Sixties rockers Procol Harum—the band best known for 1967's "A Whiter Shade of Pale"—will release a new album April 21 via Eagle Records.
The new disc, Novum, is their first studio album in 14 years, and their 13th overall.
What's the occasion? The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. They'll even be kicking off a U.K. tour to add to the fun.
“Our last studio album was in 2003, and with 2017 being 50 years of Procol Harum, something special was needed," says Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker. "[This] has resulted in an album of new songs with the band as we’ve stood for the past decade, all contributing with producer Dennis Weinreich to make what I believe to be one of the finest Procol Harum albums ever. Just listen."
Half a century ago, the band helped define the prog-rock genre while embracing their blues and soul roots. “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” continues to be one of the best-selling singles of all time (the video below has more than 60 million views).
Besides Brooker, Procol Harum features bassist Matt Pegg (Jethro Tull, Ian Brown), drummer Geoff Dunn (Jimmy Page, Dave Stewart, Van Morrison), guitarist Geoff Whitehorn (Roger Chapman, Paul Rodgers, Roger Daltrey) and Hammond organ player Josh Phillips (Pete Townsend and Midge Ure). The cover artwork of Novum (by Julia Brown) references elements of the sleeve of their 1967 self-titled debut.
Novum sees a new direction for Procol Harum with the songs being written and created by the whole band, with most songs featuring words by Pete Brown, most famous for his songwriting collaboration with the members of Cream.
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Novum Track Listing 1. I Told on you 2.. Last Chance Motel 3.. Image of the Beast 4.. Soldier 5.. Don’t Get Caught 6.. Neighbour 7.. Sunday Morning 8,. Businessman 9.. Can’t Say That 10. The Only One 11. Somewhen
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
