Hey Steve: "Whiter Shade of Pale" 4-Track Shows Up

Same column involving the Roy Orbison 2 tracks showing up (in the April Stereophile) mentioned Procul Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale's 4 track showing up after 35 years of hiding, allowing for its stereo debut - hey Steve, did you get the lowdown on that???

 

Oh No, another excuse for Westside to re-re-release it!!

 

Half of the song's appeal for me is the murkiness of the sound. I don't know if I would want to hear it all clean and detailed.

 

This is good news. As much as I enjoyed the stereo alternate take, this is the real deal. Finally, the stereo debut of my favorite all-time pop recording.

Jim W.

 

Jim,

This is your favorite? You are indeed a lucky guy to be able to hear a new mix. You may end up preferring the original but what a great adventure to hear your favorite song in a new light.

John

 

John B,

This is one song for which I hope they'll never ever do an MTV video (fat chance anyway, right?). That would almost ruin it for me. The totality of the recording -- the haunting melody, Gary Brooker's vocals, Matthew Fisher's stately organ, and Keith Reid's enigmatic lyrics (yes, I'm aware that forum members have in previous threads pointed out the rather pedestrian origins of the words!) -- is just as mesmerizing to these ears today as it was when I first heard it on the radio over 30 years ago.

Jim W.

 

It is a great song. I'm looking forward to hearing it almost as much as you are.

 

Is there any mention of a release date for a new "Whiter Shade Of Pale" stereo mix? It's one of my all time favorites as well and I am really looking forward to it. The alternate take is excellent but not "the one".

 

Will Westside have the righs to release it again? The've released the first album twice--in the box set and again as a single CD?

 

Procol Harum did a video for this, it shows them in swinging London in '67 (and they never looked better) I have that video. Gary Brooker is an all time fave vocalist of mine.

 

A Whiter Shade Of Pale is one of those songs that SHOULD have had a stereo release from the beginning.

Hope they get that out to us soon.

 

also, if you've heard the stereo takes from the rest of the first album you'd know that far from detracting, they truly add to the listening experience. The mono is ok, the stereo is better (and the music is suited to a stereophonic soundstage as well)
now, about that 5.1 upcoming m/ch mix

 

I agree. How about the first SACD single?

I also agree, the weird murky mono sound is what I'm used to, but I would love to hear it in a good stereo mix...5.1 absolutely!

 

I have tickets to see PH at The Bottom Line on May, 9th. I'm psyched!

 

Who was at the drum kit? That to me is the best part of the song.

 

B.J. Wilson I think. Let's see what jamesmaya has to say.........

 

The 30th Anniversary box says:

Drums - Bill Eyden
Guitar - Ray Royer

on the stereo alternate take:

Drums - Bobby Harrison

mud-

 

That sounds better. I was going off the LP which lists B.J. Wilson only.

 

There was also an MTV video with Harry Dean Stanton playing poker (for his soul?).

 

Does anyone have the details on this one? I just hope they aren't getting confused with the alternate take available.

 

The information is correct as previously stated.The late, great, BJ Wilson & David Knights didn't join until after AWSOP was released.

 

Sorry, Larry, I was just talking about the tape itself, not who played on it.

 

I agree.