I have watched 5 different reaction channels for this song. I get tears in my eyes every time. This is the best live performance I have ever seen of any song. Gary Brooker has the perfect smokey blues voice for this remarkable song. He passed away not long after this performance. He was well into his 60’s in this performance. No auto tune, no flash pots , no laser show. Just a masterpiece of music and a voice emoting pain suffering and resignation. R. I. P. Gary Brooker.
"He passed away not long after this performance." ---- He was well into his 60’s in this performance." This version of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was from 2006. Gary Brooker passed away on February 19, 2022, less than one full year ago ----- and that was 16 years after this performance at the age of 61 years old, not "well into his 60's." Gary's death was not really "not long after this performance."
Gary was one of the greatest singers ever and this song was one of the best in music history. Gary wrote and composed this along with a few other individuals. Phenomenal performance!!
Oh awesome Liz, this is the most beautiful version of this iconic song from the 60s. Gary's voice is even more awesome than it was when he was in his 20's. "Whiter Shade of Pale" is one of those "definition" songs of the era it was in. Powerful, beautiful, different, psychedelic, and wonderful. We might never hear this kind of music again and so it is awesome that we have this awesome recording for all time. Peace my friend.
John Lennon once said that Whiter shade of Pale was his favorite all time song. I love it also yes you pronounced the name right both times. It is one mysterious eerie melody but beautiful. I think it might be about an LSD trip which I don't condone but that would describe the imagery of the lyrics.
Hey Liz 😁 No, you didn't butcher anything you got it right the first time. Seems none of us are having an easy time these days, but at least we can share some tunes with you and, for a bit, forget everything else 🌹👼
Thank you 🥺💗 and that’s so true I feel like we’re all going through something especially with how the world is right now... music always helps to bring us back and recenter our energy
Glad I wasn't at this concert, sitting on a waterside chair. I'd be so mesmerized by this amazing song, I would have fallen over and drowned. Then Procol Harum would have felt guilty and sang at my funeral. What a cool way to go.
The late Gary Brooker's vocals were good in 1967 when this great song debuted, but like fine wine, as he aged, his vocals got even better. This performance however truly came together. The National Danish Symphony Orchestra is one of the most balanced in the world. Each section doesn't try to override the others, but they blend in together equally. The chorus fits right in with the instruments without trying to overshadow them. You need to go back and finish listening to this great masterpiece to the end. Gary, the band and the orchestra are exactly on the same bar at the end.
@@pamagnolia and you did well. I guess if you’ve grown up with Procol it’s all second nature: and I suppose as a Latin speaker it’s an advantage!😁 I’m so grateful that you chose PH and the irreplaceable Gary Brooker MBE. I cried when he died: his songwriting is on a higher level than almost any contemporary song-writer. I’ve just bought a guitar from the lovely and brilliant Geoff Whitehorn, PH’s guitarist: his own build. Listen to “Strong as Sampson” from Exotic Birds and Fruit,” original recording. It’s beyond exquisite. Best wishes, Tom T 😁🎸x
I'm so glad you got to this one - a masterpiece in every possible way! Please feel free to record another go-round with this when your phone is acting better! It's worth it even as a re-watch because the flow and the build is so beautiful right to the end! Bless you.
Your reactions bring a smile to a Old Man, has I had some of the same feelings when I first heard, some of your choices, 55 yrs ago. Keep exploring music Girl
Gary Brooker - Lizzie in his early 60 s sounds as good as he did at 21 or so when he sang this great song with his band. Minus the orchestra of course.Probably my favorite ( greatest song to me ). Ever. Spot on in your review. Original vesion quite excellent too.It was a big hit and very popular when it came out. How cool it must be to be him today and see how the many different generations keep loving it as if it just came out.
Joe, I must agree with you. I listened to this song in ‘67 on my battery operated AM radio as well as all others. This is an all time favorite and may Gary Brooker RIP
Oh my Liz, this one takes me back to my teen years. Although the original came out in 1967 I remember hearing it a lot on the radio in the early seventies. Gary Brooker, the white haired fellow at the piano, is the lead singer from the original line up and he sounds as good as he did back then, maybe a little gruffer do to the decades that have passed as we all do.
I remember when this came out. The music from the 60's and 70's is some of the best ever. Keep on this path. There are so many awesome songs and artists...
SweetLiz, first time here. The writer is Gary Booker. I’m terribly sorry to say that he passed away on February 19, 2022. He died of cancer. Just prior to his passing Proco Harem, including Gary Booker, were playing concerts. This song originally came out in 1967, and has been played ever since. My initial introduction to this song, my first ever boyfriend, who had recently graduated high school took me to a dance. Our last dance of the night, the dj played this song. When we got to my house, he walked me to the door and said he had to break up with me. I screamed and started crying, my parents came out the door. Ricky then told my parents, he was leaving for basic training the next morning. He was being dropped at the bus station in the morning at 5:30am. He was going to the Viet Nam War. I never heard from again. This song is absolutely amazing bringing back great memories through the following years and one very very sad memory. I truly hope you get to hear this beautiful song again as well as all oh Proco Harem’s songs. Very best wishes.
