Procol Harum: A Whiter Shade of Pale (Live) REACTION/ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 319) 

RIP Gary… you left us one of the greatest versions of one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Thank you 🙏

Always loved this song. This version, in particular, makes me a little teary in its grandness. RIP Gary Brooker.

Gary Brooker said of his composition in his interview with Uncut magazine: _"If you trace the chordal element, it does a bar or two of Bach's 'Air on a G String' before it veers off. That spark was all it took. I wasn't consciously combining rock with classical, it's just that Bach's music was in me."_ I know I've read more detailed explanation of what the song was about (lyrically). ISTR that it has to do with people in a bar having a good time and swapping stories, and one of the guys tells a story he had heard of a tryst someone had with a married woman, and it turns out that woman is working at the bar. So as she realizes that _"the truth is plain to see"_ that the story he's telling is about *her* affair, she turns a "whiter shade of pale". But I have also heard several other descriptions of what the lyrics are about. To me the main feeling the song gives off is one of regret. Looking back on some event which seemed really fun at the time, but now you know it was a major mistake and there's no way you can undo that mistake.

"A Salty Dog" and "Conquistador" from this band would also be great songs to react to and analyze.

It reminds you of Air on G String becayuse that's what it's based on, that also explains why you get the "Baroque" vibe, after all it is JS Bach

This is where classic rock began. When it came out, John Lennon had it on repeat play. Any time a person told Ringo that Sgt Peppers was the best thing ever recorded, he would comment that it wasn't even the best thing to come out that year - that honor went to "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

Each year one of the major Dutch radio stations hosts the top2000 where everyone votes for 35 of their favorite songs and the top 2000 are played starting christmas and ending at midnight 31st of december when the new year starts. This year this song climbed up from 153 the previous year all the way to 3 as a tribute to Peter R De Vries, an investigative journalist and crime reporter who was shot dead. This was one of his favorite songs.

Such a powerful performance, gives me chills. Growing up as a classically trained pianist, I've always been a sucker for combining orchestra and rock music. Brooker's voice is like a fine wine, improving over the years.

I really wish you’d have used the original studio recording. Stunningly haunting; the Hammond B3 is what makes the song

Once again featuring a song that was instrumental (sorry!) in developing my musical taste. I think you probably only need to do some Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash and you've about covered everything...

Gotta check out "Conquistador" from the same concert. A beautiful atmospheric composition, and my personal favorite Procol Harem tune. Cheers Doug!

I love this version. Brooker’s voice is so powerful but has a maturity from the original.

Thank you for the good music from Prokol Harum and singer Gary Brooker. He died 19. Febr. 22. RIP Gary for the music all time and "A whiter shade of pale" and original from 1967- in the Flower-Power Generation and - time. Best regards from Germany!

Nothing beats the original. This is great version, but the original transcends time and space.

Unsolicited...maybe shoulda done the original song. They deliver though! Ever heard of Alexander Peskonov? Russian pianist/composer. My 86 yr old mom still teaches Advanced Russian Technique piano! Thanks for your knowledge. It's what i grew up with.

There is a wonderful version of A Salty Dog from this same concert. It is a terrific song in its own right with a beautiful melody.

So glad you listened to this song and this is a wonderful version. But, please take the time to listen to the original. The one we listened to back in the 60s. Totally different and really, in my humble opinion, is the best. Please keep it up, Doug. Fantastic work with all of your reactions.

This version is good, but the studio version gives you chills still after all of these years.

All due respect for the recommendation of this wonderful song, but this is NOT the preferred version.

"Conquistador" live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is AMAZING

Redicoulus. Wasted time. Cringe. 67 version the only one. No other magic. Have a big smoke instead. Embarrasing you even tried?

"It reminds me of Air on a G String...." haha, no kidding??

A Salty Dog is one of the most beautiful tracks ever. Original release.

Hi…In your capacity as serious musician please have a listen to the album ‘Divers’ by Joanna Newsom…it’s like nothing else…!

"As the miller told his tale" from Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. I had a teacher, Mr. Dyer, in 11th grade in S.F. and he LOVED this song; always reminds me of this dear man.

Heey doug good evening, pls react to black napkins by Frank Zappa... i'm sure you will find some gold in it. Great vídeo has aways. 🇧🇷

Been by that castle many times. I was born and raised in Denmark and both my grandparents lived close to this castle. Always loved this song and of course this is my favorite version.

Procol Harum were a great band that lived in the psychedelic-pop lobe of the prog amoeboid. Their lyrics are very evocative if ambiguous, but the melodies are quite lovely. Other tracks to consider: "Whaling Stories", "Conquistador" (the 1973 version with Edmonton SO backing), "Homburg", "Repent, Walpurgis", and so many more. Enjoy!

You should give the album version it's own listen; the orchestra, for me, detracts from the feel. When are we going to get to the interesting German bands of the period like Can, Faust, Neu, etc.? Perhaps you could see how the Council of Doug feel about a German week?

The "Air on a G String" comparison? I learned that this was based on that back in high school music theory class in the 80's... (Vineland, NJ, class of '92... Mrs. Rampulla's and Mr. Testa's classes...)

A few weeks ago, I and a bunch of musician friends put on a show to memorialize a fellow musician, a drummer, who passed away last year. This was his favorite song, having asked to play it a number of times we played together. This was one of the highlights of that show. When we played it in his memory there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

RIP Gary Brooker

You just witnessed one of Rock's Royalty, Gary Brooker, just KILLING it 50 years later. Beyond amazing.

Thanks, Doug! How about "Ommadawn" by Mike Oldfield?

This is beautiful. I’m old enough to remember the original recording. One of the few songs where the emotions of the lyrics match the emtions of the music…. Fabulous.

Check out Yes Symphonic.

Cool! I would be very interested to see your thoughts on Procol Harum’s “In Held ‘Twas I”. One of the earliest side-long epic tracks. The version from “Live in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra” is especially great!

For me, this song is the most beautiful song ever. She transcended that 1967 Summer of Love and conquered time. Every year that passes she gets more and more wonderful. I love her. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

It is based on Bachs Air on a G string...Gary Brooker stated he was noodling on the piano one day trying to play the piece and couldnt remember it exactly and got a bit lost playing it but liked the sound of what he played and eventually it became Whiter Shade of Pale . this performance is true perfection, the location the orchestra, the choir and his vocals etc...and im glad you mentioned the oboe...that kills me every time i listen to this performance. What makes this even more compelling is if you noitce near the end you can see the set list and tihs was near the end, so hed already been singing for a good hour or so by now !...

This song was played on my godfathers funeral, while I was one of his pallbearers, it holds a special place in my heart forever. I love your reaction to the song, does it really justice how awesome procol harum is

Please give "John Barleycorn" by Traffic a go...I think you'll appreciate it.

A Salty Dog from that show is awesome

Please could you look at an english 70's band from the "canterbury scene" called Caravan and their most beautiful piece of music " Nine feet Underground" (near 23:00 ) In their album " In the Land of Grey and pink " (1971)

I remember when this song came out . 1967

Mate, you gotta listen to some Deep Purple from this era (late 60s). Pre-Mk2 lineup Deep Purple very much had a classical-baroque inspired sound on some tracks due to Jon Lord's classical influences. Here are some favourites of mine from that era: - "Shield" and "Anthem" from 1968's "The Book Of Taliesyn" - "Blind" and "April" from their 1969 self titled album

I was 18 in '67, and this song seemed to rule that summer. Everybody loved it.

In a similar vein check out ELP's Knife's edge contrasted with the first movement of Leoš Janáček 's orchestral piece Sinfonietta

This is based on Canterbury Tales...specifically the incredibly bawdy miller's tale.

