Shine On Brightly – PROCOL HARUM****

Quite Rightly So/Shine On Brightly/Skip Softly(My Moonbeams)/Wish Me Well/Rambling On/Magdalene(My Regal Zonophone)/In Held In Twas In I

Shine On Brightly was the follow up album from British psychedelic rock band Procol Harum. Many people have mistakenly dismissed this innovative group as one hit wonders. (US:24)

"Shine on Brightly, Procol Harum's second album, is one of their finest efforts. This was released in 1968, at the height of the psychedelic 60s. Thankfully, they generally avoid anything trippy, and instead attempt to expand the frontiers of rock music, incorporating various classical elements with some rhythm & blues, which became their signature sound."

"Procol Harum's second album is extremely difficult to rate. As a whole, it's a step down from the band's excellent self-titled debut, yet when Shine On Brightly gets it right the result is arguably the finest music of the band's career. I absolutely love most of the album's first half, which consists of six shorter art rock tunes similar in style to those on their debut. Unfortunately, my enjoyment is significantly diminished by In Held Twas In I the 17+ minute experimental epic that closes the album."

"This album really starts off top notch with almost all the first half being great classic progressive psych with quality songs. The 18 minute second half is a rather odd musical kind of number with multiple parts that I rarely make it through." ,p> "For me, this marks a distinct improvement over their debut, with decidedly less commercial oriented material, which is also far more interesting, for the most part. I say this, because the overly ambitious, very long track on side two is quite inconsistent over it's length, coming in no better than above average overall, in my book. But side one is considerably stronger, and far more consistent."

"Every song on side A is nothing short of stellar, particularly Shine On Brightly. The production is fantastic and, although on a very epic scale musically, there is a melancholy prevailing and Gary Brooker's voice is in fine form. Side two with its mini suite is not quite as captivating but redeems itself with the appropriate grand finale."

"Without doubt the greatest album of Procol Harum. The outstanding suite In Held In Twas In I is a fine, diversified and interesting piece of prog rock."