"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer
Original Video: • Procol Harum - A White...
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This is a reaction video used to educate and give feedback related to the artist and the song.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER.

[@keithkerr6869]

Since there is no video of Bach or Beethoven available - I am going to go ahead and say that this 2006 performance is the greatest LIVE musical performance that I have ever seen. This is a truly Iconic song & Gary never sounded better - mix in the choir, organ and the National Symphony Orchestra and it is pure magic!!!

[@JEmmertz]

A Whiter Shade of Pale was a masterpiece when it first came, and this performance adds layers upon layers of sweet goodness to it.

[@cindipossidento5688]

The oboe and organ got to me. Gary’s voice was absolutely stunning.

[@lavenderbluemama953]

Oh my gosh, the first time I heard this version, I cried. And all subsequent listens still give me goosebumps. This song came out 2 years before I was born & I don't think I heard it very often on the radio, but enough that when the organ came in, I remembered & was transported back in time. Whenever I hear grand orchestral or choral music in any song it gives me a glimmer of hope for humanity. At our best we are capable of things such as these. It reminds me to each day strive to be a better version of myself, rather than trudging through life barely surviving the onslaught of daily news. Which is how I find myself here!

[@mgalego4729]

I got tears in my eyes when I first saw this video, years ago…

[@cindipossidento5688]

I cried like a baby when I saw this video……. Just blew me away. I had heard this song as a young teen, but appreciate it so much more now. My father bought a Hammond organ back in the day, I wish he was alive at the time this song was released, he would have loved it ….. RIP, Dad, and Gary Brooker

[@brentabbott3954]

This version of this song being played live always hits the feels.

[@kms250]

Like a fine wine Gary’s rendition here aged finely! One for the ages!

[@johnthegreek5836]

You take a classic rock song from 1968/1969, add an orchestra and choir and it becomes an amazing masterpiece

[@sst3d]

Not sure about you…I’m 68 years old. I’ve seen and done some terrible things…I’ve seen and done some wonderful things..I can’t remember crying about any of it…this version of this song makes me shed a tear or two every time. A+ reaction,sir …well done

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. Man, that song takes me right back to 1967 when it was released. It gives me tears of nostalgia.

[@mentalwedgee]

I'm an old FOH guy, and you know what I mean when I say there are moments that transcend a "performance." This was one of those moments that can only be defined as magic.

[@michaelgwfrogwelge]

The orchestral arrangement was added to their repertoire in 1971 and first recorded in Canada with the Edmonton Symphony. It blew my mind then 🙃and still blows me way... 😎

[@cottontopprintshop452]

😶What is it about this song?! I've watched 4 reactors do this in a row and I still tear up every single time! Is it the Music, the lyrics, the organ, the choral singers, the strings, his voice??!! I just Love this and yet can hardly listen to it and not cry!

[@wpollock1]

Yes....same here. I think it is the sheer beauty of the song and performance.

[@kevino4846]

Considering that Gary Brooker was 60 years old there, this is the best performance of their song. It would be pretty rare to have a singer and his song sound better at 60 than at 20, but this is what he achieved. His older voice had a timbre that couldn't be found in twenty-something vocal cords. Truly remarkable performance. RIP Gary

[@williamthornton609]

Why does this always bring tears? RIP Gary

[@naknaksdadn572]

This is certainly one for the ages!

[@sammy2840]

I tear up every time I hear this! Just magnificent! His voice cuts through with perfect pitch! Wow!❤

[@StrateleStudios]

Yes!

[@erickvermeulen9734]

Loved your expression at the start, the orchestra plays so beautiful. And when Gary Brooker starts to sing, I get tears in my eyes every time.

[@paulkossak7761]

Must have watched this video 100 times since i first saw it about 5 years ago. Epic!

[@Duh6666666]

He's still got it, what a performance!

[@Straydogger]

R.I.P. Gary Brooker.

[@davidrauh8118]

This entire concert, which I have on DVD, is fabulous. Their version of Conquistador, A Salty Dog, Simple Sister and Grand Hotel are second to none.

[@Undefinedsoundscapes]

There are songs that are timeless. This is one of them.

