Gary Brooker, of course, will always be associated with Procol Harum. Starting with A Whiter Shade of Pale and continuing with a series of classic tracks and albums, they went their own way in progressive and, at times, classical rock, resting on the secure foundations of Gary’s songwriting and expressive voice.
Brooker was well respected in the music business and often contributed to events organised by others when they needed assistance or in aid of charity. So it was fitting that when the sad time came to acknowledge Gary’s passing (in 2022), a concert was arranged in his memory. It was held at the G Live venue in Guildford, Surrey, on 4th December 2023.
This event was not purely about Gary’s work with Procol Harum. This was about the music he enjoyed and the people he could count on as friends throughout his life. Musical director Andy Fairweather Low, who had worked with Gary on previous tribute and charity events, assembled a true night of the stars. This was to have included Eric Clapton (Fairweather Low has long been a member of Clapton’s band), but he was unwell and had to miss the event.
Those who were there included Mike Rutherford (Genesis), Roger Taylor (Queen), Paul Carrack (Ace and Rutherford’s ‘other’ band Mike & the Mechanics), John Illsley (Dire Straits), and Mike Sanchez (rock and roll entertainer).
In addition, the Five Star House Band included Dave Bronze (bass), Henri Spinetti (drums – for Clapton and Ringo Starr’s All Star Band, among others), Graham Broad (another drummer), Paul Beavis (drums), Nikki Lamborn (vocals), Catherine Feeney (keyboards/guitar/vocals), Olivia Keast, Geoff Dunn (drums), Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), and Josh Phillips (Hammond organ).
The evening was enthusiastically compared by radio presenter Alex Dyke.
All were assembled for a special evening of music, despite the sad reason for it being necessary.
To open, we were taken back to Gary’s beginning with the song Poison Ivy, recorded with The Paramounts and here played by Andy Fairweather Low and his band. It’s quickly established that these are accomplished musicians who know how to have a good time. Fairweather Low is, perhaps, the cement that has held much of the music we know and love together for decades; if he were a footballer, he’d be the kind of player who is always in the side and rarely gets attention – but results suffer if he’s injured.
Mike Sanchez keeps the energy high with his pure, soulful enjoyment of classic rock and roll, bringing High School Confidential and I’m Ready (To Rock n’ Roll) to the party – yes, it’s already plain this is a party and not a wake.
Next is John Illsley, who played bass in the mega-selling Dire Straits. It is strange hearing John’s voice sing Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing. These are songs most of us have in our internal jukebox, even if we didn’t consciously install them. But that means they will have a life beyond the original recordings, and so they do fit in with the classics we’re being treated to all evening here.
Later, Andy Fairweather Low is back on stage with an acoustic version of his biggest hit as a solo artist, Wide Eyed and Legless. Fairweather Low had a run of three very well-received albums in the mid-seventies, and this performance is a reminder of his time in the spotlight. Around the same time Paul Carrack’s band Ace released the excellent How Long single, and Carrack achieved great respect in the music industry, including teaming up with Mike Rutherford in Mike and the Mechanics. Later in the set comes the introduction of Rutherford, to loud acclaim, for the Mechanics to perform The Living Years (always a song of deep emotions, with an added layer of these memories on this night) and Over My Shoulder.
After Andy Fairweather Low returns to his roots with Amen Corner for (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice, we come to the songs we have been waiting for: four Procol Harum classics.
It was wise not to make this an evening of Procol and Gary Booker solo songs. Attempts to match his style would always fall short, and so, wisely, these versions are arranged to suit the players in attendance.
Pandora’s Box features Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips and Geoff Whitehorn, and the arrangement stays close to the original. Sam’s vocals are in a similar range as Gary Brooker’s, so the Five Star Band and the featured guests perform a worthy tribute, with rich Hammond organ tones and a lightness from the flute solos.
