1st Album...Plus Review

07/13/2005 6:29 AM, AMG


The first ten tracks of this CD are the songs found on Procol Harum, the group's vital self-titled debut album. This expanded edition, however, is not just for compulsive collectors, adding no less than ten additional tracks (including the smash single "A Whiter Shade of Pale," which appeared on the U.S. version of the LP, but not the U.K. one). Also on board are "Lime Street Blues," the bluesy B-side of "A Whiter Shade of Pale"; "Homburg," the outstanding follow-up single to "A Whiter Shade of Pale"; alternate versions of four songs from the Procol Harum album; and alternates of three songs from their second album, Shine on Brightly (four if you include "Homburg," which was also included on that LP). The alternates are all in excellent fidelity, except "Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)," taken from an acetate, although even that is quite listenable; these alternates often differ noticeably, though not radically, from the familiar versions. It's a good opportunity for serious fans of the band to get a more complete picture of their early studio work, bolstered by informed, detailed liner notes. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide