Exotic Birds and Fruit

Last updated

Exotic Birds and Fruit
Procol Harum Exotic birds and fruit.jpg
Studio album by
Procol Harum
ReleasedApril 1974
Recorded1973–1974
Studio AIR, London
Genre Progressive rock, symphonic rock
Length37:00
Label Chrysalis
Producer Chris Thomas
Procol Harum chronology
Grand Hotel
(1973)		Exotic Birds and Fruit
(1974)		 Procol's Ninth
(1975)
Singles from Exotic Birds and Fruit
  1. "Nothing but the Truth"
    Released: 1974
  2. "As Strong as Samson"
    Released: 1974
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Rolling Stone (not rated) [2]

Exotic Birds and Fruit is the seventh studio album by British progressive rock band Procol Harum. [3] It was released in 1974. [4] The cover artwork for the album is by Jakob Bogdani, a noted Hungarian artist whose paintings centered on exotic birds and fruit.

Contents

In Argentina, the album was titled Pájaros Y Frutas Exóticas (literally translated as "Birds and Exotic Fruit").

Recording

Collaborating again with producer Chris Thomas, Procol Harum recorded the album at George Martin's AIR Studios in London. According to singer/songwriter/piano player and bandleader Gary Brooker, the album was recorded in reaction to the two preceding albums which used extensive orchestration. Brooker stated, "We made the live album with an orchestra. We'd then taken the orchestra into the studio for 'Grand Hotel'...we'd had enough of orchestras". [5]

The album features the song "Butterfly Boys", written about the founders of the band's record label at the time, Chrysalis. The band were unhappy with the terms of their contract and expressed that frustration in song.

Reception

Exotic Birds and Fruit met with a good critical reception [6] but only rose to No. 86 on the Billboard album charts. [7] In Denmark, it peaked at #9 upon release, and in early 1975 it re-entered the Top 20 peaking at #19. [8] The album was preceded by the single release of the opening track, "Nothing but the Truth", backed with the single-only B-side track "Drunk Again".

2009 Salvo reissue

In 2009 Salvo reissued Procol Harum's entire discography on CD remastered by Nick Robbins. The reissue for Exotic Birds and Fruit included two bonus tracks selected by Brooker and Keith Reid. "Drunk Again", the B-side to the single "Nothing but the Truth", appeared on CD along with an alternate mix of "As Strong as Samson".

Track listing

All music by Gary Brooker, all lyrics by Keith Reid.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Nothing but the Truth"3:13
2."Beyond the Pale"3:03
3."As Strong as Samson"5:05
4."The Idol"6:38
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."The Thin End of the Wedge"3:44
6."Monsieur R. Monde"3:40
7."Fresh Fruit"3:05
8."Butterfly Boys"4:25
9."New Lamps for Old"4:07
Bonus tracks on 2000 and 2009 reissue:
No.TitleLength
10."Drunk Again" (B-side)4:31
11."As Strong as Samson" (single version)3:46
Bonus tracks on 2004 reissue:
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."The Blue Danube" Johann Strauss II; arranged by Gary Brooker9:12

Personnel

Procol Harum

Production

Charts

Chart (1974)Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) [9] 82
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts) [10] 16
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [11] 38
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [12] 12
US Billboard 200 [13] 86

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
Spain 1974 Chrysalis Records stereo LP 63 07 531
North America 2004 Friday Music remastered CD Friday Music 1021

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Procol Harum</span> British rock band

Procol Harum were an English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. Their best-known recording is the 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", one of the few singles to have sold more than 10 million copies. Although noted for their baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music is described as psychedelic rock and proto-prog with hints of the blues, R&B, and soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Whiter Shade of Pale</span> 1967 single by Procol Harum

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is a song by the English rock band Procol Harum that was issued as their debut record on 12 May 1967. The single reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June and stayed there for six weeks. Without much promotion, it reached number 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100. One of the anthems of the 1967 Summer of Love, it is one of the most commercially successful singles in history, having sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. In the years since, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has become an enduring classic, with more than 1,000 known cover versions by other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Brooker</span> English singer and pianist (1945–2022)

Gary Brooker was an English singer and pianist, and the founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum.

<i>Procol Harum</i> (album) 1967 studio album by Procol Harum

Procol Harum is the debut studio album by English rock band Procol Harum. It was released in September 1967 by record label Deram in the US, following their breakthrough and immensely popular single "A Whiter Shade of Pale". The track does not appear on the UK version of the album, but was included on the US issue. The UK version of the album was released in December 1967 by record label Regal Zonophone.

<i>The Prodigal Stranger</i> 1991 studio album by Procol Harum

The Prodigal Stranger is the tenth studio album by Procol Harum, released in 1991. Recorded after a 14-year break, it met with an underwhelming response from listeners but served to kick off a largely successful reunion for the band.

<i>Shine On Brightly</i> 1968 studio album by Procol Harum

Shine On Brightly is the second studio album by English rock band Procol Harum, released in 1968 by record labels Regal Zonophone and A&M.

