Procol Harum: In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir

Procol Harum: In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir Review

I have many DVDs of rock bands performing with orchestras and/or choirs. None of them come anywhere close to the quality of the sound found here. There are clear reasons for this described in the wonderful booklet that accompanies the DVD. Most orchestras are recorded by a grid of overhead microphones that do not serve to separate the various instruments. Choirs are usually recorded in similar fashion. But NOT here. Each member of the symphony was close miked with their own individual microphone and fed into the board on their own channel, so that when the band's bassist asked the sound man for more oboe in his ear piece, the sound man asked back, "Which oboeist?" Each member of the choir had their own high quality hand mike, affording a similar advantage. The sound is simply fantastic from the orchestra and choir.

Also fantastic is the sound from the band although the mix puts the Commander's vocals and piano, the drummer and the guitarist quite high in the mix compared to the organ and bass, but Gary Brooker plays and sings so brilliantly that you want him high in the mix.

If you need a single example of how this all comes together just give a listen to A Salty Dog. This is probably my favorite Procol song. Brooker was, I believe, 62 years old when this was recorded and one could excuse him on that basis if his voice wasn't what it used to be, but it remains absolutely fantastic.

The part of this song after the line "Our tears were tears of joy" is possibly my favorite moment in any song by any band ever. The arrangement of the orchestra/choir during this section will raise the hairs on your neck and cover your skin with goose pimples. And the Commanders singing is hugely powerful. This one tune is worth the price of the entire DVD, but there are many, many more major highlights, with Grand Hotel coming in a close second.

This DVD is one for the ages. It is a must hear for Procol fans and it would be a great way for those not familiar with their great music to be introduced.

Procol Harum: In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra & Choir Overview

Procol Harum are one of the all-time great British rock groups. Having hit the heights with their first release "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", a UK No.1 in 1967, they have sustained a recording and performing career that stretches over 40 years. This DVD was filmed over two spectacular concerts held in the grounds of Ledreborg Castle in Denmark in August 2006. The band was accompanied throughout by the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir and these epic songs really benefit from the full symphonic arrangements they receive. Also included are six previously unreleased live tracks from a 1974 Danish TV special as a bonus feature.

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