Procol Harum - "Homburg" (1967)

Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in the 1960s, who contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Although noted for its baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces the blues, R&B and soul.

Homburg was Procol Harum's follow-up single to their initial 1967 hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Written by pianist Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid, "Homburg" reached number 5 in the UK charts.

Reid's "Homburg" lyrics contains the same surreal, dream-like imagery and feelings of resignation and futility as in the debut single. The music also features Matthew Fisher's rich and deep Hammond organ, but the piano and guitar have bigger places in the overall sound. The theme is not as clearly Bach-like as in "A Whiter Shade of Pale"; nevertheless, the single was, on its release, criticised for being too similar to its predecessor.

The B side of the single is "Good Captain Clack" which was taken from the album Procol Harum.

In April 1967, Brooker began working as a singer/songwriter and formed Procol Harum with non-Paramounts Keith Reid (poet), Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, guitarist Ray Royer and bassist David Knights. Guy Stevens, their original manager, named the band after a friend's Burmese cat. The name has been said to be Latin for "beyond these things", but the correct Latin translation of "beyond these things" is Procul His. Alternatively, the name has been translated as "of these far off things" (harum is in the feminine, genitive, plural). However, procul would not be followed by a genitive in Latin. The name of the band is frequently misspelled; often with Procul, Harem, both, or other variations.

At Olympic Studios, with session drummer (and non-Paramount) Bill Eyden, producer Denny Cordell, and sound engineer Keith Grant, the group recorded "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and officially released on 12 May 1967. With the sudden success of this single and The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin", their label Deram Records became known as a premier progressive rock label.

With a structure reminiscent of Baroque music, a countermelody based on J.S. Bach's cantata no.140 by Fisher's Hammond organ, Brooker's soulful vocals and Reid's mysterious lyrics, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached #1 on the British charts — extraordinary for a debut release. It did almost as well in the United States, reaching #5. In Australia, it was #1 for many weeks, setting a record of 8 weeks at #1 in Melbourne. In the years since, it has become an enduring classic, placing on several polls of the best songs ever.

After "A Whiter Shade of Pale" became a hit, the band set out to consolidate their studio success by touring; their live debut was opening for Jimi Hendrix in 1967.

The group's follow-up single, "Homburg", with a lineup change of former Paramounts B.J. Wilson on drums and Robin Trower on guitar, reached #6 in the UK, but was not a hit in the USA. The LP Procol Harum was recorded soon between the two hit singles, but was held back until early 1968 and in mono and phony stereo, which was unusual by that time). A series of singles charted lowly in the US and UK, though rarely both at the same time. A Salty Dog (1969; see 1969 in music) was popular among fans, and was their first album to sell well in the UK; it is still regarded as one of their finest albums. The title track in particular gained a good deal of US FM radio airplay, with Reid's ominous lyrics in the forefront. However, Fisher, who produced this album, departed the band soon after its release.

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[TheBacmaster]

By the way, the phrase "take off your homburg" means take off your "hat".

[PatJennings95]

HOMBURG* i hate to be a bitch but that's how it's spelled

[TheBacmaster]

@PatJennings95 Not a problem at all. I thank you for pointing that out. I have been making a few here and there. If it's not Wiki it's me.

Regards from Joe

Seasons Greetings!

[TheBacmaster]

@PatJennings95 Thanks again Pat. At least it's not on the video title.

[martandboo]

@kloudzjia

what an incredible lyric! and gary sings it so well!

[emt1605]

Is it just me is does it jsound a little like alice coopers only women bleed

[tangostorm]

Mitici !!!!!!

[kloudzjia]

1:02 to 1:09 thanks for posting that cool pic of the moody blues! together with procol harum my two awesome favorite bands of the 60s/70s! love justin hayward and gary brooker! what an era, fantastic song...great procol harum...

[arquivoyager2010]

the sixties are gone, but fortunately we are here and listening to so many amazing songs of that era....

[italianfl]

Some people say homburg is a coat I always thought it was a hat so I searched it out on gooogle. Its a hat people.

[MrCrispian]

In 60's & 70's a homburg was a long coat a ww1 dark green.niel in the young ones wore one.....to see one type niel young ones "kitty"

[norend1954]

This is another brilliant follow up of 'Whiter Shade of Pale'...simply awesome

[TheBigdrob1]

Homburg is a type of hat.

[152jasper]

one of the all time greats. better than a whiter shade.