Customer Reviews

Procol Harum:Live at the Union Chapel (2 Pack)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The only "rip-offs" are by the people (reviewers) extracting the audio by using software. No one is "forcing" anyone to repuchase the DVD. It is a bonus for new purchasers, or repurchasers. Since when were CDs made part of DVD packages? This DVD is dramatic and powerful, with an ideal mix of Procol Harum classics and new songs, rich in lyrical quality with unmatchable musicianship, in a venue in keeping with this great British band.

This is one magnificent concert, wherein drummer Mark Brzezicki and guitarist Geoff Whitehorn, after more than 10 years with the group, (in my opinion) finally learned to do justice to Procol Harum's music. The musicianship throughout is outstanding, especially the interaction between Whitehorn and PH founding member, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher. The sound engineering is a revelation, and when played loud through a good sound system, this disk comes very close to matching the HUGE Dynamic Procol Harum Live sound from its Classic period, something that none of the studio albums or previous concert recordings has ever achieved.

The classic tunes sound fantastic - this is my favorite rendition of "Conquistador" anywhere - and the songs from The Well's On Fire, their 2003 CD, have been incredibly improved, so much more ALIVE!, than on that album. Standouts are "An Old English Dream," "The Question" and especially "The Signature", the exciting Fisher-composed instrumental.

Though the CD is a 60 minute excerpt of the entire concert, and I would have made a couple of substitutions, all the best tunes are there and its sound quality is excellent. I'm glad the CD has been made available because I'm planning on sending one to my local Classic Rock radio station and requesting some well-deserved airplay for "The Signature."

Listen to Gary Brooker mangle the words to several PH classics! Watch as he fumbles with sheet music while the band vamps behind him! Try in vain to read the slogans on the guitarist's shirts! Then rewatch the whole concert, and revel in a great performance - two sets around an encore - featuring a band, incredible as it may seem, in it's prime. This is one of the best editions of the band... Quite Rightly So, A Salty Dog, Whisky Train, As Strong as Samson all soar, and they even reinvent the weakest song on their recent cd, The Question, turning it into a lively r&b jam. And there is nothing in pop music like Brooker's grand piano and Fisher's majestic Hammond organ playing. Too bad they're not speaking anymore.

This is one of the 70's greatest unsung heros of rock. And they are still going strong. With their classic Hammond B3 organ sound and grand piano make an eclectic addition to any classic rock listener's collection.

This video, taped at Union Chapel, is an awesome reminder of how wonderful the band was in its hayday.

I chose this DVD over their latest CD called The Well's On Fire. Good choice! My review of the new CD mentions how dismal their new stuff is, which is quite easy to see with the set list being a mixture of old and new. I am not one to be nostalgic for thir glory days, but the only new song that does anything for me is The Signature by Matthew Fisher. There are also seven other new songs on this DVD.

The star of the show is Geoff Whitehorn, who is really a very talented guitarist. I also had more fun trying to read the captions on his two T-shirts (one for each set) than paying attention to the rest of the band. Don't get me wrong, this is a stellar group of musicians, but Geoff is just more entertaining to watch. Gary's voice is truly amazing, especially after all these years.

Other highlights include A Salty Dog, Conquistador, and the reggae interlude for As Strong As Samson.

Procol Harum live at Union Chapel is a fabulous compilation of there music. The video was extremely well done. I can't understand how this group is not in the rock and roll hall of fame, it is a travesty.

Actually, would have given it 4 1/2 stars but that wasn't an option. Got the Procol Harum jones again after seeing them this summer (2010) and also buying the Transatlantic CD with their cover of "In Held (twas) In I". The sound quality is excellent, good frequency response and no distortion, and the mixing is for the most part very good, and the video quality is very good. My one bone to pick is the video editing, which never stays put and is more close-ups than panning back - rarely is the whole band in the same frame (which would be nice, since Gary Brooker and Matthew Fisher are at opposite sides of the stage). The audio CD is OK, but if I were picking the songs I wouldn't have chosen so many from "Well's on Fire".

I recently rediscovered my interest in Procol Harum, and I am so glad I did! This particular concert is a recent one and it included old and newer material, all of completely enjoyable. I especially like to see how the band members relate to each other and to the audience. Gary Brooker has not lost any of his charm, and Matthew Fisher was just wonderful to watch. They sounded great and this concert was a special one to all involved. Of course the rest on the band's very talented members deserve much praise for keeping this great music and it's message alive.

The low rating is for the manner of re-release only. This is nothing but a brazen attempt by Eagle to get PH fans to buy the dvd a second time in order to get the cd version which, based on the information above, is only available with the dvd and cannot be purchased separately. If you are a Procol fan what choice do you have but to purchase the dvd a second time? I understand they are re-releasing Jethro Tull's Isle of Wight dvd w/ the cd also, but at least in that case you can buy each separately.

I have the dvd and it is fine, I have no complaints with it at all. A 4 star dvd by itself.