This is an extremely rare performance of Whiter Shade of Pale on Top of the Pops from 1967, featuring a live vocal performance from Gary Brooker to the single's instrumental. The original master tape of this performance was wiped along with hundreds of other TOTP episodes. However, a home recording of this performance was discovered in the collection of Bill Harrison, along with other performances by Pink Floyd, The Turtles and Dave Davies.
The tape was badly damaged, featuring constant rolling. I've tried to accurately sync the original single to this performance by fixing the constant speed fluctuation on the tape. I've also used AI to restore Gary Brooker's live vocals, which contain some slightly different lyrics than the original version.
Alternate Lyrics:
We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
The room was humming harder
The crowd called out for more
I didn't know what's happening
Because my mind is blown (?)
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said "there is no reason"
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
And forced her to agree
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well have been closed
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
11 сен 2024