Great Band! Gary Brooker played with the Concert For George musicians (tribute to the late George Harrison). Please take a look Grand Hotel song from the Grand Hotel album.

Hi Doug, Great song one of my favorites. You should check out Robin Trower ..Bridge of Sighs . Robin was Procol Harum's guitarist from 67 to 71. He was a great influence on my playing.

The song writing actually started with Brooker playing Air on a G String, but he couldn't remember all of it so he developed the tune from there. The similiarity is not accidental. You could also check out the Danish National Orchestra's rendition of Ennio Morricone's The Good The Bad and The Ugly - if nothing else, then for pure entertainment. Aslo, unusual instruments, perhaps surprising effects and voice control, the image of Clint Eastwood and a very unusual (for a classical concert) visual effect from the ceiling.

Do yourself a favor, Doug, and check out 1972's "Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra." Especially the Suite on Side Two, "In Held Twas In I." Enough said.

Gary said in an interview that he thought this song would be forgotten in 10 years. But the youngsters kept asking for it. He never dreamed that this masterpiece would still be asked for.

In 1975, I heard a snippet of this song from the radio of a passing car. It wouldn't be until 1979 that I heard it complete! So much time I wasted, trying to hum that little bit to other folks..."It sounds like..."

It is most certainly baroque as Whiter Shade of Pale is heavily based on J.S. Bach's music. It's pretty well a classical cross-over piece. Just don't try an analyse the lyrics. nb. I don't know who the choral singer is at 6:45, but I've kind of fallen in love with her...

"He nicked it from Bach".

Some sad news, I'm afraid. It was announced on on 19th February 2022 that Mr Gary Brooker had passed away. Very sad RIP

Huh? Analyze the old farts' version? Why? Why? Why?

The song is inspired by, if not actually based on J.S. Bach's Air in G, from his Third Orchestral Suite.

Gary said that Air on a G String definitely inspired him to write this song...Rest in sweet peace, Gary...thank you a life of love for this song.

I have to say it's 'almost' unbelievable you didn't know this song, especially once the organ + band kicked in at 04:55. This really does ramp us some significant suspicion of a RU-vid channel click baiting - and perhaps a little disrespectful to your viewers. Yes, it's possible you may not have heard this song but, for a rather obvious reason, extremely unlikely. This one of the most memorable and frequently played songs there is.

For something completely different, how about Clannad's rendition of the Irish Gaelic song "Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair"? It's a lament of a man, who loved a brown haired girl, left her for a year to earn enough money for them to be married but when he returned she had not waited... Studio version from "Magical Ring", please. EDIT: To showcase the whole family, you could also include something by Enya, and also something by their youngest sister Bridin Brennan (for example her song “Don’t Go” inspired by the “City of Angels” film).

Sounds cool, but nothing beats the original intro. ---> Ok, the singing totally sold this version; Brooker sounds amazing.

You should listen to April Sky by Vinnie Moore... It based on Arioso and Air by JS Bach 🙏

Try "A Salty Dog" from the same concert. Think you will love it.

"Repent Walpurgis", and "A Salty Dog" are rewarding tunes. Annie Lennox maybe made the best cover of Whiter Shade. Procul Harum was a fine band (but they weren't the Moody Blues...).

I think you should have concentrated more on the performance than tinkering about yourself.Though if you play any Procol Harum songs 🎵 it'll watch as they are for me the finest band of all time

You’re not doing yourself or anyone else any favours by playing that silly keyboard during a majestic bit of music like that?

Thank you for doing this. I’m 72. This has been a go to for me for years. Thanks again.

was rock music outlawed in your house as a child? how is it you’ve never heard any of these songs?

No, no, no, Doug!! Though this is lovely, it ain't the same as the original organ intro!! Please listen to the original and you will see the difference! This should be gritty and painful, and the orchestra sweetens it too much. My opinion, but contrast this to the version with the Edmonton Orchestra, which grips you by the throat and twists.

