Procol Harum was the original singers and writers of this song, the man preforming is the lead singer of that band Gary Brooker is his name , he passed away last year I believe, the original song is a classic, check it out one day, thank you for this ♥️
Picture your parents as teens. Laying back , smoking funny things. This album playing on the hi-fi and being taken on a trip your mind created. That is procul haram
This song came out in 67 when I was in college. And I've loved it ever since. No matter how many times I hear it, it still gets me in my feels. The addition of an orchestra and choir just takes it to another level. What a magnificent performance! Bravo!! And thanks Jamal for keeping good music alive!
And this was 39 years later and Gary sounded even better than the studio version..How I'm the HELL can THAT happen??? ...RIP Mr. Booker and thanks for the Magic..
Annie Lenox sang this decades after the original in honor of the original sung by Gary Booker. It came out in 1967 and was considered by many as the theme song of the "Summer of Love". In my opinion, this is the best version ever with the full orchestra accompaniment. And Booker's voice only got richer and more golden with age. Great reaction Jamel! Thank you!!
One of the strongest vocalists in terms of holding onto his peak qualities for so long. This had to be a huge rush for him to see this song get the spectacle treatment and boy was it up to the task. Strong arrangement and the interplay between orchestra and band was super.
This is not the first time he has done this song with a full orchestra and choir. As a matter of fact - their best selling album was a live performance recorded with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Greenwood Choir in 1972. Their hit song Conquistador was a single released from that concert. They did A Whiter Shade of Pale in the 20th anniversary reunion concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Greenwood Choir in 1992.
I agree, especially since I was born and raised in Denmark. Love to see the Danish symphony orchestra, Gary Booker sounds as good as ever. This concert took place at a castle that I'm very familiar with, seeing both set of my grandparents lived close to that location.
As a young man, Gary knew he had World Class Pipes but worked very hard to improve them...Steve Perry did the same by working with an Opera singer (Pavarotti, I think) to add a half Octave...All great vocalists want to know how far they can go. For Gary to maintain his voice until he passed is unreal
I did not like this song back in the day. But I only heard it on classic rock stations because I wasn’t old enough to be paying attention to the radio. I was born in 1962 and the song came out in 1967. It was played all my life on radio and my dad played it in our home. That being said, this version has had me fall absolutely hard in love with it. I can’t believe this man’s voice held up to this greatness after all those years. I get chills every time I hear this version. I have listened to it 100 times!❤️❤️❤️
THE LOUSIEST VERSION OF THIS SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD !! PURE BS - ! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WTH THIS SONG OF 1967 ! THIS IS "" HOW TO KILL A MASTERPEACE "" !!!!
When this came out in 1967, George Harrison said it opened a whole new set of possibilities for where popular music could go. That was a truly heart-felt reaction, much appreciated!
Jamel, thank you for covering this song. It brought me back in time to my childhood when we had amazing music. For several minutes, I was transported back in time to being a teenager again listening to this beautiful song sung by the one and only Gary Brooker who is deceased now. I am in my 60's now reminiscing a time long passed. For the younger generation, enjoy your youth and appreciate the classic songs like this one because before you realize anything your youth will be gone and you will be where I am now. God Bless.
The look on Jamel’s face when Gary began to sing…priceless! It’s my favorite reaction of his. Those of us of a certain age already knew what was coming!
Gary Brooker and Procol Harum released this song in 1967. Gary was 22. This will be the greatest version you will ever hear with Gary being 61. The orchestra and choir is an ensemble of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Together they took this masterpiece to a whole new level. Rest easy Gary.
He sounded just like he did all of those years ago. RIP, Gary Brooker. Thanks for sharing your voice with the world while you were here with us. Thanks for your reaction, Jamel. Take care and be well. Peace.
The guy thinks a girl is in to him, then she realizes that he is Into her and that he thinks she's into him too, but she's not, and has to let him know. But, I also think he's saying that we all are that way. He's not the only one to whom that happens. Which is why the lyrics aren't very specific. And it is that way about a lot of things in life. In a broad sense it's about unpleasant realities, of which we are unaware intruding at points into our lives. Which may work because the lyrics aren't specific.
Lyrics by Keith Reid, music by the band Procal Harum, Lead vocal Gary Brooker. Original song released in 1967. Was a classic way back then and hasn't lost anything even today.