Homburg adds Paul Carrack on vocals to the mix. This song is almost as complex as Whiter Shade and must be a challenge to sing. Carrack is a master vocalist, though, so he sounds both relaxed in the verses and subtly dramatic in the chorus.
Conquistador hands vocal duties back to Sam Tanner (not Santana, the in-joke of the evening). The band copes well with the complex string arrangement in the Procol version, playing with spirit and verve.
Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor sings A Salty Dog. He was overshadowed as a vocalist in Queen (anyone in a band with Freddie Mercury would be overshadowed). Introducing himself, he remembers Gary singing this song at Roger’s fiftieth birthday party. “I can’t sing it like he did, but who could?” Well, no one, but this is a different and reflective take on the lyric. Gary wrote complex, weaving melodies and songs with light and shade.
By way of more from Andy Fairweather Low and a celebratory Blueberry Hill by Mike Sanchez, it’s time for the evening to end. And what an ending.
The entire ensemble returned for – of course – Whiter Shade of Pale with one extra guest – Gary Brooker! This is a skilful technical achievement as we watch Gary and Procol in differing phases of their career. Gary’s vocals are blended with the live band brilliantly. This arrangement has a sax solo flowing into a beautiful guitar solo from Geoff Whitehorn. This conclusion, weaving archive footage and audio into the mix, was surely worth the price of admission alone. Andy Weather Low thanks the audience and advises them to take their tissues with them. There must have been many cases of dust in the eye.
This set serves as a memento of the event if you were fortunate enough to be there and as a memento of Gary’s life if you ever appreciated the music he made. There are two CDs, plus a Blu-ray and a DVD. The direction is first rate, capturing the onstage action without unnecessary distractions.
The video elements also include the short messages of remembrance and respect from people such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Tom Jones and Nick Mason, as well as from the charities Gary supported – this event sends contributions to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Cure Parkinson’s. There’s an especially moving tribute from Kumar Asirvatham, speaking about the role Gary played in arranging funds and support after the tsunami.
In summary, this set stands as a terrific and moving way of remembering the great Gary Brooker. We are fortunate to have such brilliant musicians sharing their talent – everyone who plays on this, and, of course, Gary Brooker himself.
And just before you go, thinking about charity, the Procul Harum fan site ‘Beyond the Pale’ are auctioning a variety of items, donated by Franky Brooker, via eBay in support of the Royal Marsden.
TRACK LISTING
Disc One
01. Poison Ivy – Andy Fairweather Low & Band
02. High School Confidential – Mike Sanchez
03. I’m Ready (To Rock N’ Roll) – Mike Sanchez
04. Sultans Of Swing – John Illsley
05. Money For Nothing – John Illsley
06. No More Fear Of Flying – Nikki Lamborn
07. Two Fools In Love – Olivia Keast & Andy Fairweather Low
08. Let Me In – Sam Tanner
09. Wall Street Blues – Nikki Lamborn
10. Wide Eyed And Legless – Andy Fairweather Low
11. How Long? – Paul Carrack
Disc Two
12. (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice – Andy Fairweather Low
13. Pandora’s Box – Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
14. Homburg – Paul Carrack, Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
15. Conquistador – Sam Tanner, Josh Phillips & Geoff Whitehorn
16. A Salty Dog – Roger Taylor
17. The Living Years – Paul Carrack & Mike Rutherford
18. Over My Shoulder – Paul Carrack & Mike Rutherford
19. Lead Me To The Water – Andy Fairweather Low & Sam Tanner
20. Gin House – Andy Fairweather Low
21. Blueberry Hill – Mike Sanchez
22. A Whiter Shade Of Pale – Gary Brooker & Ensemble
– Multi-region video Blu-ray and DVD contain the same track listing with visuals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Cherry Red Records | Esoteric Antenna
Country of Origin: UK/International
Date of Release: 29th August 2025
LINKS
Procol Harum – Website | Facebook | YouTube | Info at Cherry Red Records