[@barrysustins2589]

RIP Gary Brooker

[@user-ht9pq5gf2c]

Listen to "A Salty Dog" and "An Old English Tale" from the same concert. Brilliant !.

[@Royal_BLT]

🇨🇦 1967's anthem ! Two things ! 1) #InMyHumbleOpinion the Best music created, written, played, or sung in the last Century, was performed between 1959 & 1989 ! #BoomersRock 2) The Danish National Symphony Orchestra holds many of these concerts and some are outdoors like this one ! They often include invited guests like the British Rock Band, Procol Harum ! The DNSO consists of over 70 Choir members and over 100 Musicians ! Second only to this song is Procol Harums "Conquistador" ! 🇨🇦

[@betmo]

agreed...once in awhile a song stands out after that...but the sheer volume of great music will never be matched

[@steve-qe1sv]

Was love from age 14 on a transistor radio to age 73 on high tech headphones. This was amazing!

[@gregharmon3797]

This song is so beautiful it makes you want to cry

[@StrateleStudios]

Totally with you in that!

[@tommyzoo]

every time I hear this song it completely fills me with emotion and I end up feeling a mixture of pride in the music and composition but also a strange sadness that I cannot explain. Absolutely love how they composed it and as has been said many times the mix of the band, the orchestra and the choir is perfection. Great reaction, thank you so much

[@jimwebster7317]

I too have enjoyed this masterpiece before. Beautiful rendition. I hope some of your younger fans can appreciate this true classic. Thanks Jeff

[@jahl14]

A salty dog. Same venue is awesome!

[@jjackflash8907]

There is nothing like a Hammond organ and Leslie speakers.

[@bjm9071]

Better than the original which I loved since I was 10 years old.

[@willowen1221]

Grew up in the UK listening to some iconic bands. This tune tops the list for me. A classic❤

[@user-tg6iy6jc7d]

Легендарное произведение!!! Вспомнил свою молодость.Спасибо Вам за память об этой группе.С Уважением и приветом из Санкт-Петербурга!!! Россия.

[@daleennis3140]

He was a genius,you ought to hear him do the Salty Dog,at the same concert!

[@brendahipsher273]

Yes, I agree. Thank you. East Tennessee, USA. ❤

[@miltonslocum8957]

I was in college when this came out and I've loved ever since. The orchestral arrangement and choir just takes it to another level. And Gary's voice is not only strong but brings a certain gravitas to this beautiful classic song. Bravo👏👏

[@davidlevine1697]

this concert video, IMO, is one of the best ever. this song is one in particular that i can remember the first time i heard it being played. it was Christmas time and i was at Ye Olde Leather shop in Wilmington VT getting fitted for a suede leather jacket with stars on the cuffs that i was buying for myself. it was snowing and the entire village was decorated with gold lights for the holidays. i love how music can evoke such fond memories decades later. its one reason i like reaction videos. they let me relive that excitement and joy vicariously through KZbinrs like yourself. does anyone else get the chills when they hear an oboe? i find it to be one of my favorite sounds. that and french or english horns. so mellow sounding. for me, their best album is A Salty Dog. i would love to hear Leonid and Friends cover this with their orchestral friends in tow? tyvm for posting. ☮❤🙏

[@StrateleStudios]

I love stories like this, thank you for sharing! 🫶

[@davidlevine1697]

@@StrateleStudios thanks. at 72 years old, and having spent the 60s, 70s and 80s seeing some of the most iconic artists of the time live, it just brings back so many memories. music really is the catalyst for me when it comes to remembering the little things that made the years of my youth what they were. we lived day to day waiting for the next LP to drop. in our house if you wanted anything musical, it would eventually show up. records, tapes, concert tickets, record players, cassette recorders, even instruments. my dad whose day job (after he had kids) was a professional musician worked in the construction business to support his family. he would take side jobs at night or on weekends for extra money. i remember he was putting a new floor in a music store and he bartered with the owner for instruments. he came home with 3 accordions. small, medium and large. he told us to learn how to play so we could be the hit of the party and get girls. we thought he was nuts. rock and roll was on the rise and we thought that was so square. all we knew at the time about accordion music was the Lawrence Welk Show. little did i know that zydeco would become a huge genre years later, and that made the accordion hip. lol living in remote rural VT sometimes we had to wait weeks to get our hands on new releases . when my dad started to travel for work that ended. he would always come home on Fridays with the latest 45 RPMs s that were rising in the AM charts. at Christmas time he would go to Korvettes record store in NYC and buy a stack of 20 or 30 albums ( they were $2/pc back then) put them under the tree, and tell my brothers and i to just divvy them up between us. he knew what each of us liked and wished for, so i don't remember ever fighting over them with my brothers. KZbin has helped us all to relive those times, and its a place to find some of the most obscure recordings of the time. ☮

