, and hope that it''s a harbinger of more, new Procol music. James A. Gardner

Familiar titles, yes. Another "best of" album, definitelynot. All the songs are fully orchestrated, and three separateorchestras were used in producing the album. It`s basically the1995 version of their classic "Live with the Edmonton SymphonyOrchestra" album of the early 70s. Matthew Fisher and Robin Trower return for Repent Walpurgis, complete withMatthew on an actual church organ in London...tremendous.As a long time fan, though, I was saddened a little to see Matthewand Robin listed as "guest" artists. I just hope the "longgoodbye" isn`t a permanent one.