"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer 

Since there is no video of Bach or Beethoven available - I am going to go ahead and say that this 2006 performance is the greatest LIVE musical performance that I have ever seen. This is a truly Iconic song & Gary never sounded better - mix in the choir, organ and the National Symphony Orchestra and it is pure magic!!!

The oboe and organ got to me. Gary’s voice was absolutely stunning.

A Whiter Shade of Pale was a masterpiece when it first came, and this performance adds layers upon layers of sweet goodness to it.

Oh my gosh, the first time I heard this version, I cried. And all subsequent listens still give me goosebumps. This song came out 2 years before I was born & I don't think I heard it very often on the radio, but enough that when the organ came in, I remembered & was transported back in time. Whenever I hear grand orchestral or choral music in any song it gives me a glimmer of hope for humanity. At our best we are capable of things such as these. It reminds me to each day strive to be a better version of myself, rather than trudging through life barely surviving the onslaught of daily news. Which is how I find myself here!

I got tears in my eyes when I first saw this video, years ago…

This version of this song being played live always hits the feels.

Like a fine wine Gary’s rendition here aged finely! One for the ages!

Not sure about you…I’m 68 years old. I’ve seen and done some terrible things…I’ve seen and done some wonderful things..I can’t remember crying about any of it…this version of this song makes me shed a tear or two every time. A+ reaction,sir …well done

I tear up every time I hear this! Just magnificent! His voice cuts through with perfect pitch! Wow!❤

😶What is it about this song?! I've watched 4 reactors do this in a row and I still tear up every single time! Is it the Music, the lyrics, the organ, the choral singers, the strings, his voice??!! I just Love this and yet can hardly listen to it and not cry!

The orchestral arrangement was added to their repertoire in 1971 and first recorded in Canada with the Edmonton Symphony. It blew my mind then 🙃and still blows me way... 😎

Thanks, Jeff. Man, that song takes me right back to 1967 when it was released. It gives me tears of nostalgia.

You take a classic rock song from 1968/1969, add an orchestra and choir and it becomes an amazing masterpiece

Why does this always bring tears? RIP Gary

He's still got it, what a performance!

I'm an old FOH guy, and you know what I mean when I say there are moments that transcend a "performance." This was one of those moments that can only be defined as magic.

🇨🇦 1967's anthem ! Two things ! 1) #InMyHumbleOpinion the Best music created, written, played, or sung in the last Century, was performed between 1959 & 1989 ! #BoomersRock 2) The Danish National Symphony Orchestra holds many of these concerts and some are outdoors like this one ! They often include invited guests like the British Rock Band, Procol Harum ! The DNSO consists of over 70 Choir members and over 100 Musicians ! Second only to this song is Procol Harums "Conquistador" ! 🇨🇦

This song is so beautiful it makes you want to cry

Listen to "A Salty Dog" and "An Old English Tale" from the same concert. Brilliant !.

RIP Gary Brooker

This entire concert, which I have on DVD, is fabulous. Their version of Conquistador, A Salty Dog, Simple Sister and Grand Hotel are second to none.

There are songs that are timeless. This is one of them.

This is certainly one for the ages!

Легендарное произведение!!! Вспомнил свою молодость.Спасибо Вам за память об этой группе.С Уважением и приветом из Санкт-Петербурга!!! Россия.

Must have watched this video 100 times since i first saw it about 5 years ago. Epic!

Considering that Gary Brooker was 60 years old there, this is the best performance of their song. It would be pretty rare to have a singer and his song sound better at 60 than at 20, but this is what he achieved. His older voice had a timbre that couldn't be found in twenty-something vocal cords. Truly remarkable performance. RIP Gary

every time I hear this song it completely fills me with emotion and I end up feeling a mixture of pride in the music and composition but also a strange sadness that I cannot explain. Absolutely love how they composed it and as has been said many times the mix of the band, the orchestra and the choir is perfection. Great reaction, thank you so much

Was love from age 14 on a transistor radio to age 73 on high tech headphones. This was amazing!