[@charlesallison146]

Even if you didn't like the song you would still have to love the arrangement...

[@SandraJones-py1bd]

One of my all time favorite songs and performances.

[@melissakhalar1842]

Rest in Peace Mr Gary Brooker.

[@fgrady1]

Just watching your reactions is satisfaction enough for me meeting you. Yes, I’m in total agreement, this is a superlative version. I believe it was in the nineties I saw Gary do PH’s most revered songs while he toured in Ringo’s All Star band. A real treat! Since you loved that performance, I have to recommend “A Salty Dog” from the same concert, live in Denmark in 2006. It’s my all time favorite Procol Harum song and the orchestra and choir here just make the arrangement soar!

[@gozirraizroose]

I've seen this video a lot of times and it always moves me. Such a great rendition.

[@ADC.Guitar]

Always punctual and indispensable! Good boy!!!👍

[@pepevisedo7304]

An exceptional song, an emotional performance by Gary Brooker and memories from all those years ago... It's satisfying to do it every once in a while. Totally agree with you, Jeff.

[@paulsullivan1650]

This was John Lennon's favorite song when it was released. He used to play the record in the back of his Rolls Royce limo on the portable turntable he had put into the back of the driver's seat...

[@johnwinton2209]

Our watched it, as all music lovers do. In awe, and in appreciation of what you are seeing, and hearing. It is one of the best live performances, of all time.

[@patricklemeur4607]

MERCI de nous rappeler ce succès phénoménal!..vous êtes un connaisseur ! ok GARY ..

[@ullikause8849]

Besser geht es nicht ! 👍👍👍👍👍 Grüße aus Heisingen (Germany)

[@1videonut]

Now you need to follow this up with the live version of “Salty Dog” from this same concert. Another true masterpiece.

[@Straydogger]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@user-xn9vs4pe9s]

This is just magical. 50 years after it was recorded, this version is a masterpiece.

[@mastercez]

Thank you, Sir1

[@margaritabosschaerts8851]

I first heard this song 50 years ago and It still brings back beautiful memories.Thank you so much ,if you can,listen to Nights in White satín.Greetings from Mallorca❤

[@sammy2840]

Love your reviews, by the way! You are a musician and know not to talk over music! Thanks!

[@StrateleStudios]

Thank you Sammy!

[@misemefein-ws6tp]

You really need to listen to the original record to get the full impact. I can still recognise it from the first few notes. Please listen to the original version😊

[@sandrisjansons1515]

Harmonically organ epic part reminds Bach's Air on a G string.

[@betmo]

something told me you'd enjoy this one ;) ❤

[@dagmar.6954]

Love this song. I actually prefer the studio version from the 60's as it is the one I grew up on. This live version is very good though as it shows how powerful Gary Brooker's voice was even as he got older. "Conquistador" is another great song by Procol Harum. Sad to hear of his passing recently.

[@JT-wn7wb]

Heartfelt performance! Thank you!!

[@MrBFC3]

Rest in peace Gary. The strings definitely enhanced the already sad and ethereal lyrics of the song. Choir was good. I guess Lennon used to get.... happy and listen to this over and over and over. Yeah you're hooked into the story with the opening lyrics and just want to keep listening... happy or not. But a great performance of a truly iconic song. 🎹🍷💙

[@richardtodd7295]

Triggers memories that fit into my pre 1995 set of standards. Outstanding video. Thank you for this great request.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Epic.