<i>Home</i> (Procol Harum album) 1970 studio album by Procol Harum

Home is Procol Harum's fourth album, released in 1970. With the departure of organist Matthew Fisher and bassist David Knights, and the addition of bassist/organist Chris Copping to the remaining core roster of players, Procol Harum became, to all intents and purposes, the Paramounts again in all but name. The purpose of bringing in Copping was to return some of the R&B sound to the band that they had had with their previous incarnation.

<i>A Salty Dog</i> 1969 studio album by Procol Harum

A Salty Dog is the third studio album by English rock band Procol Harum, released in 1969 by record labels Regal Zonophone and A&M.

<i>Broken Barricades</i> 1971 studio album by Procol Harum

Broken Barricades is the fifth studio album by English rock band Procol Harum, released the same week they began their U.S. tour, on 3 April 1971. The UK release was on 11 June 1971. It was guitarist Robin Trower's last recording with the group until The Prodigal Stranger (1991).

<i>Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra</i> 1972 live album by Procol Harum

Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, by the English band Procol Harum together with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, was released in 1972; it was recorded at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on 18 November 1971. The album reached No. 7 in Canada and was very successful on the Billboard Top 200, peaking at No. 5. It is the band's best-selling album, certified Gold by the RIAA. The live version of "Conquistador" from this album became a popular hit on both pop and progressive radio in the United States and reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, and the top 10 in several other countries.

<i>Grand Hotel</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Procol Harum

Grand Hotel is the sixth studio album by Procol Harum. Released in 1973, it signalled a change of direction for the band. Guitarist Dave Ball, who had joined the band for their live album the previous year, left shortly after the photo shoot for the proposed album's cover, to be replaced by Mick Grabham. Grabham's head was superimposed on the front and back cover of the album on Ball's body. Although the band had gone through significant personnel changes in previous years, the band would enter its most stable phase with this lineup.

<i>Procols Ninth</i> 1975 studio album by Procol Harum

Procol's Ninth is the eighth studio album by Procol Harum, and was released in August 1975. Produced by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Procol's Ninth featured a slightly different direction from the previous album, with a much starker sound than Chris Thomas's more elaborate productions. According to an interview with guitarist Mick Grabham, conducted by Roland Clare for the 2009 reissue, Leiber and Stoller focused less on the production sound and more on "the structure of the songs". The band appeared on the cover of the album in a straightforward unassuming photograph, mirroring the sound of the album itself. The cover featured simulations of each band member's signature.

<i>Something Magic</i> 1977 studio album by Procol Harum

Something Magic is the ninth studio album by Procol Harum, and was released in 1977.

<i>The Long Goodbye</i> (Procol Harum album) 1995 studio album by various artists

The Long Goodbye is an orchestral album of Procol Harum music that was released in 1995. The album was produced by longtime Procol Harum vocalist/pianist/songwriter Gary Brooker, and among the various musicians who contributed to the album are Procol Harum members Robin Trower and Matthew Fisher. The main performers on the album are the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with one track performed by Sinfonia of London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conquistador (Procol Harum song)</span> 1967 song by Procol Harum

"Conquistador" is a song by the English rock band Procol Harum. Written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, it originally appeared on the band's 1967 self-titled debut album. It was later released as a single from the band's 1972 live album Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. It is one of the band's most famous and popular songs and their third Top 40 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 16.

<i>Procol Harum – In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir</i> 2009 live album by Procol Harum

In Concert with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and Choir, by Procol Harum, is a live album released 2009. It was recorded in Ledreborg Castle in Denmark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Salty Dog (song)</span> 1969 single by Procol Harum

"A Salty Dog" is a song by the English rock band Procol Harum. Written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, it was released as the lead single off the band's 1969 album A Salty Dog. It was also included on the 1972 album Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

<i>Some Long Road</i> 2014 live album by Procol Harum

Some Long Road, by Procol Harum, is a live album released on May 5, 2014 by Union Square Records. It was a 10 track album, and consists of performances recorded during Procol Harum's 2012 and 2013 tours of Europe and the United States.

<i>Novum</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Procol Harum

Novum is the twelfth and final studio album by Procol Harum, released on 21 April 2017. It is their first album in 14 years, and their only not to feature lyrics by Keith Reid. It is also the last in Gary Brooker's lifetime.

References

  1. ↑ "Exotic Birds and Fruit – Procol Harum | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ Niester, Alan (2011). "Rolling Stone : Procol Harum: Exotic Birds & Fruit : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2 June 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "Spotify - Web Player: Music for everyone". Spotify. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Spotify - Web Player: Music for everyone". Spotify. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  5. ↑ Brooker interview, Patrick Humphries 2009 for Salvo reissue of "Exotic Birds and Fruits"
  6. ↑ Patrick Humphries, 2009
  7. ↑ "Allmusic". Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  8. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 241. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  11. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Procol Harum – Exotic Birds and Fruit" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Procol Harum – Exotic Birds and Fruit". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Procol Harum Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.