I get all the old school cats saying this isn't as good as the original studio version yada yada yada. I've heard both, I grew up in the 70's and 80's. And For anyone to say that pure sound quality isn't better now than then is out of touch with reality. There no way it isn't better. The instrument quality equipment quality, microphones, etc is a thousand times better now. Therefore is more clear and therefore more real. There no distortions that hide minor imperfections or lack thereof. The fact Booker sounds so damn good now says so much more and you all are robbing him of that by saying it's not as good now. It's like saying now that we got a clearer version of you it's not as good. Your just saying you'd rather stay in the past regardless of growth for the better

This is one of the best live vocal performances I've ever seen. It is so powerful and riveting. It gives me goosebumps every time.

Noooooo. It has to be the original. No orchestra. There is something about the original studio version that hasn't been duplicated by any other version. I don't know why people keep insisting on the version you did. Don't get me wrong. It has it's merits, but it is the haunting sound of the the organ that made it iconic, and the orchestra over powers it. You haven't even mentioned it. For your edification do the original. Maybe by another reactor (DayOne Reacts). She is the only one that did the original and the haunting sound really effected her.

The writer, in an interview, stated he wanted to write lyrics like a Dali painting where you have to study it to understand it. You are correct in that there were 4 verses with the 4th removed because they didn’t thing the writing was as good as the first three but the 3rd was also removed simply to reduce the length of the song for radio play. You are correct in that the first verse is about a guy essentially having the time of his life, dancing and drinking and so engrossed in the moment that “…the ceiling flew away…” meaning the emotions were so strong that nothing outside of those emotions existed. Now the second verse is the opposite. His woman is breaking up with him and his is in utter grief. The writer stated this is a ‘love story, from the woman’s perspective’. A fun fact in that the very is line “We skipped the light fandango” is borrowed from a Poe written in 1652 by John Milton that included the phrasing “we tripped the light fantastic”. The writer changed “tripped” which implies an unintended foot movement to “skipped” meaning an intentional foot movement and he changed “fantastic” to “fandango” to refer to a specific type of music. There are hints in the two verses that this occurred on a cruise ship which is further reinforced in the 3rd verse. Beautiful song. Excellent writing and this performance is terrific.

I just heard that Gary Brooker died a couple of days ago. 😞 R.I.P.

The In Held 'Twas in I with the Edmonton Orchestra and Choir should also be covered. That's a great piece. Procul Harum and the Moodies pretty much started off the Progressive Rock style.

An Epic Masterpiece that will out live us all!!! Gary Brooker's voice simply got better with time!!! This was "born" in 1967 when I was 15, and I've loved it since!!!🎵🎼🎶🥁🎤🎙🎸🎹🔥💕

Not sure why they pushed this version. If you had heard the original you would have known right away that is is based on Bach.

For your benefit, do go back and listen to the original studio version. No reaction necessary; just do it to hear the lead vocal from decades earlier and how adding the live orchestra and choir changed the feel.

Dunno man, first you took forever to get to Procol Harum , then use the wrong version of the song to analyze . Huh ???

Talking over a fantastic vocal performance…

SKY OVERTURE by Uli Jon Roth!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Doug you need to stay in the 60s and 70s for a while. There is soo much great music that will always eclipse the crap thats produced in these modern times ! btw Procul's Conquistador (Live ) is a smokin track !

Hard to imagine you haven’t heard this before. It rates in the UK as one of … if not THE most requested song! … and I agree with the other comment here that the original is still the best. Procol Harum also did an album with an orchestra … Edmonton Symphony I think? … that yielded the hit Conquistador which would only sound right played with an orchestra, but Whiter Shade is best in its original form. I think the orchestra in the beginning … in particular … washes out the effect of that amazing organ line and diminishes the overall effect.

You should do a reaction to In Held Twas In I from 1968 - ind of The earliest progressive pieces running approximately 20 mins.

