Grand Hotel/Toujours L'amour/A Rum Tale/TV Caesar/A Souvenir Of London/Bringing Home The Bacon/For Liquorice John/Fires (Which Burn Brightly)/Robert's Box
Grand Hotel was the first studio release from the progressive band Procol Harum after the departure of guitarist Robin Trower to forge a solo career, so ending his bluesy rocker contributions. (US:21)
“The music on the album is still unmistakably the sound of Procol Harum. Gary Brooker´s strong voice, distinct vocal style with melodic and memorable vocal lines are as always the centre of attention, but if you focus on the instrumental side of the band's music there are great things to be discovered too.”
“Although they were prog pioneers back in the 1960s who blazed a trail for subsequent acts, by this time Procol Harum were far from the cutting edge, with even major commercial acts like Yes and Genesis being substantially more experimental. Wisely, Procol stick here to what they know best and offer a refinement of their early proto-prog style, which clearly evolves their music whilst at the same time sticking to their strengths.”
“Procol Harum always had a paradigm which ranged from ballads, soul, gospel, rock and roll held together by Brooker’s great voice and the mixture of piano and organ. In previous recordings the genres were more or less separated into individual songs. Here the mixture is more dynamic.”
“A full orchestra is used on many of the tracks, producing a baroque symph rock sound that strays closer towards straightforward progressive rock than any of the band's earlier work. The departure of guitarist Robin Trower has also spared Grand Hotel from the bluesy rockers that oddly punctuated earlier LPs.”
“This is a highly glossy and refined album very well arranged, with rich different all kinds of sounds melting piano, organ, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, symphonic orchestra, choir. There is not a single dull moment and most of the songs are highly inspired.”
“Every track is a jewel, and this one has always been one of my favourite Procol Harum LPs. Its grand on every level, magnificent perhaps, and caters to their strengths like no other. The album emanates a lush, languid, elegant decadence and despair. Brooker wrote some of his most memorable melodies for this LP, and Keith Reid penned indelible lyrics to further burn the tunes into a permanent memory.”
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