FIRST TIME REACTION - Procol Harum " A WHITER SHADE OF PALE " R.I.P GARY BROOKER | UK REACTOR |

[@lightatthecape2009]

500 years from now this song will still be played. Classic

[@Anita-pf1hy]

Gary Brooker, R.I.P.

[@bazkeen]

Gary was sounding better at 61 than he was in his early 20s. Cheers Lee 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@minaton5242]

Yes, the older the better.

[@dannymclellan7210]

FYI he first recorded this song at 22. He's 61 in this video.

[@lizz5235]

This is the BEST version even if he is 61 in this recording. Fantastic man.

[@pebblehilllane]

One of the anthems of the 1967 Summer of Love, it is one of the most commercially successful singles in history, having sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. In the years since, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has become an enduring classic, with more than 1,000 known cover versions by other artists.

[@jerrybrooks4717]

One of the best songs ever history will prove it

[@daleennis3140]

Gary eill be missed What an outstanding band they were!!May God Bless him!!

[@atuuschaaw]

I played the crap out of Brooker's original with Procul Harum, but this version became my favorite rendition after my first listen, and the performance was out-o-this-world. Great reaction! ♥

[@infin8reactions]

Thanks randy! It's a classic song alright 🙂

[@timspeakman4555]

Love this song so much and is extra special to me as it went to no 1 in the UK the day I was born. RIP Gary Brooker

[@emmathomas6184]

That is genuinely beautiful. I just looked up the number one song on my birthday, and it was 'Freak Me' by Silk 😕

[@minaton5242]

Gary ist unvergesslich. Gary is unforgettable.

[@jeffreybooth5129]

I'm amazed you only new this from the advert.Fell in love with the band the first time I heard this in 1967 as a school boy. I have since seen them live 8 times and I'm saddened at the loss of Gary Brooker a true legend in my eyes. You can't go wrong listening to Procol Harum I can assure you,in my opinion the greatest band of all time

[@pamelajohnson6199]

This was our anthem in the 70s...this is a stirring version, solidly in my top 10

[@johnwillis4706]

I had the distinct honor and privilege to accompany Procol Herum in 1997 at Lyric Opera House and 2004 and 2005 at Star Light Theater. I was the concert pianist for the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra. Playing for this band was phenomenal. Gary Brooker's voice was transcendent and spell binding. His passing in Feb was a tragedy to the music world. The Hammond B-3 organ in this is exceptional. I own one and play this song often. I miss those days with the Orchestra and playing for great bands like Procol Herum.

[@Biking360]

An amazing story and I bet you have plenty more 👍

[@dannyramirez890]

Gary Brooker,R.I.P.my brother.I heard you in 1967 in studio, but the live version in Denmark was awesome.I turned 74 in July and it brought tears to my Love you man,see you when the Creator comes and takes you & me to our eternal home.GodBless🎪🎺

[@Brandi6666]

Such a sad day when gary passed on. He def earned his rocking angel wings🤘❤️ greetings dude. New sub in the house

[@elsiemae4678]

This brought back memories. Back to my childhood. I’m 57 my dad loved this song it was always playing in our house and my mom had a Hammond Organ and my dad taught her to play this song. Such a haunting song I thought this gentleman died years and years ago. I sending this to my mom my dad past away 7 yrs ago. I wished he would have seen this performance it was extra special with orchestra. Awe so glad someone sent it to you to react to it.

[@christelsegbars1630]

OMG I just heared this version yesterday for the first time. I could not hear this tune for 35 years because of a highscool friend died in the river with the scouting. His parents held a funeral and played a recorded trompet version of our friend, in my memory this was it. Now I still cry tiers, but with respect an rememberance... This is so beautiful 🥰😍💋

[@kathleenkarsten5739]

Such a beautiful song. ❤️

[@geraldbrown640]

A truly wonderful track and a most amazing performance ❤ 👏

[@roringusanda2837]

I'd never heard it as an instrumental! I was absolutely shocked to know that you'd never heard the words! It's a fantastic song, and the words are quite trippy and mysterious.

[@infin8reactions]

Haha we both did t know something about this song it seems

[@musik102]

@@infin8reactions This melody was inspired by Bach. It's Bach's music that has been used in LOTS of TV adverts.

