Customer Reviews

Procol's Ninth

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I bought this album when it was first released and was disappointed, being that the group was my favorite. I couldn't put my finger on why until I looked at the album credits; it was produced by Leiber and Stoller, not Chris Thomas. It wasn't till then that I had an inkling of the importance of the producer to a record's sound.
The sound on this album was "distant" and not dynamic. The songs were only pedestrian realizations of the theretofore unique Brooker-Reid aesthetic.
For the first time the group recorded other people's songs, i.e. Leiber & Stoller's "I Keep Forgetting" and Lennon & McCartney's "Eight Days a Week".
WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY FAVORITE GROUP?
Obviously, the lamp's flame was burning out, so to speak; a fact only too apparent on their subsequent release Something Magic.
After all these years I can still listen to Procol's Ninth and enjoy certain tunes; among them "Pandora's Box", "Fool's Gold", and "Typewriter Torment".
But please don't make this your first Procol Harum purchase. I would recommend starting at the very beginning (the album with the Aubrey Beardsleyesque design on the cover and featuring their signature song "A Whiter Shade of Pale") and then work in chronological order. You'll discover an interesting musical evolution and much to enjoy.

I just listened to this again last night. Its really solid with some of the best brass Procol Harum ever had recorded. They feature some great trombone, sax and trumpet work wich makes many of these cuts powerful. I'd say Gary's vocals/piano and BJs drums are highlighted throughout. Several Gems not to be missed: Fools Gold (trombone featured), I Keep Forgetting,No Doubt(I love the electric piano on this one!) Pandora's Box(precussion is special on this one),Taking The Time (great bluesy sound features the sax), and the awesome rocker Unquiet Zone(BJs drumming is unworldly here!). Anyway, enjoy this rocking bluesy Procol Harum offering.

Well, I just got this album (I mean cd) yesterday. What a Big suprise! I never bought this record ever. Getting this completes my collection of procol's first 9 studio albums. (I still don't have their '72 live album). After hearing this record only twice now, I can't believe I never had it before. This is full of some wonderful sounding music. Gary Brookers vocals and Keith Reids lyrics are such a pleasure to listen to. Of course I can't leave out B.J. Wilson on drums. Kudos also to the rest of the band for their efforts on completing an enjoyable recording. I do have to mention that procol has a cd out under the name of licorice john death titled "a'int nothin' to get excited about". If you enjoy Procol's Ninth you will love this record. Highly recomended! I would advise you to get it before it is discontinued.

Procol Harum's ninth album, appropriately titled "Procol's Ninth," sees Gary Brooker & the boys cutting loose in the studio, aided in the producer's chair by legendary writer/producers Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, the men behind Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and other classic hit records. This is Procol Harum at their most fun, with such classic tracks as "Pandora's Box," "Fool's Gold," "Typewriter Torment," and a pair of fabulous cover songs: Chuck Jackson's "I Keep Forgetting" and the Beatles' "Eight Days A Week." The band sound superb, and the Lieber/Stoller production a plus. "Procol's Ninth" is terrific Procol Harum.

Sometimes you love a band for extremely personal reasons, and I feel Procol Harum is one of my closest personal connections. At least in the sense that I feel a really close attachment to the band (especially the lead singer).

The lead singer has one of the most soothing and comfortable voices in all of rock history. He's right up there with Greg Lake and Justin Hayward in any category for greatest male vocalists in 70's rock.

But man, Procol Harum's songwriting just hits me really *really* hard. It makes me wanna cry. The lead singer is always on top of his game, giving a 100% perfect performance, and showcases some of the most tearful melodies ever.

You almost second guess if you want to even PLAY a Procol Harum album knowing what kind of emotions he brings to the table. Is it worth playing an album if you're going to spend most of the time crying?

That's the million dollar question...

and why do I cry when I hear any number of Procol Harum tunes? I don't know.

It's easy to say the music is extremely sad, but why? It's like the lead singers voice alone is predicting an eventual sad outcome for everyone just in the way he delivers his vocal melodies. He sounds like he's really torn apart inside, in a deep personal level. Whether he is secretly torn up in reality or not, one thing's for sure- I'm glad he wasn't afraid to hold back his emotional talent for these classic PH albums.

I can't help it, but every time I hear a Procol Harum song I get the same picture in my head of a lonely old man sitting around at the beach wondering if he has any regrets. Just sitting there, thinking and thinking, contemplating his thoughts. That's the strongest feeling this music gives me. It's not just the Salty Dog album giving me these thoughts either- this album does as well.

Maybe I'm interpreting the sound of the singers voice the wrong way however. Maybe it's not the sickening thought of growing old and having regrets every single day that makes me most depressed with the music of Procol Harum.

Maybe for another person, they'd be reminded of their childhood, faraway places, or anything else and feel more beauty as oppossed to depression when they listen to Procol Harum. Who knows.

I know one thing- this band is like the polar opposite of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis (another brilliant lead singer by the way- Peter Gabriel). That band reminds me of the precious joys of being a child and feeling sad knowing those days are completely over. Procol Harum on the other hand, makes me worried what the future has in store for me. That's the difference between the two bands. One deals with the past, the other one the future.

Anyway, Procol's Ninth shows a few signs of the songwriting slipping away, but it's honestly not NEARLY as bad as other people would have you believe. "Without a Doubt" and "The Final Thrust" are just beautiful in the vocal melodies, and "The Piper's Tune" reminds me of Jethro Tull a little bit, with more honest vocal deliveries and a song that honestly reminds me of ship pirates. I like these three songs a lot.

"Fool's Gold" is a great rocker, and "Typewriter Torment" features tasty piano playing. Of course the lead singer steals the show again and again. Procol's Ninth just isn't nearly as bad as some people would try to convince you. Far from it, to be honest.

I recommend this album if you like all the previous Procol Harum albums. Should Procol's Ninth be your first purchase and exposure to the band? Absolutely not. That should be either Grand Hotel or A Salty Dog (maybe even Shine on Brightly).

Being a P.H. megafan there's little they can do wrong EXCEPT their cover of "8 days a week" I'll be back for more P.H. bargains JK