CHRYSALIS YEARS 1973-1977

Nothing magic here, just another idol turned to grey. These CEMA Special Markets are usually as quiet as doormice, squeaking under the cracks and snuggling into the cutout bins. The Chrysalis Years were waning ones for the band, offering the challenge: Is there really a market for a Procol Harum compilation that didn't include "A Whiter Shade of Pale," wasn't called A Whiter Shade of Pale, and didn't have a catchy sticker on the cover that read "Including the hit A Whiter Shade of Pale?" They did hook me, for ninety-nine cents, but a tape has to sink pretty low to go for under a dollar. Obviously, there wasn't even much of a "special" market for Procol Harum's later songs, which I could have told you for free. "Pandora's Box" was the lone hit, the rest of these tracks coming from Grand Hotel, Exotic Birds, Ninth and Something Magic with favoritism for the failed singles ("Bringing Home The Bacon," "Nothing But The Truth"). I still wouldn't call myself a fan of Procol Harum, but I am curious, so the chance to sample fresh fruit for under a dollar is a temptation I'll indulge every time. While I got my money's worth, what I didn't get is the itch to dig deeper into the story. There's no fire for Grand Hotel in me, no need to hear the Ninth, and nothing enchanting about Something Magic that calls me from The Chrysalis Years. It's not unlike when I read The Mystery of Edwin Drood; I didn't know the ending and I didn't care. I feel the same about Procol Harum; it's not a story I followed that closely. If you are interested in their story, be patient. I might be selling my copy for fifty cents some time soon.