Superbly rearranged old hit, excellent musical form of the band and orchestra, great recording quality (you can hear every instrument). And over it all floats Brooker's charismatic, pained voice.
Good Reaction and a life lesson learned. Give yourself more charge. I guarantee you will never make that mistake again and it's a shame as we missed the very end and the audience ovation that they all deserved/
Lizzie, enjoyed your reaction as well as your explanations of what you felt and understood. This is a rock anthem IMO. Not only one of those stand alone songs of our generation, but delivered by a voice as strong as the first time I heard it. Wish you all the best. I’m tuned in.
Nice to see you Liz can't believe I miss this one last week miss you girl baby girl says hi to you and Barry you should check out the original great song great reaction Berry keep her in line smile girl smile🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥✌🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
The singer is Gary Brooker who wrote the song with two of the other original members of the band Keith Reid and Matt Fischer. Brooker sounds as good as he first sang the song
Thank you. I had never heard this version before, it was so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Grew up with this music. It's hard to explain how this and other music of the 70s, wove such a unique atmosphere. Glad you're discovering it.(I'm a sucker for instrumental/orchestra too! With that in mind, if you haven't yet, check out the Moody Blues, especially "The Question" :) )
Loved it when it was released in 1967, still do. Keep in mind this was done in 2006, voice is incredible. A beautiful, timeless song. Keep up the good work
Liz, wonderful reaction. It's perfectly fine, you got the whole song including all the vocals. But I'm with you on loving instrumentals, and the instrumental parts in this song. You had a perfectly appropriate reaction to this song, you gave it all the respect. Ha, when I saw how it cut off near the end, i just mentally cried "Oh, sweetheart, it's all right!" LOL.
Thanks for listening to your mom Lizzie!😃 I've loved this song since it came out in 67 when I was in college. And the singer, Gary Brooker, sounds about the same. Great reaction Lizzie! And yes, it would be nice to see you react to the original. Thanks again to you and your mom!🤗
Pro-kol Hair’em …. You did wonderful listening to the song and not stopping and starting it numerous times like almost all others do… Kudos to you for listening and talking all over the song… Find the version that has the third and final verse in it and you will love the song even more… This has been my favorite song since I heard it the very first time in 1967. It will be played at my last rites…Take care, God bless!
This is a breath of fresh air compared to today's standards, this was preformed perfectly by the orchestra and Garry Brooker the singer, his voice is still strong, I think you are great judge of musical talent thank you for your reaction, 🌹
One more thing here... This guy has some balls to push this display as any kind of representation of the Original Song. I don't see any of the other BAND members involved in this. Hey since you Quit early, why don't you give yourself a real treat and listen to the Original version from the late 1960's. The guy singing this 2006 version also sings the original, and with the entire BAND in on it. I think you'll like it, just remember these are 2 completely different animals here. You won't recognize what he is trying to pass off as the same song?! I believe that you will find that it was worth your time to do this... Promise! Keep Smiling...
Liz thanks for playing this. Gary Brooker was so underrated I don't have the words for it. Great song and rendition of it. A couple of other people that may have been underrated and I'll give you a song from each. Eric Clapton "Old Love"and Ray Charles,Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell "A Song for You". I do believe Ray does it alone at some point as well.Thanks for your work.
I (74) grew up with this song, it is full of memories for me! This version is THE masterpiece, fantastic harmony. An emotional song touches me a lot. I can listen to it again and again.... R.I.P. GARY BROOKER
No less of a band than The Beatles were fans of this song and group, and that says a lot. This song came out about the time I was born, and it was EVERYWHERE! It's still one of the greatest songs of all time. The lead singer sounds just as good today as he did in the '60's. Just an amazing video, and a great review. You nailed this review. You should compare the original recording with this version to really appreciate how well these guys have held up over time. Don't worry about the phone, you got this song completely. Great job.
Saw Gary/Procul Harum in 1967, when I was 10 years old, at the Empire Pool Wembley, in London, my hometown. Just Gary’s vocals, an organ, a piano, and a couple of guitars. Epic, iconic. He was a beautiful man with an extraordinary voice. RIP Gary, you’re so missed here in your homeland. God bless you 💔🏴🇬🇧
Hi Lizzie, They had you at the first sound of the orchestra's string section!!! Well done Gangster Hippie, keep on bringing this excellent old school music to the forefront!!! I salute you and appreciate you for all of the joy you are spreading!!! Have a blessed day!!!
I've watched several "first time" reactions too this song. I've also bypassed a few but when you said your mom also suggested i had too watch your reaction. Good huh? :) Props too your mom. This is in the top 5 songs of my favorites. Enjoy! And thank you for not interrupting every minute.
