Shine on Brightly

THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE 2015 ESOTERIC LABEL 3 CD SET. "There were probably some psychedelic drugs involved in that one." Gary Brooker on "Shine On Brightly". In the present time it's impossible for Procol Harum fans of later generations to fully understand just how new, different, ambitious, and exciting this music was when it was first released. Their first album (also reissued by Esoteric) put music fans on notice that here was a band that stood out from the pack. If you're reading this chances are you're already familiar with the band and this album, so dissecting each track is a waster of time. Suffice to say that the band's first three albums (especially) set new parameters for what "rock" music could be. Some fans of the band will be happy with the 2009 reissues--and that's okay--but long time fans (like me) are ecstatic to have the mono version of the album (never on CD) along with live tracks and demos, singles, and alternate recordings. The remastered sound (from original tapes) is at least as good as the 2009 (and some fans noted that there was a problem with tape speed) and may be a bit more open sounding--but I usually leave the audiophile stuff to those more knowledgeable about such things. To my ears this edition sounds great. There's a thick 24 page booklet (including covers) with period graphics, some good period photos, and an essay by band biographer Henry Scott-Irvine which is well worth your time. Plus, there's a poster included (similar to the poster in the newly reissued first album on Esoteric) that's pretty cool but nothing to really get excited about--but the graphics are nicely done--of the album cover artwork. The original artwork has been restored, the discs are inside cardboard jackets (with album graphics and a list of tunes on the back) and everything is in a clam shell box, also with nicely done graphics. The three color postcards have reproductions of Procol Harum gigs--again, nice but not totally essential. And with both stereo and mono mixes of the album, along with BBC and studio recordings from the period (20 unreleased) this just may be the best this album will ever be presented. Disc 1: tracks 1-11 are the original 1968 album, tracks 12-14 are bonus tracks of the title song in Italian from 1967 and both 'A' and 'B' sides of the mono '67 single "Quite Rightly So" b/w "In The Wee Small Hours of Sixpence". Disc 2: tracks 1-11 is the (previously unheard on CD) mono version of the album (and if you like good mono sound this is pretty cool) which is actually nice to hear as a stand-alone album. Disc 3: tracks 1-9 include various mono/stereo backing tracks and alternates, tracks 10-17 are BBC Top Gear sessions from '68--including "Quite Rightly So", "Shine On Brightly", "Skip Softly My Moonbeams", "Wish Me Well", "Long Gone Geek", and "In Held 'Twas In I (Look To Your Soul/Finale)". These live BBC tracks from Feb/Aug./Oct. '68 are good examples of what the band sounded like live--a bit heavier and more urgent sounding--than their studio stuff--and are a highlight. Needless to say this album follows along from the band's first album (but with a different bass player) and was one of the better progressive-rock albums of the era. The band continued to combine rock with classical flourishes and Keith Reid's sometimes psychedelic lyrics. A blend of Trower's powerful blues-based guitar and Mathew Fisher's classical/churchy organ sounds and Gary Brooker's piano, along with B.J. Wilson's perfect drumming made this album another signpost of the late '60s/early '70s. Now I'm waiting for "A Salty Dog" to be reissued.

At long last, this may be the definitive stereo re-mastering of one of the greatest classic rock albums from the 60's. Shine on Brightly has been a dear friend of mine for almost 50 years. If you are also a fan and own the original vinyl and/or previous CD releases, I highly recommend you acquire this 2015 release. The clarity and stereo separation (and yes, the recording speed is correct this time!) are unprecedented. Darken the room, put on headphones and travel back in time when music & lyrics were truly transcendental!

A great price on a classic through the Amazon network. I had the vinyl version years ago, but had trouble finding this on other services such as itunes. For some reason this cd is missing, and I always considered this PH's best collection of tunes. I believe that it is their most creative and artistic cd and the vocals are crisp. A joy to kick back and listen to on a peaceful afternoon.

Some people have complained that this CD was remastered with the tape running too fast, which causes the vocals to sound "cartoonish". But I haven't noticed anything unusual about the sound. It doesn't seem to be running too fast to me. It's the Procol Harum's second LP, which was released in 1968. The cover is very curious, and the music is compelling. The album is very exploratory and experimental, not exactly what you'd call commercially oriented pop. I especially like Robin Trower's guitar work. There are also a lot of bonus tracks to enjoy, so I'm very comfortable giving this album 5 stars.

