Procol Harum’s enduring masterpiece, A Whiter Shade Of Pale, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, is to be reissued as a limited edition single on August 13th. The re-mastered edition of the UK’s most played record (as determined by PPL) also includes some of Procol’s most accomplished recordings, including the hard-hitting blues-rock of Whisky Train and the distinguished ballad Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone).For anyone of a certain age (and plenty of people who weren’t even born at the time) Procol Harum’s first single – which sold six million copies – seems to encapsulate all the wonders of 1967’s ‘Summer of Love’.A Whiter Shade of Pale was the first release credited to Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, the songwriting duo who have remained the band’s heart through the decades. Inspired by a Bach bassline, the song went on to win a profusion of awards, and has been covered by almost a thousand artists.Union Square Music’s award-winning label, Salvo, are delighted to inaugurate their comprehensive Procol Harum reissue programme with the release of A Whiter Shade Of Pale as a limited edition single on both 7” vinyl and CD.
The singles will be released on August 13th, 2007, proceeded by the definitive
‘Best Of’ album, ‘Secrets Of The Hive’, due August 27th, 2007.
A timeless masterpiece, the most played record in the UK in the last 50 years (as determined by PPL) and a song which recently achieved the distinction of being voted the most popular UK number one of all time by listeners of BBC Radio 2, AWSOP’s enigmatic lyrics have fascinated fans and critics alike for 40 years and, newly remastered, it has never sounded so good.
The b-sides, too, have been hand-picked and include some of Procol Harum’s most accomplished recordings, including the hard-hitting blues-rock of Whisky Train and the distinguished ballad Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone).
In support of this release and to help launch Salvo’s Procol Harum campaign, the band have scheduled two very special live dates in London at St Johns Church, Smith Square, London SW1 on July 20th/21st, 2007.
Track-Listing
7” Single
A. A Whiter Shade Of Pale
B. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)
CD Single
1. A White Shade Of Pale
2. Whisky Train
3. All This And More
4. Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)
A Whiter Shade of Pale is released on 13 August