Doug, my favorite from that Danish concert is "A Salty Dog," which makes great use of the Danish National Concert Orchestra Choir. A must hear - (Also: "Conquistador")

RIP. Gary Brooker. You are The Best!!! 🙏🏻😔💫✨🌟

Imagine Bach's 'Air on a G String' meets Percy Sledge "When A Man Loves a Woman" (from 1966), which was in the zeitgeist of this composition. I always imagined Procol Harum as the marriage of Bach and R&B. The primary band members' origins were in the Paramounts, a good English R&B act of the mid-60s. Of course, Procol Harum was also the band that Robin Trower cut his teeth with before his solo career. Doug, the original recording of the song is entirely in C major. The one chromaticism that appears is in the descending bass line - there is an F# passing tone when walking down from C chord to F chord: C Em/B Am/G C/G (C/F#) | F F/E Dm Dm/C....etc... You really need to look into more Procol Harum!!!! They are masters of chromatic mediant modulation and mixed modal modulation. It's rare (besides The Band) to have a group with piano and organ simultaneously. Some songs I'd think you enjoy analyzing: A Salty Dog (delicious use of sus4 and diminished chords) from the Salty Dog LP Whaling Stories from the Home LP ANYTHING off of A Grand Hotel LP

This is a wonderful performance.

Nice version, but the original album cut has Matthew Fisher's amazing B-3 organ. It is a must to hear. Also the Live album with the Edmonton Symphony, particularly Conquistador.

Hi Doug - Yeah, the lyrics have this great vibe of classical literature with references to Livy and Chaucer, but your reading of all four verses is exactly on point - if you read all the verses in context, it ultimately boils down to "voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?". The remaining verses were dropped because at 4 minutes plus with the first two verses alone, it was already too long for AM radio - in so doing, they managed to keep that hauntingly abstract mood by keeping things out of the bedroom... You mentioned exploring some of the other stuff in Procol's catalogue - might I suggest their "cantata" also Bach (and Haydn, I believe) inspired, from their "Sine On Brightly album? By the way, love your channel!

Annie Lennox do a AWESOME cover from this...! and In a Heavy Metal versión: Riot and Doro Pesch....!!

Procol harum 1968 album "Shine on brightly" . Look at the suite " "In Held 'Twas in I" . 17:38. The title of the nearly side-long suite "In Held 'Twas in I" is an acrostic. It is formed by taking the first word of the lyrics in each of the first four movements as well as the first word of the sixth verse in the first movement: "In the darkness of the night..."From movement 1, "Glimpses of Nirvana""Held close by that which some despise..."From the sixth verse of movement 1"′Twas tea-time at the circus..."From movement 2, "′Twas Teatime at the Circus""In the autumn of my madness..."From movement 3, "In the Autumn of My Madness""I know if I'd been wiser..."From movement 4, "Look to Your soul." Enjoy this music !

Sarah Brightman does a great version.

The original studio recording is preferable. Keith Reid was such a great lyricist. The only other band that had a non-performing lyricist, two in fact, that comes to mind anyway, there may well be others, is the Dead.

Manowar-Heart of steel (with orchestra or not)

MY god, be quiet a bit and enjoy it , instead of trying to join in.

What year was this concert? Wow he still has a fantastic voice

Yes indeedy, you got it. This song has often been described as having a Bach-derived instrumental melody. I think it's funny that people complain about music not being "original." There's very little that's original, especially today. Also, publication rights is a relatively new phenomenon. Back before publishing rights, many a blues song was repurposed time and again, one often never knowing the true origins of the song. Usually, the artist who gets credit isn't the original song writer, but rather the first to publish the song, or some version thereof. Nothing new under the sun, kiddies. So all those ragging against Led Zepplin for "stealing," they were simply doing what every musical artist has been doing since the dawn of time. The only reason they got attacked is because of their notoriety. Most other artists appropriated musical ideas. It's just that they weren't the most successful hard rock band in the history of music. No one noticed or cared.