Procol Harum - Shine On Brightly

Shine On Brightly is the second studio album by British progressive rock and symphonic rock band Procol Harum, released in September 1968 via Regal Zonophone and A&M Records.

For a group that lived their life in the shadow of their debut single, (“A Whiter Shade Of Pale”) Procol Harum released some music of remarkable quality. Shine On Brightly is regarded by many as the group's best album. It is certainly their most influential.

Although produced by Denny Cordell, it is clear that the young assistant producer, Tony Visconti and engineer Glyn Johns have their fingerprints all over it. “Quite Rightly So” and the title track are masterpieces of organ-driven, symphonic rock.

“Skip Softly (My Moonbeams)” is very much a product of its era, but much better is “Wish Me Well”, one of the group's most explicit nods to their R & B roots.

The album is dominated by the epic “In Held Twas I”. It encapsulates the period's hope and opulence. With Keith Reid's frequently impenetrable but deeply poetic words, it is something grand sounding even grander.

Gary Brooker's vocals are tremendous throughout, again making a case for him being one of the most underrated vocalists in the UK pop history. With Robin Trower's unobtrusive guitar and Matthew Fisher's organ, the Procol Harum sound is one of the most definable of the late 60s.

The members of Procol Harum that recorded this album were:

• Gary Brooker – piano and vocals
• Keith Reid – lyrics
• Matthew Fisher – organ
• B.J. Wilson – drums
• Robin Trower – guitar, vocals
• Dave Knights - bass

Given its largesse, it was a surprise that Shine On Brightly failed to make the UK charts. However, it reached the US Top 30 and cemented their popularity in the states.

If you are unfamiliar with their oeuvre and had enough of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”, listen to this and understand why Procol Harum was so feted.

Check out the tracks: “Quite Rightly So” and “Shine On Brightly”. 

This LP record is a Music On Vinyl reissue (March 2017) on 180 gram audiophile vinyl featuring remastered audio, pressed in Europe.