The English rock group, Procol Harum, recorded this song in 1967. The groups name? It came from the Pedigreed (think formal/fancy) name of a friend's Burmese cat. Yep, really!
This was an unusual song, with a structure reminiscent of Baroque Music and was based on J.S. Bach's Orchestral Suite #3 in D Major. Matthew Fisher plays the Hammond Organ and once heard, this song is hard to forget for a couple of reasons.
First and foremost is the haunting Organ Riff that opens and sustains the song. It isnt often a rock song is based on a Bach classic! It is instantly recognizable and combines with the rather "simple" drums and unique voice of Gary Brooker, to make the song a "one of a kind". Second...and no less unique, are the cryptic lyrics that one struggles to make sense of!
The song Hit #1 in the UK as well as Australia, making it to #5 here in the USA.
The song is presented here in it's "Electronically Enhanced For Stereo" album version. The original was a mono recording and this Album was produced in a manner that tried (Not very successfully) to take advantage of the rather "new" technology of "Stereo Recording". I recorded it straight off the 1967 Album using my vintage turntable! Check it out.
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
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