both sides of the atlantic, 1967, "leaving for the coast".
Memphis boys, The Box Tops were nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1967: the first, 'Best Vocal Group Performance', for their 45, "The Letter" but also - perhaps less well remembered - 'Best Contemporary Group Performance' for their cover of Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", produced by Dan Penn.
It is Chilton's vocal, though - blacker than black - which seals this performance as something worthy of serious reinvestigation.*
Alex Chilton: lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Bill Cunningham: bass and keyboards; John Evans: guitar and keyboards; Danny Smythe: drums; Gary Talley: lead guitar.
Lyrics, of course, by Keith Reid over a J.S. Bach improvisation provided by Gary Brooker and Hammond organist, Matthew Fisher. Recorded at Olympic Studios, London. Produced by Denny Cordell; engineered by Keith Grant.
Gary Brooker, voice and piano; Matthew Fisher, Hammond organ; David Knights, bass; Ray Royer, guitar and Bill Eyden, drums.
▼ PROCOL HARUM: A WHITER SHADE OF PALE from "A Whiter Shade Of Pale b/w Lime Street Blues" 45 (Regal Zonophone / Deram) 1967 (UK)
▼ THE BOX TOPS: A WHITER SHADE OF PALE from "The Letter / Neon Rainbow" LP (Bell) 1967 (US)
* For the record, on reflection that's not entirely fair to the rest of those Tops. A solid group performance with some excellent understated guitar licks and percussion.
PURCHASE PROCOL HARUM REMASTERED + BONUS TRACKS
PURCHASE THE LETTER / NEON RAINBOW
No comments:
Post a Comment