*. Procol Harum .* (Japan Remaster 2012 + Bonus)

Album: Grand Hotel (1973)(Japan Remaster 2012 + 2 Bonus)
Genre: Prog Rock (Folk/Symphonic/Crossover)  /  UK

Grand Hotel is the sixth full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Procol Harum. After a couple of good but a bit mediocre albums Procol Harum returned in 1971 with the great Broken Barricades. An album that re- ignited my interest in the band. The 1972 live album Live In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra did nothing to diminish my interest as it is an excellent display of everything that´s so great about Procol Harum. The strong melodies, the clever arrangements and the impeccable musicianship. So it´s safe to say that my expectations for Grand Hotel were high. The music on the album is unmistakably the sound of Procol Harum. Gary Brooker´s strong and distinct vocals and melodic and memorable vocal lines are in center as always, but if you focus on the instrumental side of the band´s music there are wonderful things to be discovered too. The music on Grand Hotel is probably the most progressive on a Procol Harum album since Shine On Brightly (1968). The guest appearance by The Pahene Recorder Ensemble really makes the music symphonic at times and fans of symphonic prog rock should definitely check out this album. There are nine songs on the album and two bonus tracks on the CD re-release that I own. Both are single edits of album songs though so nothing really interesting there. The nine original songs are all of high quality. Take a listen to the title track with its grand sound with classical orchestration, choir singing and a waltz section or Fires (Which Burnt Brightly) which in addition to classical orchestration also features the beautiful soprano voice of Christianne Legrand. The rest of the songs are just as intriguing. I was initially put off but the kind of jolly sounding A Souvenir of London where the rythm is played with spoons and the lyrics can be interpreted as being about Venereal disease. I´ve come to enjoy this song too though. It´s nice with a bit of variation on an album. The musicianship is excellent on the album. The dominant piano and the extensive use of organ has always been trademarks in Procol Harum´s sound and those features are as dominant as ever on Grand Hotel. The departure of guitarist Robin Trower has meant that there are fewer bluesy licks in the music but new guitarist Mick Grabham is a good replacement who´s style actually suits the music a bit better IMO. The rythm section is excellent too. I greatly enjoy drummer Barrie James Wilson´s energetic style. What a great drummer. The production is professional and very well sounding. It´s by far the best sound on the first six albums by Procol Harum. 
Review by "Umur" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  8.25 / 10

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