GRAND HOTEL

How come Procol Harum have so few reviews? I'm not expecting them to be in the top league among proggers, but at least I always thought they are very widely known. Shine On Brightly (68) is a milestone in prog as it has side-long 'In Held 'Twas in I'. What everyone knows are of course songs like 'Whiter Shade of Pale' and 'A Salty Dog'. They made an album each year up to 75's poor Procol's Ninth; I pick this one to be their best. Earlier albums have both great songs and some rough bluesy or rocking numbers I've never liked, whereas Grand Hotel is an elegant, well produced work easy to enjoy. Fisher's and Trower's absence may indeed have more pros than cons at this point. Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid are in good shape here, and the sound is tidy and orchestral.

My favourite tracks are the grandiose title song, romantically naiive and simple 'A Rum Tale' and 'Fires (Which Burnt Brightly)' with a soprano guest voice and classical music flavour. I'm hesitating between 3 and 4 stars: as some tracks have faded from my memory I suppose 3+ will do. But no prog fan should ignore them as one-or-two- hits-dinosaurs.