The European Broadcasts, 1971 to 1977

Having helped define the 60s with A Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum's music took on a great many colours throughout the following decade, as their psychedelicised baroque pop shaded into art rock and progressive rock across such albums as Broken Barricades (1971), Procol's Ninth (1975) and their final studio release for 14 years, Something Magic (1977). Recorded for broadcast on French, British and German TV, the three performances gathered together on The European Broadcasts 1971 To 1977 find the group on enchanting form, whether delivering early classics such as 'Conquistador' and 'A Salty Dog' or pulling ever more startling tricks out of the bag on latter-day favourites 'Pandora's Box' and 'Wizard Man'. A Whiter Shade Of Pale makes an obligatory appearance, but it's testament to Procol Harum's catalogue that the performances surrounding it are just as dazzling.