Gary Brooker’s voice aged like a fine wine. This live performance is epic! I’ve watched it countless times over the years, and am transported to the musical ethers every time! ❤
This came out when I in high school. The boys came away from the walls to ask a girl to slow dance during this song. This later version has so much soul.
I've always loved this song and Procol Harum, and never get tired of this version! So beautiful, and takes me back to the time of my youth. This song was released in 1967 when I was 10 yrs. old, and it was iconic throughout the 70s in my teens. What a legendary piece of music! Rest In Peace Gary Brooker. Thanks Jamel for this great reaction choice! ✌💙✌
Those pipes are amazing. I can't fathom what that feels like to have that inside you. These reaction videos to this truly introduced this song to so many. RIP Gary
The original 1967 hit by Procol Harum didn't feature the orchestra. The Hammond B3 Organ was the main feature. But Gary Brooker's voice held up until he was well into his 60s. What an instrument he had! RIP. They had one other hit, though it wasn't as big as this. Still, it's well worth checking out, and they performed it at this same outdoor concert. Find the video for "Conquistidor." Whole different vibe, but no less musically interesting. Still, I think this is the best live, orchestra treatment of a hit rock 'n roll song that I've ever heard.
It's hard for me to believe that there are people that never heard this song. Originally came out in 67, it was part of my life. This rendition with the original vocalist is fantastic
This is an American Opera done by an old school rock band and accompanied by an orchestra. I was born in 1950 and my mom and dad were music lovers from their time in life. No they didn't care much for our music, but it's amazing to me now in 2023 that our music is admired by young adults and even some teens. Our music like our parents was done by some remarkable musicians. So glad you enjoyed it, even though you were having trouble describing it. Eyes closed and going to a place where the music starts and gets your emotions stirring in your heart and streaming from your eyes!!!
I grew up in the 60's and it was a magical time. The era for me was really the late 50's, all of the 60's and half of the 70s. Every week we heard new songs that we knew would become classics and they did. I saw the following artists in person: Four Seasons (3 times), Temptations (twice) Beach Boys (twice- the second time one of the band members was sick and a guy who later became famous, Glenn Campbell, took his place, Rascals, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Happenings, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, James Taylor, The Guess Who, Dion, The Dave Clark Five, The Lovin Spoonful, The Association, Dion Warwick, The Fifth Dimension, The Supremes, Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs, Steppenwolf, Gordon Lightfoot, Oliver, P.O.D. (15 years ago), Jimmy Ruffin, Jackie Wilson (the second to last show he performed), Bread, The Classics IV, and Lou Christie. I think I have left out one or two but you can see what a wonderful age it was. I love your reactions and willingness to stick your neck out for new music. Keep the faith baby! I look up to you, I am 5'9"! Procol Harum was big during my tour of duty, and we listened to it on the Armed Forces Network.
Oh just pure magic, I was so lucky to grow up with this song and all the other artists in the 60's and 70's .. yeah just the microphone, his voice and the orchestra, love to watch him now
Incredible performance, and my favorite version of the song. Considering that he said he wrote the song starting with a couple of bars of Bach's "Air on a G-string", it wouldn't surprise me if this was similar to what he heard in his head when composing the music.
Gary Brooker (RIP) put on one of the best live performances ever with this orchestra. I was blown away the first time a saw this & it still gives me goosebumps today. When Gary passed last year they were planning on going back touring again as they always had. I think his death was somewhat of a surprise. All those years & all those shows, he never lost an ounce of his voice.
You need to be a movie star.. You have all natural facial expressions and sincere words to capture an audience. You are very respectful keep it that way. God bless you..
Pre-dated Annie Lennox by about 20years. Originally released in the UK in the summer of love,1967. It was everywhere that magnificent,carefree summer. I was 13 and lapped it all up.
This is what I like about so many of the classic rock songs, they can add and orchestra and slow them down just a bit and they are still amazing songs. Not sure much of the music today will be able to have that happen in 40 or 50 years.
Gary Brooker voice saunas exactly the same as it did in 1967, when this song was first released. That's incredible. He smashed it - again! Based on the Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I loved it then, and love it now. Thanks, Gary Brooker, and RIP. This song was written by Keith Reid and Gary Brooker.