[@hughjarrett4736]

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus said that it’s in the studio that people have perfected the recording of music, but this recording of ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ with Gary Brooker on vocals, the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir, the Procol Harum band, including the Hammond organ and the drums, is perfection. It cannot be surpassed. 🥂

[@daveshep9400]

I get there is an orchestra there and it has one of the hottest oboe solos. Probably the only oboe solo. But there is a rock band out front! But seriously the crowd came to their feet in respect and awe of a marvelous performance. Wonderful reaction.

[@minaton5242]

👍👀

[@georgelynch6139]

The Danish National Symphonic Orchestra always seems to have outstanding Oboe solos and extremely talented artists

[@joseluisceballos355]

Lee, it is astonishing to me how you English react to songs that you never heard of before, you think ... yet those singing them are from British bands. You guys have so many fantastic bands throughout times that even you do not know of many of them. Regards from Chile. Great reaction.

[@laureltaylor4535]

A music masterpiece.

[@lizz5235]

He acknowledges with a raised hand near the end that he played a bum note. Lovely man.

[@Grammichal]

I think he’s indicating that the song will end like he’s the conductor.

[@cindipossidento5688]

I love that oboe and the Hammond organ !!!! But Gary Brooker was PHENOMENAL !!!!!!!

[@garylorentzen228]

This song was released in May of 1967 and became part of the sound track of my first term at university that summer. It was an iconic song of the era. This performance was amazing. Unfortunately, Gary Brooker, the lead singer of Procol Harum, died recently. RIP. I heard an interview with Brooker about the meaning of the song--he said it's about a break up, the girl leaving with no explanation, and the guy found it unacceptable. When he confronts her about it, already nervous and pale telling him she's leaving, she turned a whiter shade of pale.

[@emmathomas6184]

I love this song! I have never heard this performance and ngl I teared up a little. I really like your reactions because you appreciate all music and talent, regardless if it is the type of genre you typically listen to. Also, that commercial seemed like it was a few decades older than you lol

[@infin8reactions]

Haha aw thanks! The commercial is from the 80's so I was around lol, so glad you like my videos Emma, thanks for tuning in and dropping a comment 😁

[@pamelajohnson6199]

That oboe~~~❤️

[@Davey_bfg71]

This song was from their debut album way back in 1967, despite the name which probably throws people they’re an English rock group founded by lead singer & pianist, the late Gary Brooker. It topped the UK charts for 6 weeks, peaked at No.5 in USA and sold 10million copies worldwide. And there are OVER 1,000 known cover versions by other artists. 😊

[@michaeldavis5610]

Bought this album just for this song.And had to buy a second one because I wore the first one out...Thanks for doing this one, and have a great day.

[@infin8reactions]

Thanks for your positivity mate 😁

[@romanazzitube]

AMAZING ! Step 1 - Orchestra prelude Step 2 - Gary Brooker and orchestra Step 3 - Gary Brooker + orchestra + band (Procol Harum) + choir “A WHITER SHADE OF PALE” was released by Procol Harum in 1967 and it was their first single ❤ RIP Gary Brooker 1945 - 2022 *PROCOL HARUM is a latin expression that means "beyond these things"

[@egonknudsen6726]

I was at the consert in 2006. It was the best consert in my life

[@Billydoesyoutubenow]

So Good, so powerful, so beautiful and confusing lyrics like a rainbow 🌈

[@Cobalt-Jester]

When you start singing and the whole crowd cheers and claps then goes silent and remains silent for the whole song.. Then it's a good day.

[@infin8reactions]

100% buddy!!

[@phillt9134]

The lyrics are based on the Millers tale from Chaucers Canterbury tales, the music is by Bach, and combined with the orchestra and Gary Brookers voice make it a performance those in the crown will never ever forget

[@carolhayar3037]

It was inspired byvBach's "Sleepers, Wake!" and"Air on the G String" but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach although it makes references to both pieces. As per Reid, the line as the miller told his tale" is definitely not a reference to Chaucer's Miller's Tale. Reid has repeatedly explained he'd never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale

[@larrybutler8948]

I was 18 when this came out.Loved it. There is a connection with This song and Don McLean's American Pie song. You should react to Don's new 50 year American Pie with Home Free. In the Last Verse The 3 men he admired most left for the coast. As did the 16 Vestal Virgins.