The 60's was my decade and Procol Harum provided the soundtrack for my life. Today they provide the soundtrack for my memories. I can't bother myself with technical issues--they are of little concern to me. PH's lyrics continue to resonate with the stirrings of my soul, and I rank them with the poetry of the best poets. Someday I hope to treat myself to one of their concerts in Europe, even though Brooker is the only original member still performing; age has been gentle with him. Listening to "In Held 'Twas I" transports me through time and space and I am reminded that "Life is like a bean stalk" . . . isn't it though? The combination of theology, poetry, philosophy, fantasy, and surrealism in the lyrics of their songs continues to tweak my brain and the music stirs my emotions, sometimes unsettlingly.

The second LP by Procol Harum. This release is great.

Procol Harum has some of the most rabid fans in America and across the pond and I am one of them. If you want to know where prog rock started then take a listen to this album and all of the other material they have put out (especially Grand Hotel and Salty Dog). Gary Brooker is the best singer to come out of England other than Eric Burdon and although Procol is not as bluesy as the Animals were, what they did with a symphonic sound is bar none! Put Emerson Lake and Palmer down and listen to Procol you will not forget it!

This is a group that my dad used to play for me as a child, so this cd holds wonderful memories for me. I love every song on this cd, and it's only made better by the memories of my father singing these great songs makes it all the better. As usual I got this cd for a great price, and I recommend this cd to anyone who loves great classic rock, and tremendous music.

Un disque que je ne connaissais pas, de Procol Harum je ne connaissais que 4 ou 5 disques, je suis en train de compléter ma collection. Belle surprise avec cette album, on y retrouve tous les ingrédients du premier opus du groupe, avec plus de maîtrise et d'assurance. Un très bon album qui tourne en boucle depuis plusieurs jours.

The first four Procol Harum albums have, like the Move's, been remastered and released by the Salvo label. "Shine on Brighly" was Procol Harum's second album, and it is often regarded as perhaps their finest. With the new remastering the music has never sounded better, and another interesting feature is that it is now possible to play the songs from the long suite "In Held Twas In I" separately - an option I have often wished for. The bonus-tracks are great too, some of them as good as the album-tracks. Especially the great B-side "In the Wee Small Hours of Sixpence" - a song I remember them playing in Denmark on their 1970 tour. "Monsieur Armand" and "Seem to Have the Blues" are bluesy out-takes which have been released several times before, but I have never heard the sounding so great as on this release. "McGreggor" is another fine song, which probably never reached a finished stage - but a great recording anyway. "The Gospel According to" is actually an alternate version of "Wish Me Well" - and not very different from the album version. The alternative version of "Magdalene" has been released before - but sounding pretty poor. The sound has been restored markedly for this release - but the chorus still sound pretty weird. "A Robe of Silk" is a fine melodic instrumental, which the group decided to re-record for their "The Well's on Fire" album. Interesting too, to hear the acoustic guitar on the backing track of "In the Wee Small Hours of Sixpence". Like the rest of the Salvo-releases this album has fine informative liner-notes.

Producto en muy buen estado, contento con la compra

Best album

das 2015er remastering von ben wiseman (audioarchivinggroup) ist endlich diesem wunderbaren album gerecht worden. wenig kompression, etwas noisereduction, detailreiches abbild und vor allem, im gegensatz zu den salvo-remasters, wurde die laufgeschwindigkeit wieder an die originale aufnahme angepasst .(shine on brightly + in theld ..) auf dem original bänder-karton hatte cordell (der etwas gelangweilte und kaum anwesende producer der scheibe) nicht vermerkt, dass bei 2 tracks die bandmaschine während des mastering prozesses (um fast einen ganzen ton) verlangsamt werden muss um die original einspielgeschindigkeit zu erhalten (lag an der verwendeten steinalten orgel, die tiefer gestimmt war als die anderen instrumente...brooker sang auf das tiefer gestimmte band)...beim mastering 1968 wusste der ingenieur das sich das so verhielt....naber jahrzehnte später wurde dann bei salvo allles in der ungepitchten version remastered und somit zu hoch aufgezeichnet....blah blah blah..das desaster war perfekt, brooker hatte dazu gar nichts sagen..die fans reklamierten...what a mess ! nun endlich stimmt alles und klingt fantastisch, wesentlich besser als die bis jetz beste version von westside. die bonus disc in mono ist für mich die offenbarung schlechthin. aus einem psychedelic album wird ein energetisches bandalbum. ein muss für jeden fan. die bonus cd mit extended versions und instrumentals und live-zeug ist ok, aber nicht sooo berauschend wie ich anfangs dachte. die 3 cds kommen als mini stecktaschen in einer clamshell box mit sehr guten linernotes und infos.