I too have enjoyed this masterpiece before. Beautiful rendition. I hope some of your younger fans can appreciate this true classic. Thanks Jeff

Better than the original which I loved since I was 10 years old.

A salty dog. Same venue is awesome!

There is nothing like a Hammond organ and Leslie speakers.

Grew up in the UK listening to some iconic bands. This tune tops the list for me. A classic❤

this concert video, IMO, is one of the best ever. this song is one in particular that i can remember the first time i heard it being played. it was Christmas time and i was at Ye Olde Leather shop in Wilmington VT getting fitted for a suede leather jacket with stars on the cuffs that i was buying for myself. it was snowing and the entire village was decorated with gold lights for the holidays. i love how music can evoke such fond memories decades later. its one reason i like reaction videos. they let me relive that excitement and joy vicariously through RU-vidrs like yourself. does anyone else get the chills when they hear an oboe? i find it to be one of my favorite sounds. that and french or english horns. so mellow sounding. for me, their best album is A Salty Dog. i would love to hear Leonid and Friends cover this with their orchestral friends in tow? tyvm for posting. ☮❤🙏

Rest in Peace Mr Gary Brooker.

I was in college when this came out and I've loved ever since. The orchestral arrangement and choir just takes it to another level. And Gary's voice is not only strong but brings a certain gravitas to this beautiful classic song. Bravo👏👏

I've seen this video a lot of times and it always moves me. Such a great rendition.

Even if you didn't like the song you would still have to love the arrangement...

Now you need to follow this up with the live version of “Salty Dog” from this same concert. Another true masterpiece.

MERCI de nous rappeler ce succès phénoménal!..vous êtes un connaisseur ! ok GARY ..

Always punctual and indispensable! Good boy!!!👍

Our watched it, as all music lovers do. In awe, and in appreciation of what you are seeing, and hearing. It is one of the best live performances, of all time.

Yes, I agree. Thank you. East Tennessee, USA. ❤

He was a genius,you ought to hear him do the Salty Dog,at the same concert!

An exceptional song, an emotional performance by Gary Brooker and memories from all those years ago... It's satisfying to do it every once in a while. Totally agree with you, Jeff.

Спасибо тебе за твою доброту и душевность.

Besser geht es nicht ! 👍👍👍👍👍 Grüße aus Heisingen (Germany)

I first heard this song 50 years ago and It still brings back beautiful memories.Thank you so much ,if you can,listen to Nights in White satín.Greetings from Mallorca❤

One of my all time favorite songs and performances.

Just watching your reactions is satisfaction enough for me meeting you. Yes, I’m in total agreement, this is a superlative version. I believe it was in the nineties I saw Gary do PH’s most revered songs while he toured in Ringo’s All Star band. A real treat! Since you loved that performance, I have to recommend “A Salty Dog” from the same concert, live in Denmark in 2006. It’s my all time favorite Procol Harum song and the orchestra and choir here just make the arrangement soar!

Love this song. I actually prefer the studio version from the 60's as it is the one I grew up on. This live version is very good though as it shows how powerful Gary Brooker's voice was even as he got older. "Conquistador" is another great song by Procol Harum. Sad to hear of his passing recently.

You really need to listen to the original record to get the full impact. I can still recognise it from the first few notes. Please listen to the original version😊

Harmonically organ epic part reminds Bach's Air on a G string.

Heartfelt performance! Thank you!!

something told me you'd enjoy this one ;) ❤

Thank you, Sir1

This is just magical. 50 years after it was recorded, this version is a masterpiece.

Rest in peace Gary. The strings definitely enhanced the already sad and ethereal lyrics of the song. Choir was good. I guess Lennon used to get.... happy and listen to this over and over and over. Yeah you're hooked into the story with the opening lyrics and just want to keep listening... happy or not. But a great performance of a truly iconic song. 🎹🍷💙

Epic.

