Procol Harum have, in fact, been around for the past 25 years writing music and performing countless shows. This BBC recording, however, is actually the band’s first official concert release. With a pure vintage sound, classic seventies guitar riffs and a devoted bunch of “Procoholics", this band may be the best thing since sliced bread -or perhaps Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The first track entitled “Conquistador" is a dark, energetic arrangement that uses piano, electric guitar soloing, and a Hammond organ, which is played on this album by Matthew Fisher. Singer/pianist/composer Gary Brooker has a voice resembling Robert Plant, but with his own laid-back (yet deliberate) style. He uses strong lyrics (compliments of the band’s writer Keith Reid) and well-crafted melodies to propel his voice. Although Harum have similarities to a handful of classic rock bands, they suceed in producing their own unique sound. An example is track 6, “Beyond the Pale", which explores a different style of music with a unique chord progression and “one of those beats you just can’t help nodding your head to". The fact that this album is live makes it even more authentic, although the band still maintains studio-worthy control as instrumentalists.

Betsy continues “there are still times when I am filled with woe for having to have been born into such a bleak era of music as the eighties, growing up listening to the likes of Salt n’ Peppa and the infamous New Kids, and later the bubblegum pop explosion that brought young girls everywhere to new heights(on their platform shoes, that is!). But listening to this band gave me something different to sink my teeth into, giving me a chance to visit the time of my parents and at the same time giving me a break from the sometimes painful pop music of today. I think this band has just found a new Procoholic..."