Homburg - Dearest song by Procol

To me this song is a treassure, lesser known exclusive single by Procol Harum, very reccomenndable. Very pressious and compassionate, an old classic, yet have managed to survive the test of time. Very strong lyrics which hints at Hotel Grand era Procol. A song reflecting on class, riches and an isolated time-capsul left in stand-stil. Yet brightly radient.

Can you feel the Homburg or as Gary Brooker sings

"Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your homburg
'Cause your overcoat is too long"

Edited by Icarium - July 25 2017 at 07:06

^I love Hamburg Ken, but the lyrics make about as much sense to me as "A Whiter Shade.."  But they're still two of my favorites from Procol.

Along with 'A Salty Dog' its one of my all time Procul Harum faves.. a non-lp track at the time (its on pretty much every compilation done ever since and may be on some non UK issues of the Whiter Shade of Pale/ Procul Harum S/T lp but i'm not sure. Ive got a mint, mono 7'' first press on regal zonophone which whilst not massively rare is just lovely and one of my favorite singles in my collection. Just trying to remember whats on the 'B' side.. I don't get my singles out much (as I don't tend to play them).. is it 'the milk of Human Kindness'?? i'll go and check when ive got a spare moment..

I love Homburg...and Procol's non-lp released singles...and Procol's lp released songs...and 

I love early Barclay James Harvest but a couple of songs on the 1st S/T lp 1970 have a sound (particularly the orchestration and arrangements) that sound a bit too much like Procol Harem and in particular the tracks 'The sun will never shine' and 'when the world was woken'.. lovely, but a couple of years behind PH.. and of course nothing can touch Keith Reid's lyrics!

Yeah it is. The piano makes me think it's going to burst into the theme from Superman when I first heard it.
And of course the choruses near the end of the song increase in an intensity that isn't distorted or screaming, just heightened.

That's an lp that I used to hear a lot and one I have fond memories of  despite not hearing for 30 years (not an EJ fan otherwise) but 'Skyline Pigeon' in particular I remember and will check it out again.

I remember it being a minor hit in OZ.....obviously after White Shade of Pale...yes, I am that old.

It is a great song but I reckon that As Strong As Samson from 1974's Exotic Birds and Fruit is an even more powerful track than Homburg. I just love As Strong As Samson.


Edited by BarryGlibb - July 28 2017 at 05:05

Yep Procol had some great songs. Can't really beat Salty Dog for me and also Pandora's Box is another good un.