Love your reviews, by the way! You are a musician and know not to talk over music! Thanks!

I was going to request this one, one of my favorite songs

Triggers memories that fit into my pre 1995 set of standards. Outstanding video. Thank you for this great request.

This was John Lennon's favorite song when it was released. He used to play the record in the back of his Rolls Royce limo on the portable turntable he had put into the back of the driver's seat...

King Curtis’ version of this live at Fillmore West is worth a listen as well

This is Gary Brooker, died March 2022. They had other big hits as well if you would like to look them up. FROM UK

SOME BACKGROUND: The concert was filmed at the Ledreborg Castle in Denmark w-the Royal Danish Concert Orchestra. It has been "the most-played song in public places for more than 75 years." There have been some misconceptions surrounding the meaning of the song - see ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Pf73XwiZIFQ.html for the interview w-composer/lead singer Gary Brooker & writer Keith Reid. Gary was founder of the band begun in '67; Gary passed away in February of 2022, Keith passed in March of 2023. It is also said that Reid was "going to reveal the true meaning before he died" but he died before he explained anything. Many people believe it was about a drunken one-night stand. Contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach but was inspired by & does reference Bach's "Sleepers, Wake!" and "Air on the G String!" As per Reid, the line "as the miller told his tale" is definitely not a reference to Chaucer's Miller's Tale. Reid has repeatedly explained he had never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale. Procol Harum is said to be the name of a friend's cat. The name is a mis-spelling of the Latin phrase Procul Harun (roughly meaning "far beyond these things"), or that it was a corruption of Procellarm, a vast ocean on the Moon. In Roman Times Vestal Virgins were priestesses and acquired their name after Vesta. the goddess of the hearth and home. It was their duty to not only keep the home fires burning but to also remain a virgin for 30 years. AMAZING SONG - AMAZING GARY! COURT CASE: Matthew Fisher, a founding member and the organist of Procol Harum, won a High Court battle over who wrote “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” He played organ on the 1967 recording of the hit, which was long credited to lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid, and Fisher argued that he wrote the distinctive organ melody. And on December 20, 2006, Justice William Blackburne ruled that Fisher was entitled to 40 percent of the copyright. Fisher had wanted half (50%) but the court decided that lead singer Gary Brooker’s input was more substantial.

One of the greatest songs ever written I love it!!!!

Classic 👏

Great reaction, Jeff. I see this is frequently acclaimed as their best performance of this song. Other than hearing this song many times when it came out, I didn't know a whole lot about Procol Harem. Looking at the lyrics again, I really could not follow the story. Then I did a search and found that due to the length of the song, two of the original verses were dropped. After reading them, I was more confused than ever. Maybe it's just my age. Anyway, the article I read brought out some interesting facts about the song and the group. Do a search on - A Whiter Shade of Pale hits 50: a 10-point guide to its riddles - to read the article.

Check out a live concert of Pavarotti and James Brown singing “It’s A Man’s World!

I was there, I’m a Danish woman and you could probably hear my panties hit the floor. 😊

Amazing masterpiece!

The only production of a song that I can compare this to is 'McArthur Park', also performed before a full orchestra with Richard Harris doing the lead vocals. I believe it went all the way up to #2 in the charts.

Concert: 2006 Denmark

Great video always have loved this song since I was a child, thank you great reaction ...... I would love you to react to a song which changed my life forever.. this guy is going to change a lot of peoples lives like he has helped and changed mine, he sings about Religion, Faith, Mental illness, Hope & Humanity in a very honest way, please please please could you react to REN - "HI REN" he is a producer, musician and he did this video all in one take. welcome to the rabbit hole of REN🐇

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

Should have went for the original studio version first.

Couldn't hide your emotions could you?

could you put the youtube ad in a worse place? I think not.