Procol Harum at Manhattan Center

Gary Brooker

The Paramounts, based in Essex, England, scored a moderate British hit in 1964. After splitting in 1966 and reforming as Procol Harum in 1967, the band immediately hit internationally with "A Whiter Shade of Pale." The song was unique in that it featured a structure reminiscent of Baroque music, a countermelody based on J.S. Bach's "Orchestral Suite N° 3 in D Major," soulful vocals and mysterious lyrics. Although Procol Harum never had a bigger hit, the development of the band's progressive rock and symphonic rock attracted greater rock audiences through the early 1970s. As popularity later waned, however, the band broke up in 1977. The brand has revived sporadically since 1991, with vocalist/pianist/composer Gary Brooker as the only original performing member.

Long-faithful fans welcomed the latest incarnation of Procol Harum to Manhattan Center tonight. The height of the band's creativity was 40 years ago, however, so fans basked in the nostalgia of a once-exciting band now far from its prime. Brooker's vocals were engaging but often sounded weak, perhaps due to several near-death accidents he suffered over recent years. "A Whiter Shade of Pale", "Conquistador" and a few other songs retained their muscle over the years, but most of the set sounded like filler. Once past the endearment showered on survivors of a creative period in classic rock, the fans faced old men who were revisiting old songs with old arrangements. Old, not classic.