[@jerickson725]

I must say when you did this, I was quite surprised that you didn't know it was an song with lyrics! I loved your reaction. Not for a another reaction, but I hope you take time to listen to the original from 1967 when Gary was only 22 yrs. old. I don't think it sounds that much different because his voice is so distinct, but I love his matured voice nearly 40 years later too. Thanks Basil for another great choice; this is one I would have requested at some point in time!

[@infin8reactions]

Haha I had no clue, always thought it was an instrumental

[@bazkeen]

Definitely a beautiful version

[@greggbradford2307]

Now you know the master of the song;-) A face to the voice, but thank you for sharing the commercial this song was used in. I'm in America and never knew that after listening to this song 50 years, thank you man!!! And that's actually a very very short version... a few more verses you never get to hear

[@shark5919]

Song sounds better when covering both ears with my earphones! Too used to using one ear from my days as a sonar tech on a submarine. 2 ears are better than 1 !!

[@infin8reactions]

Haha definitely mate

[@kirsh2036]

I.Love.This.Song.

[@anne-mariesindruprix4792]

The soundtrack of my youth. Nice reaction - thanks. When asked what song he wished that he had written, Paul McCartney answered "A Whiter Shade of Pale" !! Some are talking about good danish oboists - I can second that - and draw your attention to a couple of other reaction possibilities: This orchestra is widely renowned for it's ability to play filmmusic - so I can recommend their version of "The good, the bad and the ugly" by Morricone - and another anthem by Morricone is "Gabriels Oboe" - I highly recommend the version with the Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra - and Henrik Goldschmidt as the solooboist. This version has several million Y viewings on YT. Henrik is one of the best oboists there is!! You have a new subscriber - 🥰

[@debsuk8249]

I'm so surprised that you'd never heard this beautiful and famous 1960s song in full before...good reaction though!

[@infin8reactions]

I heard it on an advert but never with lyrics lol

[@debsuk8249]

@@infin8reactions this song was on the playlist of V from BTS in his recent drive vlog! He knew some of the lyrics and belted them out while driving, clearly loves it 😂

[@valogden]

Such a beautiful song and beautifully sung. I'm going to drop a name again for an artist that is amazing. Adam Lambert has a beautiful voice and is the voice in a billion that can sing the songs of Queen effortlessly.

[@spacefanatic]

Loved the song when it came out but love this one more as there is more depth in it with the orchestra. Gary Brooker still sounded just as good as he did on the original studio version in the sixties.

[@arnodobler1096]

6:10 that hurts 😭😭

[@alanneel1369]

that is a bad ass jason mask a black light bulb in that would be cool

[@infin8reactions]

Lol, il bear that in mind lol

[@carolhayar3037]

Hello - new subscriber. There are many misconceptions surrounding the meaning of the song - see kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpeaZIutn798fLM for the interview w-writer Keith Reid & composer/lead singer Gary Brooker, founder of the band began in '67 who passed away in Feb. 2022. It is also said that Reid was "going to reveal the true meaning before he died" but he died before he explained anything. Many people believe it was about a drunken one-night stand. Procol Harum is supposed to have been the name of a friend's cat - the name is a mis-spelling of the Latin phrase Procul Harun (roughly meaning "far beyond these things"), or that it was a corruption of Procellarm, a vast ocean on the Moon. It was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's "Sleepers, Wake!" and "Air on the G String" but contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach although it makes references to both pieces. As per Reid, the line "as the miller told his tale" is definitely not a reference to Chaucer's Miller's Tale. Reid has repeatedly explained he'd never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale. In Roman Times Vestal Virgins were priestesses and acquired their name after Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home to keep the home fires burning. It was their duty to not only remain a virgin for 30 years but they were to keep Vesta's sacred fire burning. This is the Danish National Concert Orchestra, filmed by Ledreborg Castle in Denmark.

[@basskidjoshua9241]

React to more steveterreberry

[@lazerx1828]

An amazing song, the lyrics seem so random and strange, but it's about a drunken seduction of an unnamed woman who leaves him afterwards.

[@martinbell4364]

Is this guy for real

[@infin8reactions]

Who?

[@bazkeen]

what? 😋

[@infin8reactions]

@@bazkeen who is on first base? 😂😂😂😂

[@bazkeen]

@@infin8reactions But why is on second base 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@infin8reactions]

@@bazkeen who? 😂😂😂😂

[@ge0rgeharris218]

This is not classical it's Baroque, the period before classical!