This is actually a event that The Danish National Symphony Orchestra held back in 2006. They held it at a place called Ledreborg.They did this several years in a row. They would invite different artists to participate, and that became fantastic. Procol Harum have changed musicians over the years, but the singer is the same. His voise is fantastic.
This song always reminded me of my dad who passes in 1982 when I was 10. To this day i don't know why it does. Tomorrow is his birthday. He would have turned 90. It still makes me cry when I here it. Great reaction!
Denise...you're crying with love from you're father and he loved you and you will see him in heaven. I can't wait to see my 38 yr old sister and Mother.
This is the sound of my youth - - I'm from 1951 - and it was the music we loved- the tapestry of my youth-. Relax - - there is no -""come on " . He was inspired by Johan Sebastian Bachs "Air on the G-string". Thank you for the reaction .
Just today I was driving some people I work with who carpool with me, and I have the studio version of this on my USB drive in my car. I was telling them about this performance, and how it's even better than the studio version. I love the original song, but this performance takes it to another level.
Jamel I can't believe you haven't heard Procal Harum before. Gotta check out Souvenir of London, Simple Sister and Power Failure to name but a few. Great band! Gary Brooker outstanding songwriter
Hard to believe that you have not done this before while so many reactors have covered this live version months and years ago. A brilliant performance decades after the original recording sounding even better.
Monster hit when released in May, '67- goes all the way to #1 in the groups native UK, and to #5 here. This live performance in 2006, has the vocalist, (Gary Brooker) almost forty years removed from the original recording. Until '72, the group never had much chart success either with albums or singles. It was then, that the single 'Conquistador' was released for the first time, even though it was on the groups first album. ('67) It is on the soundtrack for the movie 'The Big Chill' (1983) I know. The melody is kind of haunting- the organ is killer.
I remember growing up listening to this song and loved it then. Now that I'm all grown up, I love this grown-up version even better. Thanks for sharing, Jamal.
That was one of my fav songs when it 1st came out in the 60s. He sounds as good as ever! Wow! This live version made me cry. Thanks for reacting to this!! God bless!!!
This beautiful song gave me the chills when Gary sung the first few notes and makes me feel very nostalgic.🌿 I remember when it came out along with their other song "Conquistador". This band had a string of hits. Thanks so much Jamal for reacting to it!🧡
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.
Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (also known as HSAS) was a rock supergroup band featuring lead vocalist Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), lead guitarist Neal Schon (Journey), bassist Kenny Aaronson and drummer Michael Shrieve. HSAS does a fantastic cover of this song, check it out it's worth it.
The single 45 record - Whiter Sade of Pale by Procol Harum spent many, many, many weeks at the top of the charts when it was first released. One of the progressive classics along with Nights in White Satin
My dad and my relatives would sing this song in the karaoke. I tend to sing on the karaoke as well. My relatives would tell me I have a beautiful voice.
I've watched a lot of reactions, but unexpectedly, like the singer, you brought perfection across. You were very lyrical yourself. It is wonderful not only to see such a beautiful body of work, but also such a differentiated and lyrical commentary. Thanks for that. "When they close their eyes they gone to the place where the lyrics were created" That is lyric and a wonderful reaction.
Jamal, you really have never heard this before? Welcome to a great masterpiece; by the way, thank you so much for this. God Bless you and your family, in Christ name Amen.
This performsnce is sublime. An old rock song, a premier orchestra with full chorus, a gifted singer, beautiful organ interludes and strong percussion backing, all brillantly arranged to create an almost magic musical experience. Wonderful!
Annie Lennox's LP Medusa was comprised mostly of covers done in her own style. This song was one of her covers, and was originally performed by Procol Harum.
This has always been one of my favorite songs. The music, and Brooker's voice combine to evoke a lot of emotions out of nonsensical lyrics, it's amazing. A whiter shade of pale refers, obviously, to the death of the woman who maye have been a virgin, and in my interpretation has died of an overdose, or he could be imagining all of it while on an acid trip. Trying to interpret this song's meaning is a lost cause so envision whatever you care to, and enjoy it for what it is. 👍😎✌
This song is 56 years old! The original didn’t have the Orchestra like this one. Check out the original studio version as gives a totally different mood to this wonderfully grander version.