[@user-vk5qn2sq4w]

Спасибо тебе за твою доброту и душевность.

[@gregharmon3797]

I was going to request this one, one of my favorite songs

[@maryhayes3177]

This is Gary Brooker, died March 2022. They had other big hits as well if you would like to look them up. FROM UK

[@deanwimbridge9318]

Classic 👏

[@JaykleMusic]

One of the greatest songs ever written I love it!!!!

[@barryanderson3910]

Great reaction, Jeff. I see this is frequently acclaimed as their best performance of this song. Other than hearing this song many times when it came out, I didn't know a whole lot about Procol Harem. Looking at the lyrics again, I really could not follow the story. Then I did a search and found that due to the length of the song, two of the original verses were dropped. After reading them, I was more confused than ever. Maybe it's just my age. Anyway, the article I read brought out some interesting facts about the song and the group. Do a search on - A Whiter Shade of Pale hits 50: a 10-point guide to its riddles - to read the article.

[@MrTails36]

King Curtis’ version of this live at Fillmore West is worth a listen as well

[@carolhayar3037]

SOME BACKGROUND: The concert was filmed at the Ledreborg Castle in Denmark w-the Royal Danish Concert Orchestra. It has been "the most-played song in public places for more than 75 years." There have been some misconceptions surrounding the meaning of the song - see kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpeaZIutnr98fLM for the interview w-composer/lead singer Gary Brooker & writer Keith Reid. Gary was founder of the band begun in '67; Gary passed away in February of 2022, Keith passed in March of 2023. 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. Contrary to popular belief, the song is not a direct copy or paraphrase of any music by Bach but was inspired by & does reference Bach's "Sleepers, Wake!" and "Air on the G String!" 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 had never read The Canterbury Tales when he wrote A Whiter Shade of Pale. Procol Harum is said to be 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. In Roman Times Vestal Virgins were priestesses and acquired their name after Vesta. the goddess of the hearth and home. It was their duty to not only keep the home fires burning but to also remain a virgin for 30 years. AMAZING SONG - AMAZING GARY! COURT CASE: Matthew Fisher, a founding member and the organist of Procol Harum, won a High Court battle over who wrote “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” He played organ on the 1967 recording of the hit, which was long credited to lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid, and Fisher argued that he wrote the distinctive organ melody. And on December 20, 2006, Justice William Blackburne ruled that Fisher was entitled to 40 percent of the copyright. Fisher had wanted half (50%) but the court decided that lead singer Gary Brooker’s input was more substantial.

[@Grammichal]

Check out a live concert of Pavarotti and James Brown singing “It’s A Man’s World!

[@sigrid129]

I was there, I’m a Danish woman and you could probably hear my panties hit the floor. 😊

[@ljcor1899]

Amazing masterpiece!

[@ridgemanron]

The only production of a song that I can compare this to is 'McArthur Park', also performed before a full orchestra with Richard Harris doing the lead vocals. I believe it went all the way up to #2 in the charts.

[@bjebel1]

Concert: 2006 Denmark

[@vexvanquish]

Great video always have loved this song since I was a child, thank you great reaction ...... I would love you to react to a song which changed my life forever.. this guy is going to change a lot of peoples lives like he has helped and changed mine, he sings about Religion, Faith, Mental illness, Hope & Humanity in a very honest way, please please please could you react to REN - "HI REN" he is a producer, musician and he did this video all in one take. welcome to the rabbit hole of REN🐇

[@StrateleStudios]

Go to my playlists and you’ll see one for Ren. I did a ton from him! 😊

[@vexvanquish]

@@StrateleStudios man I am on my way! see you around + 1 sub ☺

[@StrateleStudios]

@@vexvanquish 🫶

[@howieharkema8576]

🤍💛🧡💗💚💙💜🤎🖤✌

[@williamwallace5857]

Should have went for the original studio version first.

[@rayholstein7108]

Couldn't hide your emotions could you?

[@StrateleStudios]

Don’t try to 😊

[@reviewer8778]

could you put the youtube ad in a worse place? I think not.

[@StrateleStudios]

KZbin is great at that 👎